9 Tips to better serve Chinese customers in your restaurant

In today's interconnected world, providing a seamless and enjoyable payment experience is especially important for the competitive food and drink industry. With an increasing number of Chinese customers dining out globally, it becomes essential for restaurants to understand and cater to their specific payment preferences.

In this article, we will explore the importance of creating the best experience for Chinese customers, nine key strategies and best practices for serving Chinese customers in the food and drink industry.

Why is it important to provide the best experience for Chinese customers?

• Promote business growth and market expansion

The Chinese market represents a significant source of potential customers for European restaurants. With the Chinese growing middle class and increasing international travels, there are a lot of opportunities to attract Chinese tourists and other Chinese customers. 

By providing an exceptional dining experience, European restaurants can tap into this market and boost their revenue and reputation.

• Generate positive word-of-mouth and reputation

Chinese customers, like any other group of diners, appreciate excellent service and quality food. 

When Chinese customers have a positive experience, they are more likely to share it with their friends, family, and social media networks. Positive word-of-mouth can greatly influence the perception of the restaurant and attract more Chinese customers, creating a virtuous cycle of increased word-of-mouth.

• Maintain competitive advantage

The food and drink industry is highly competitive. Standing out from the competition is crucial for success. 

Restaurants that prioritize creating a great experience for Chinese customers gain a competitive advantage. They can differentiate themselves from other establishments that may not have adapted to the needs and preferences of this specific customer segment.

How to create the best payment experience for Chinese customers?

1.Accept mobile payment options

Chinese customers are known for their preference for mobile payments, especially through platforms such as WeChat Pay and Alipay. 

To cater to their needs, it's crucial for restaurants to adopt these popular payment methods. By partnering with mobile payment providers like Silkpay, restaurants can offer quick, secure, and convenient transactions, allowing Chinese customers to pay seamlessly using their preferred apps.

Integrating Silkpay into the restaurant's payment systems enables a smoother and more familiar payment process, enhancing the overall dining experience for Chinese customers.

Chinese mobile payment which is based on a simple QR code scan has become an integral part of the Chinese payment landscape. 

Restaurants can leverage this technology by integrating QR codes in menus, table tents, or receipts. Chinese customers are used to scanning the QR codes to see the menus and then pay on their phones directly.

By scanning the QR code, customers can easily access the payment interface, streamlining the payment process and reducing friction.

Discover how WeChat Pay works in-store via static QR code.

Discover how Alipay works in-store via static QR code.

Silkpay helps European restaurants integrate Chinese mobile payment in your payment methods. By partnering with Silkpay, restaurants can generate QR codes that allow Chinese customers to scan and make payments directly from their mobile phones. 

Silkpay's expertise in mobile payments and QR code technology enables your restaurants to tap into the payment habits of Chinese customers, creating a familiar and convenient experience that aligns with their expectations. 

2.Implement tableside payment

Consider introducing tableside payment options for Chinese customers. This approach allows waiters to bring the payment terminal directly to the table, providing convenience and security. Chinese customers may feel more comfortable completing the transaction at their table, especially when using mobile payment apps. 

To enhance the dining experience for Chinese customers, European restaurants can implement tableside payment options. By partnering with Silkpay, restaurants can be equipped with POS terminals that support mobile payment like WeChat Pay and Alipay or UnionPay.

Bringing the payment POS terminal directly to the table offers convenience and security for Chinese customers. They can complete the transaction at their table, which aligns with their preference for mobile payments and provides a sense of familiarity. With Silkpay's POS terminals, customers can use their preferred mobile payment apps to make the payment seamlessly and securely.

Discover how to accept Alipay and WeChat Pay via POS terminal.

Discover how to accept UnionPay card payment via POS terminal.

By integrating Silkpay's POS terminals into the tableside payment process, European restaurants can create a more efficient and customer-centric experience for Chinese customers. The convenience, security, and flexibility offered by Silkpay's POS terminals contribute to a seamless payment experience that aligns with the preferences of Chinese customers, ultimately enhancing their overall dining experience.

3.Simplify the payment process

Streamline the payment process by making it as simple and straightforward as possible. Consider implementing contactless payment options to facilitate quick and hassle-free transactions. 

To streamline the payment process, European restaurants can implement contactless payment options, such as NFC-enabled terminals, which allow customers to make payments with just a tap of their mobile phones. This eliminates the need for physical cards or cash, making transactions quick, secure, and hassle-free. 

Silkpay's POS terminals support NFC technology, enabling restaurants to accept mobile payments from popular Chinese platforms like Alipay, WeChat Pay, and UnionPay. The goal is to provide Chinese customers with a seamless payment experience that saves them time and effort.

Silkpay's expertise in mobile payment integration ensures a smooth and efficient process, enhancing customer satisfaction. Integrating Silkpay's payment solutions, along with Alipay, WeChat Pay, and UnionPay, helps simplify the payment process and allows Chinese customers to pay seamlessly using their preferred mobile payment apps. This seamless experience aligns with their expectations, providing convenience and efficiency while dining in European restaurants.

4.Provide multilingual menus

To provide a welcoming experience for Chinese customers, consider offering multilingual menus and payment instructions. Including Chinese translations alongside the local language can help bridge the communication gap and ensure customers feel more at ease when navigating the menu and understanding the payment process. 

5.Engage on Chinese social media platforms

Connect with Chinese customers by establishing a presence on popular Chinese social media platforms. Share information about your restaurant, promotions, and payment options on these platforms to reach a wider audience. Engage with customers by responding to their inquiries and comments, further building trust and loyalty.

Silkpay not only provides payment solutions but also offers marketing services that can help European restaurants connect with Chinese customers. By leveraging Silkpay's marketing services, restaurants can establish a strong presence on popular Chinese social media platforms like RED, Dianping, Weibo and WeChat Official Accounts.

When you integrating Silkpay's payment solutions and marketing services, your restaurants can create a comprehensive approach to attracting and engaging Chinese customers. Establishing a presence on popular Chinese social media platforms allows restaurants to reach a wider audience and build relationships with Chinese customers. This connection, combined with the convenience of Silkpay's payment options, can enhance the overall dining experience and drive customer loyalty.

6.Offer discounts and incentives

Chinese customers appreciate incentives and discounts when dining out. Restaurants can attract and retain Chinese clientele by offering special promotions or discounts specifically tailored to them. 

Collaborating with Silkpay also presents opportunities for your restaurants to offer special discounts and incentives to attract Chinese customers via Alipay or WeChat Pay.

7.Embrace Chinese Culture

Creating a welcoming atmosphere that reflects Chinese culture can enhance the dining experience for Chinese customers. This can include incorporating Chinese decorations, artwork, or music. 

Training staff on Chinese customs and etiquette can also contribute to a more culturally sensitive environment, making Chinese customers feel valued and appreciated.

8.Provide Feedback Channels

Chinese customers are used to providing feedback and sharing their dining experience. When they make a decision before going to the restaurants, they usually like to check the rankings and comments from Chinese social media. 

So your restaurant can implement feedback channels on Chinese social media to gather insights and suggestions from Chinese customers. Actively listening to their feedback and making improvements based on their preferences will contribute to a positive reputation and increased customer loyalty.

Silkpay's marketing services help with the implementation of feedback channels and gather insights from Chinese customers. Restaurants can leverage Silkpay's expertise to establish effective feedback mechanisms to capture the opinions and suggestions of Chinese customers.

By partnering with Silkpay, restaurants can communicate with Chinese customers via Chinese social media. These channels allow Chinese customers to provide feedback and share their dining experiences. 

Therefore, by actively engaging with Chinese customers through Silkpay's marketing services, your restaurant can foster a positive reputation and increase customer loyalty.

9.Partnering with Chinese Travel Agencies

If your restaurant is located in an area frequented by Chinese tourists, consider establishing partnerships with local Chinese travel agencies. Collaborating with these agencies can help promote your restaurant as a preferred dining destination for Chinese travelers. 

Additionally, travel agencies may provide insights into the preferences and expectations of Chinese customers, allowing you to tailor your payment experience accordingly.

Conclusion

Catering to Chinese customers' payment preferences in the restaurant industry goes beyond just accepting mobile payment options. It requires an understanding of their culture, preferences, and a commitment to creating a memorable dining experience. 

By adopting mobile payment methods, providing multilingual support, integrating QR codes, offering discounts, embracing Chinese culture, and actively seeking feedback, restaurants can create the best payment experience for Chinese customers, fostering lasting relationships and driving business growth in an increasingly interconnected world.

About the author: Silkpay

Based in Paris, Silkpay provides omnichannel and secure payment solutions to help physical stores and e-commerce in Europe accept more than 30 of the world's most popular payment methods: Visa, Mastercard, CB, UnionPay, Alipay+, WeChat Pay as well as Asia-Pacific’s major e-wallets.

Silkpay is a winner of the LVMH Innovation Award. The company was also selected as a finalist for the "Money 20/20" Best Startup and in the "MPE Berlin” Startup Awards. Silkpay also won the "Best Fintech" awards from Capgemini and BPCE.

Silkpay helps merchants deliver the smoothest payment experience to their customers. We are a talented and international team driven by a single goal: to improve the customer experience and make payments simple and secure.