Have you ever left a 4-star review because “nothing was wrong, but it wasn’t mind-blowing”? In today’s world of online ratings, a 5-star review left for a business reflects an experience that met or exceeded expectations, not just an extraordinary one. Let’s explore how reviews and star ratings impact the restaurant industry and why every star counts.

The Hidden Power of Client Reviews

In today’s restaurant landscape, online and third-party ordering platforms have made client reviews more influential than ever. Reviews do more than just share an experience, they shape how others perceive and interact with a business. They set expectations for service, influence potential clients’ decisions, and even impact the morale and motivation of staff. On third-party platforms, reviews can affect multiple businesses—not just the restaurant itself, but also the platform and the delivery provider. As a client, your reviews help others make confident decisions by knowing which businesses consistently deliver excellent service and value. You can also earn extra rewards on some platforms for taking the time to do so. For restaurants, reviews are invaluable tools. They provide insights to pinpoint areas for improvement by identifying consistent feedback patterns. They also help generate excitement around new or seasonal menu offerings, attracting clients eager to explore something different from their regular options. Ultimately, thoughtful reviews not only enhance the quality of service but also bring new clients to the table, ensuring continuous growth and innovation.

From Extraordinary to Expected: The New Norm for 5 Stars

When you leave a review on platforms, it goes beyond sharing your personal experience, it directly influences how businesses are presented to others. Some platforms use client ratings to determine which businesses are featured more prominently and to award performance-based badges. Thoughtful and detailed feedback ensures that top-performing restaurants and platforms get the recognition they deserve, making it easier for other clients to find reliable and trustworthy options. Traditionally, a five-star rating was reserved for exceptional quality and service, often associated with the finest dining establishments. However, the meaning of five stars has evolved. Today, it doesn’t necessarily indicate above-and-beyond service; instead, it reflects reliability, consistency and the fulfillment of standard expectations. For food orders, this includes consistent food quality, appropriate portions, and timely delivery.

Thoughtful Reviews That Help Businesses Improve

As a client, your reviews have the power to make a significant impact—not just for the restaurant but also for other clients seeking reliable options.

• If you’re leaving a simple star-only review, consider giving 5 stars if everything met your expectations.
• For written reviews, take the opportunity to highlight what you enjoyed most about your experience. Whether it’s the quality of the food, the timeliness of the delivery, or the ease of ordering.

If the service didn’t meet your expectations, pair a lower star rating with clear, written feedback. Explain where things fell short so your concerns can be acknowledged and addressed. Reserve star ratings below 4 for significant issues or concerns. Whenever possible, reach out to the platform or the restaurant directly to resolve the problem first. If your concerns remain unresolved, leaving a lower star rating to reflect your experience is appropriate and provides valuable insight for others. At the same time, it’s important to evaluate your complaints fairly. Leaving a negative review for something that wasn’t offered or couldn’t reasonably be accommodated can unfairly harm a restaurant’s reputation. For instance, penalizing a restaurant for not being able to fulfill an unrealistic request such as converting a non-vegan dish into a vegan one, does more harm than good. In such cases, consider whether the issue reflects the restaurant’s actual performance or simply a mismatch in expectations. When writing your review, focus on actionable feedback that helps the restaurant improve. Valuable topics to address include:

• portion sizes
• specific menu items
• meal packaging

Insightful details like these regardless if it’s positive or negative ensure your feedback is meaningful and constructive, benefiting both the business and future clients. Addressing Delivery Issues in Reviews When evaluating your experience, it’s important to consider who handled the delivery. Many restaurants rely on third-party delivery services offered through platforms, while others use their in-house staff. Delivery delays or issues caused by third-party providers may not always reflect the restaurant’s performance. As a client, you may not always know who handled your delivery, depending on the platform used. For example, if the food was prepared on time but the delivery provider encountered traffic or logistical problems, it might be unfair to penalize the restaurant in your star rating. In such cases, consider mentioning the issue in a way that acknowledges the distinction, such as: "The food was excellent, but the delivery was delayed." while still granting a five star provided the delay was minor or communicated to you ahead of time. Another commonly seen issue is food arriving damaged or at the wrong temperature. It’s important to recognize that this may sometimes be due to the delivery provider’s handling, not the restaurant’s preparation. Acknowledging this distinction in your review ensures that feedback is directed appropriately.

However, if the restaurant manages deliveries in-house and there were significant delays or issues, that feedback becomes more relevant. Providing detailed feedback in these cases helps the restaurant address internal processes and improve. By acknowledging delivery issues thoughtfully, you allow both the restaurant and the platform to narrow down where the problem occurred and identify the responsible parties. This ensures the issue can be addressed and resolved, benefiting everyone involved—restaurants, platforms, delivery providers and future clients alike.

Every Star Makes a Difference

Next time you leave a review or rating, remember that every star counts and every comment helps. By taking a moment to share thoughtful feedback and rate fairly, you’re not just helping your favorite restaurants improve—you’re also shaping the experience for future clients. Be a five-star client and contribute to a better experience for everyone including yourself!