Templates
Secret shopper restaurant checklist

Secret shopper restaurant checklist

Use this checklist to evaluate key aspects of your restaurant and get structured, third-party feedback so you’ll know what exactly to improve.

Use this template with Lumiform

The Lumiform application helps frontline teams uphold internal standards effortlessly.
  • Customize this template or build your own
  • Fill out templates via mobile app
  • Assign and track corrective actions
  • Get reports and analyse your data
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or Download template as PDF
Secret shopper restaurant checklist

Use this checklist to evaluate key aspects of your restaurant and get structured, third-party feedback so you’ll know what exactly to improve.

Use this template with Lumiform

The Lumiform application helps frontline teams uphold internal standards effortlessly.
  • Customize this template or build your own
  • Fill out templates via mobile app
  • Assign and track corrective actions
  • Get reports and analyse your data
Prices start from ░░░ per month
Book a demo
Learn more
or Download template as PDF

Designed for getting honest feedback, our Secret Shopper Restaurant Checklist evaluates touchpoints of the guest experience. This specialized template focuses on critical moments that influence customer satisfaction, including greeting warmth, server attentiveness, and food quality consistency. When mystery diners use this checklist, they capture specific details that regular customer surveys often miss.

A Deloitte survey revealed that 52% of restaurant guests most value receiving timely information that helps them make decisions, as well as warm, hospitable service. By using this practical evaluation tool, you can pinpoint areas for improvement while recognizing the service elements your team does well.

Related categories

Preview of the template
Page 1
Arrival & Greeting
Was the entrance clean and welcoming?
Did the host/hostess greet you promptly and with a smile?
Were you seated in a timely manner?
Ambience & Cleanliness
Was the dining area clean and well-maintained?
Was the temperature and lighting comfortable?
Was the noise level appropriate for the type of establishment?
Service
Did the server introduce themselves and provide their name?
Did the server have extensive knowledge of the menu and specials?
Were orders taken promptly and accurately?
Did the server check on you throughout the meal?
Was the server attentive and responsive to your needs?
Was the service overall friendly and professional?
Food Quality
Was the food served at the appropriate temperature?
Did the food taste fresh and flavorful?
Was the food presentation appealing?
If you had any special requests, were they accommodated?
Overall Impression
How would you rate your overall dining experience?
Would you recommend this restaurant to others?
Additional comments or feedback:

Frequently asked questions

How can a secret shopper restaurant checklist improve your customer retention rates?

A secret shopper checklist identifies specific service breakdowns that cause customers to leave and never return. By capturing details about greeting warmth, server attentiveness, and food quality, you’ll discover exactly where improvements are needed. This targeted approach allows you to fix problems customers might never mention directly before they impact your retention rates.

What makes a secret shopper restaurant checklist more valuable than regular customer feedback?

Secret shopper checklists provide structured, objective evaluations from trained observers. Your regular customers may overlook service issues they’ve gotten used to, while new customers might not return without explaining why. Secret shoppers document specific details about their entire experience, revealing blind spots in your operation.

Should you inform your restaurant staff about secret shopper evaluations?

Yes, inform staff that secret shopper evaluations occur regularly, but don’t reveal specific dates or shopper identities. This creates a healthy awareness without causing anxiety. Explain how the program is a development tool, emphasizing how the feedback helps everyone deliver consistently excellent service.

How can you prevent staff from identifying your secret shoppers?

Vary the profile of your secret shoppers in terms of age, gender, and group size. Schedule visits irregularly across different days and times. Instruct shoppers to behave like typical customers rather than being overly attentive to details. Consider hiring professional mystery shopping services for complete anonymity.

This template, developed by Lumiform employees, serves as a starting point for businesses using the Lumiform platform and is intended as a hypothetical example only. It does not replace professional advice. Companies should consult qualified professionals to assess the suitability and legality of using this template in their specific workplace or jurisdiction. Lumiform is not liable for any errors or omissions in this template or for any actions taken based on its content.