Introduction

1.0 Overview

The main objective of the restaurants around the world is to provide delicious and satisfying food to the customers (Kim, Vogt and Knutson 2015). However, the responsibility of the restaurants do not end here. Such restaurants are also required to provide certain satisfactory services to the customers so that they have a comfortable experience within the restaurant. Furthermore, the restaurants should ensure that the quality of the food provided to the customers is also up to the mark (Radojevic, Stanisic and Stanic 2015). Another area where the restaurants should ensure proper management is their way of behaving with the customers. Behavior plays a very significant role in the field of hospitality industry.

In order to understand the factor of customer satisfaction, it is first important to understand how the quality of the food and the service provided by the restaurants affect such customer satisfaction (Bruns-Smith et al. 2015). The taste of food depends upon the various measures undertaken during the time of preparation. Furthermore, it also depends upon the person who prepares it. Similarly, the service provided by the restaurant also depends upon the humane factor (Kotler et al. 2017). Thus, from this is can be observed that customer satisfaction depends upon the personality of the people engaged in the industry and the quality of the product provided to them.

1.1 Problem Statement

There are many factors which affects the satisfaction of the customers such as that of the quality of the food, the service quality provided to the customers and the way an employee behaves with the customers. However, there has been no research which provides a holistic picture about any restaurant whose customer satisfaction is affected by all these factors.

1.2 Research Aim

The main aim of the research is to understand the concepts of food quality and service quality and analyze their importance on the factor of customer satisfaction with regards to the hotel and hospitality industry, by placing special attention to the Bistro restaurant of Taj in London.

1.3 Research Objectives

The research objectives can be stated as follows –

1. To understand the elements of food quality and service quality in context with the restaurants.

2. To critically analyze how food quality and service quality impact the factor of customer satisfaction within the field of hospitality and hotels, with special focus to the restaurant of Taj in London

3. To recommend various measures which would aid in improving the quality of the food and service quality so that the concerned customers are left satisfied.

1.4 Research Questions

The research questions can be stated as follows –

1. What are the elements of food quality and service quality in context of restaurants?

2. How does food quality and service quality impact the factor of customer satisfaction within the field of hospitality and hotels, with special focus to the restaurant of Taj in London?

3. What are the various recommendations that can be provided which would aid in improving the quality of the food and service quality so that the concerned customers are left satisfied?

1.5 Research Rationale

The significance of this research lies in the fact that it has looks in to the factor of customer satisfaction which is very important for the hotel and hospitality industry. In this industry, the quality of the food is very important (Kandampully, Zhang and Bilgihan 2015). People come to the restaurants in order to enjoy delectable food and this can be ensured by the hotel itself. Furthermore, the service quality of the restaurant is also important for the satisfaction of the customers as good behavior always makes people happy (Wu and Liao 2016). Thus, with the aid of this research, the researcher tries to make the readers aware about how food quality and service quality affects customer satisfaction.

1.6 Summary

To summarize, this chapter tries to provide a brief over view about the aim and purpose of the research. The main aim of the research is to understand the concepts of food quality and service quality and analyze their importance on the factor of customer satisfaction with regards to the hotel and hospitality industry, by placing special attention to the Bistro restaurant of Taj in London. Furthermore, this chapter also states the research objectives and research questions which have been analyzed in the following sections.

Chapter 2: Literature Review

2.0 Overview

The literature review highlights the articles as well as the works of various scholars that have contributed towards understanding service quality, food quality as well as prices. The concept of customer satisfaction is also examined and the influence that the quality of services as well as food have on the customers are highlighted in the chapter. The chapter provides argument and counter argument related to the topic. A comprehensive idea is provided with the help of a conceptual framework that helps to identify the factors affecting the quality and its influence on customer satisfaction.

2.1 Concept of service quality

Service quality can be considered as a contemporary conceptualisation of expectations with that of the perceived performances. According to Han and Hyun (2017), the advantage that a good service quality provides to business is that it can help in increasing the customer expectations as well as its needs. In the case of restaurants, it is seen that service quality plays an important role for the retention of the customers. As stated by Hill and Brierley (2017) along with the promptness of responses, the quality of food provided with the prices attached with the food is considered as service quality for the development of customer satisfaction.

2.2 Concept of customer satisfaction

The term customer satisfaction is frequently used in marketing (Secchi, Roth and Verma 2018). It can be considered as measures by which products and services can meet or surpass the expectations of the customers. Meltzer et al. (2016) is of the opinion that the purpose is to ensure that every customer is satisfied by the level of services provided as well as help in increasing the level of loyalty of the customers. Without customer satisfaction, it can be difficult for hotels and restaurants to maintain its business and thus it can be considered as an important objective for food and service restaurants. Agnihotri et al. (2016) is of the opinion that customer satisfaction also results in enhancing the reputation of restaurants.

2.3 Conceptual framework

Figure: Conceptual framework

(Source: Created by author)

2.4 Factors affecting food quality

Storage: The amount of food that is stored before the consumption has a negative effect on the quality. Most of the times, it is seen that product that gathered for the manufacturing of food can be vulnerable to long storage times. Therefore, as stated by Sweeney, Armstrong and Johnson (2016) the nutritional value of the food is diminished if the storage time of food is high. The quality of food can deteriorate if it is stored in hot and humid conditions. Hence, from the efforts of Saeidi et al. (2015) it can be said that storage time of food need to be diminished so that the proper quality of food can be gained by the restaurants.

Processing: The processing of food includes the freshly cut fruits and vegetables that are stored in the supermarkets. However, it has been stated by Dabholkar (2015) fresh cut produce deteriorates than the intact produce. The decreased nutritional value can be considered as symptoms for the minimal form of processing. At the same time, Hult et al. (2019) is of the opinion that packaged foods can be heavily processed based on the enhanced artificial colouring as well as the unhealthy additions, which may reduce the nutritional quality and value.

Cooking: The cooking of food can be considered as the main factors that can help in maintaining the quality of food. Ren et al. (2016) is of the opinion that the cooking of food can be in various ways that include microwaving, boiling and stir-frying. The effectiveness of cooking can be considered as an important factor, which may help in the development of nutritious elements (Ali, Amin and Cobanoglu 2016). Thus, quality of food is mainly depended on the manner in which the methods and ingredients that are used while cooking. Dhar (2015) has pointed out streaming is a food method which does not result in the loss of nutritious elements. Thus, the importance of cooking can be considered as effective for the development of food.

Nutrition: In the modern world, nutrition of food has reached an all time high. The fact that nutrition has an impact on the health of the people is concerned with the type of food that is served at the restaurants. Hanaysha (2016) is of the opinion that most people tend to consume food that brings about a high dosage of nutrition and thus the quality of the food is affected by it. Consumption of fast food may be considered as pleasure eating but ultimately the people visiting the restaurants take the nutritious elements in the food into consideration (Pizam, Shapoval and Ellis 2016). Therefore, Ramanathan, Subramanian and Parrott (2017) are of the view that nutrition can be measured as an significant aspect for defining the food quality.

Colour: Before the consumption of food, the first impression is received in a visual manner. The colour of the food adds to the many properties that can be associated with food consumption. As stated by Ryu and Lee (2017) in the recent world, it is seen that the colour of the food are provided using artificial means, which may cause health problems. Thus, as opposed by Kaura, Durga and Sharma (2015) food that is of low or high colour by comparison to the level of cooking can hamper the quality of food as well as the consumption. Determination of the correct colour of food is done by the presence of pigments (Rahimi and Kozak 2017).

2.5 Factors affecting price of food

Weather: The weather can be considered as an important factor that has a negative impact on the development of price quality of food. However, according to Aryee et al. (2016), the weather can be considered as an important factor in countries where the level of weather fluctuation is high. Therefore, in the words of Bansal and Taylor (2015), crops can be damaged and it may lead to the development of scarcity as well as shortage of food in the market. Thus, in the words of Ahrholdt, Gudergan and Ringle (2017) due to these reasons, the prices of food can increase and it can lead to the expensive pricing of any food that may be sold in the market.

Political: The political factors that can be associated with the development of food prices include understanding the political scenario of a country. Ahrholdt, Gudergan and Ringle (2017) is of the opinion that the Government of country may be involved in restricting the prices of food and ensure that the business of the restaurants does not diminish due to political entities. At the same time, as stated by Kasiri et al. (2017) economic considerations are also taken into account, which may have a negative impact on the pricing. The pricing may fluctuate if the economic condition of a country is not stable. Thus, as stated by Hill and Brierley (2017) the price plays an important role for the development of the political factors in the market as well as for food quality.

Transportation costs: Agnihotri et al. (2016) are of the opinion that the transportation costs are included in moving the food from one place to another. In the modern world, the transportation costs can be applied if people at homes order the food. The delivery charges are included in the food and this constitutes the high price of food that is usually demanded by the customers (Rather and Sharma 2017). Hence, as pointed out by Izogo and Ogba (2015) that lowering the transportation costs can help in lowering the price of food and with it can help in gaining a competitive advantage. At the same time, Sorescu and Sorescu (2016) have opposed the fact that transportation costs of food should not be included in the prices of food.

Labour costs: The labour costs include the costs that are incurred for preparing the food. Every restaurant consists of personnel that are required for making the quality of food. At the same time, according to Sengupta, Balaji and Krishnan (2015), job opportunities for the preparation of food exists which also helps in increasing the labour costs of food. The wages offered as well as the service tips are included as the labour costs and thus, food prices may increase. Hence, Oh and Kim (2017) stated that it could be said that the labour costs promote negative effects on the services of food and thus, allow for the prices of food to increase in a steady manner in the market.

Competition: The competition between two restaurants is high and thus, the prices of food need to increase which can help in maintaining the level of competition in the market. At the same time, Saeidi et al. (2015) stated that it could be said that competition between the restaurants account for the development of high prices since profitability remains the main aim of the restaurants. Thus, in the words of Ali (2016) it can be said that competition among restaurants can have a negative impact on the development of competition as well as lead to customer dissatisfaction due to the high price of the food.

2.6 Factors affecting service quality

Availability: The availability of service quality can be considered as an important quality for restaurants. According to Chathoth et al. (2016), the fact that most of the services that are provided are based on the nature of support provided by the employees makes it difficult for service quality people to negotiate with the different customers. At the same time, from the words of Bowen and Chen McCain (2015) it can be said that availability of services also account for continuous communication with people that may have a negative impact on the development of quality services in the restaurants.

Technology: Technology can be considered as a factor that positively affects the development of service quality. In the words of Han and Hyun (2017), it can be seen that technology plays a crucial role in the services since most of the employees aim to understand the nature of technology that can be used for the development of services. At the same time, from the words of Meltzer et al. (2019) it can be said that technology provides an overview of the service quality that can help in improving the level of services. Thus, technology is considered as important for the development of service quality in restaurants (Wang, So and Sparks 2017).

Training: The training of the employees involved in maintaining service quality plays an important factor in restaurants. It is necessary to understand the level of expertise that is possessed by the employees while they indulge in providing training to the employees. According to Hanaysha (2016), training in the form of delivering the goods and services as well as the tone that need to be used for the satisfaction of the customers. Thus, it can be said that training of the employees need to be provided for the proper satisfaction of the customers using effective service.

Teamwork: Teamwork involves proper communication between the people involved in providing services. As observed by Ryu and Lee (2017) in a restaurant, a service team is involved that assists in enhancing the level of services that are provided in a restaurant. Thus, it can be said that teamwork can help in enhancing the service quality since every team member can understand the required level of services that are necessary for each customers. At the same time, teamwork can help in enhancing the level of commitment that exists between the employees. Therefore, it can be said that teamwork plays a significant role for the development of service quality and for enhancing customer satisfaction in the market.

2.7 Influence of food quality, price and service quality on customer satisfaction

The analysis of the factors that affect food quality, price as well as service quality can ensure that customer satisfaction takes place in an effective as well as positive manner. According to Sweeney, Armstrong and Johnson (2016), the fact that customers are dependent on the amount of food along with the price that is obtained from the food can be considered as satisfactory for the customers. As stated by Dabholkar (2015) one of the influences that food quality, price and service quality have on customer satisfaction is the fact that it meets the level of expectations that exist among the customers.

According to Dhar (2015), every business organisation, like the restaurants comes to know about the needs of the customers and thus, it can help in the satisfaction of the customers. At the same time, it helps in gaining an improvement in the performance of service quality, which in turn can help in the development of strengths, and weakness in the market. Aryee et al. (2017) is of the opinion that customer satisfaction can also help in managing situations as well as coping up with issues that require promotion. The fact that customer satisfaction can help in maintaining the loyalty of the people can be considered as effective for the development of customer satisfaction.

The perceived restaurant quality always helps in the analysis of the customer satisfaction. According to Bansal and Taylor (2015), the evidence that customers are satisfied based on the experiences; they receive at the restaurants always help in the development of restaurant-level service quality. Thus, it can be said that for enhancing the level of satisfaction of the customers, the development of service quality as well as the prices of the food can be considered as significant for the enhancing the customer satisfaction of the people. Hence, in the words of Kasiri et al. (2016) it can be said that service quality can be considered as an essential factor and based on it; customer satisfaction can be influenced in terms of gaining opportunities for business.

2.8 Summary

Therefore, it can be summarised that the factors that affect food quality, prices as well as the services of the food can be considered as effective for the development of customer satisfaction. The factors can be linked with the demands of the customers and thus, it can be said that each of the attributes can be applied by the reputed restaurants to enhance its reputation at the market. At the same time, it can be seen that the influence of the factors on customer satisfaction can be positive as long as implementation of mitigating strategies of the factors are maintained.

Chapter 3: Research Methodology

3.0 Overview

The research will be done to find out whether the customers who are frequent at Taj bistro London find the service at the bistro hospitable enough. A qualitative research will be done on the interviews collected from 5 customers who are frequent at Taj Bistro. Primary data will be collected through the method of random non-probability sampling and then analyzed qualitatively. A deductive method of research is done and a positivist philosophy will be followed to do this research.  

3.1 Data Analysis Technique

There are two types of data analysis techniques, the first one is qualitative data analysis method and the second one is quantitative data analysis. Qualitative analysis of data is done when non-quantifiable data is used in the research (Mayer 2015). When the focus is more on the nature of the data and not on the amount of data that is collected, in these cases a qualitative method of data analysis is done. Quantitative analysis is done when, when the data collected from the research .are quantifiable. For this research, qualitative data will be used. After going over the previous articles and data on this subject and after considering the amount of data, the qualitative analysis will be the most appropriate for this research. Qualitative research will helpful because it will be essential to record the reactions of the customers.

3.1.1 Using in Semi Structured Interview Approach

In a semi structured interview, the basic information of the participant is collected and then the questionnaire deals with detailed response of the respondents. The detailed questions are given because it is important for the researcher to record the responses of the interviewees. As this is a qualitative research, the semi structured interview approach is needed because qualitative research checks the nature of the interviewer, and in qualitative reach the nature of the research is more important than the amount of data (Antwi and Hamza 2015).   

3.2 Research Approach

Two types of research approaches are generally used while doing the research. The two approaches are inductive and deductive. Inductive research is done when the researcher and develops new theories and hypothesis from the information that is gathered from the study. The researcher analyses the data and from those data new hypothesis is developed. From the evidences that are gathered from the data, new concepts and propositions are developed. As opposed to this, deductive approach is used when no new theories and concepts are developed from the data that is collected through either survey or interview depending upon the nature of the research (Johnston 2014). The researcher does the study by using pre-existing theories and hypothesis, this type of research is known as deductive research. For this research, deductive approach will be employed.    

3.3 Research Philosophy

Three forms of research philosophies are generally used while doing the research; they are realism, interpretivism and positivism. Logical and scientific data is used in case of positivism. It is a properly systematized research philosophy which has the capability of dealing with a huge amount of data. The philosophy of interpretivism is used when the research is trying to evaluate and analyze the theories that already exist; realism is a combination of both these philosophies (Yanow 2013). For this research, the philosophy of positivism is used because the research is done using primary data and the researcher is trying to objectively and scientifically analyze the data that are collected by interviewing the customers at the bistro restaurant of Taj in London (Johnston 2014).    

3.4 Research Design

Three different kinds of research designs are generally used while doing a research. Descriptive, exploratory and informative are the three types of research design that are used in a research. Exploratory research design is employed when new ideas are explored in the research. Explanatory research design is used when facts and figures are explained in the research. Descriptive research design is an amalgamation of both the exploratory and explanatory research designs (Omair 2015). For this descriptive research design is used as the concepts will be explained as well ideas will be explored in this research.  

3.5 Data Collection Process

Data can be classified into two types, the first one is primary and the second one is secondary (Wildemuth 2016). Primary data is collected when the researcher directly gathers the data from the respondents through the process of either interview or survey. The data is collected directly and then analyzed by the researcher. The secondary method is used in a research when journals, books, articles, web pages are used to collect information and then that information are analyzed. For this research data will be collected from primary sources as the researcher needs to understand the reactions of the customers when they visit the hotel.

3.6 Sampling Technique

A sample is that group of the population that is selected for the purpose of the study. The group of people that are needed for the purpose of the study is the sample population of the research. The sample size of this research is 5 customers who have visited the bistro Taj at London. There are two types of sampling technique, probability sampling and non-probability sampling. For the purpose of this random non-probability sampling will be used for this research (Palinkas et al. 2015). This method is used because the researcher has selected the population that is needed for the research.

3.7 Validity and Reliability in Research

Reliability is the measure of the constancy of test scores. It is the ability of the test to be repeatable. For example a reliable math exam is intended to measure the mathematical knowledge of every student. Reliability of a research is to make sure that there is universality in the result of the research. The test that can be done for this research is called the Cronbach’s alpha; this measures the inner dependability of the test with numerous answers (Bonett, D.G. and Wright 2015).

3.8 Ethical Considerations

In case of this research, the ethical considerations that are to be taken are, no respondent should be coerced into participating in the study. The data should not be manipulated and the researcher should make sure that anonymity of the participant is kept if they have asked so. The research should only be used for academic purpose and not for any other purposes.  

3.7 Summary

The research will be done to check whether the bistro at Taj London is hospitable to their guest. For doing this research 5 people are selected, who will be interviewed by the researcher and their reactions will be further analyzed by the researcher to understand whether they feel that the hospitality at Taj is good enough or there are things that needs to improve at that place.    

Chapter 4: Data Analysis

4.0 Over view

This chapter analyzes all the data that has been gathered in the course of the research work under investigation. The main aim of the research is to understand the concepts of food quality and service quality and analyze their importance on the factor of customer satisfaction with regards to the hotel and hospitality industry, by placing special attention to the Bistro restaurant of Taj in London. In this regard, various sources of literature has been examined and discussed. Moreover, several frequent customers have been interviewed who frequent the Taj restaurant in London. Their opinions have been analyzed in this chapter.

4.1 Data Findings

The section on literature review tries to show the various sources of literature such as books, academic journals and articles in order to understand the main and purpose of the research. Furthermore, in order to gain a firsthand information about how the factors of food quality and service quality affects the element of customer satisfaction, several customers have been interviewed. In this regard, five customers who frequent the Bistro restaurant of Taj in London, the United Kingdom have been interviewed. The information gathered from the customers provide their personal opinions with regard to the independent variables such as the quality of the food and the service quality of the study and their impact on the dependable variable which is customer satisfaction (Hanaysha 2016).

The customers were asked the question that if they are happy with the food that was being provided by the restaurant of Taj in London. To this, three customers agreed that they were indeed satisfied with the food provided. However, one of the other customer was of the idea that the food that was prepared by the kitchen of Taj was too bland in nature. In this respect, he was of the opinion that the chefs of Taj should take in to consideration the personal taste preference sof the people and try to increase the quality of the food. The fifth customer who was interviewed was of the idea that once the food that was served to her was not fresh. After that time, she has lost trust in the food that was offered by the restaurant.

The second question that was asked to the people who were being interviewed that whether they were satisfied with the customer service that was being provided by the Taj restaurant in London. To this, four of the customers stated that the customer service that was provided by the restaurant was more than satisfactory. They were completely happy with how the different employees of the restaurant behaved with them, even the waiters. According to the opinions of the interviewees the waiters were extremely helpful towards them and helped them to choose their menus when they were confused. Moreover, if any customers faced a problem with the taste of the food where the taste was not according to their preference, then the chefs were extremely helpful by changing the dish altogether. However, one of the interviewees believed that the service quality of the Taj was not up to the mark. The main reason behind this was that the customer once had a problem in the order that was delivered to him. He had ordered a dish with specific instructions in how the food should be prepared but those instructions were not adhered to. In this regard, he still believes that the service quality of the restaurant is beneath average and satisfactory.

Thus, from the findings of the data it can be observed that the people who were interviewed had important personal opinions to share in context of the restaurant of Taj in London. All the different interviewees had different personal insights regarding the element of food quality and service quality.

4.2 Data Analysis

This section analyses the interview responses of the five customers who were chosen for the interview for understanding the research work. These responses are then correlated with the data examined in the literature review section. The main aim of this section is to understand how the different elements of the quality of the service provided in a hospitality industry and the food quality of a restaurant impacts the customer satisfaction of the people who are involved in this industry.

In the words of Hun and Hyun (2017), quality service provision is important as it gives a boost to the business in terms of higher production. If quality service is provided to the customers, then they would be happy and satisfied and therefore, would prove to be loyal to the particular business. In this regard, Hill and Brierly (2017), were of the view that quality of the food is similarly important for maintaining the good image of a business firm. Both these factors of food quality and service quality have a significant bearing on the component of client satisfaction which is the greatest significant pre-requisite of the hospitality industry.

The different factors which affects the food quality have been identified as the place where the food is stored, the way the food is processed in the sense that how they are cut and washed, the manner in which the food is cooked in the restaurant. Furthermore, the factor of nutrition and the color of the food also appeals to the customers. Furthermore, there are many factors which also affects the price of food such as the weather of the place. According to Ahrholdt, Gudergan and Ringle (2017), the price of the food rises if the places are too cold or warm. This is due to the fact that additional measures need to be taken in order to ensure the upkeep of the quality of the food. The political elements of the place also affects the prices of the food and the transportation costs makes the food expensive. The competition in the field of hospitality industry is too large. Thus, all these factors affect the internal working of the industry.

The responses that were collected from the different sources shows the importance of maintain the quality of food and the service quality of the industry. In the context of Taj it is more essential as it is one of the most prestigious hotels in the entire globe. The brand image of the organization needs to be maintained and this is dependent upon the positive feedback that is received from the different customers who frequent this restaurant. In this regard, it can be seen that the different interviewees that were recorded have opined that the restaurant of Taj in London works in a very efficient manner.

However, there were a few respondents who believed that the food quality and the service quality of the hospitality industry is absolutely vital. It is these two factors that lead to the satisfaction or dissatisfaction of the consumers. If the customers are satisfied then chances are that they would come back to the concerned restaurant or hotel. Furthermore, the positive feedback of mouth also helps in the promotion of the restaurant in question. In the age of social media, there is a possibility that the customers are highly satisfied with the restaurant would post about the food and the staff of the restaurant on social media and give a positive feedback of the same. This would act as a catalyst for the other customers who are most likely to visit this particular restaurant. However, if even one or two customers are dissatisfied with the concerned restaurant then it would have quite a negative impact on the brand image of the organization. This is due to the reason that in this new age of globalization, information spreads in a fast manner. This can act as a boon or a bane for the business organization because even one negative feedback of them can inspire many potential customers to be dissociated with the brand. For any business firm, it is essential that there image should be maintained in front of the entire target population.

4.3 Summary

To summarize, this chapter provides a holistic understanding of the main purpose of the research. The main aim of the research is to understand the concepts of food quality and service quality and analyze their importance on the factor of customer satisfaction with regards to the hotel and hospitality industry, by placing special attention to the Bistro restaurant of Taj in London. This chapter analyzes the interview answers that were provided by the five customers who were chosen for the interview. Their answers were then correlated with the findings of literature review in order to understand the impact of the quality of food and service quality of the hospitality industry on customer satisfaction.

Chapter 5: Conclusion

5.0 Over view

This chapter concludes the entire research work. The purpose of this research was to understand how the different elements of the food quality and the service quality of a restaurant affects the factor of customer satisfaction. For this, special attention was given to the Bistro Restaurant of Taj in London. This chapter attempts to link the research objectives identified earlier with that of the data collected throughout the course of the research.

5.1 Linking with Objectives

Objective 1: The first objective of the research was that of to understand the elements of food quality and service quality in context with the restaurants. In this regard, the viewpoints of several authors were taken in the literature review section which showed the importance of these two elements. The authors were of the opinion that the quality of food was indeed important along with that of the service quality. If these two are maintained then the customers are left satisfied (Radojevic, Stanisic and Stanic 2017).

Objective 2: The second research objective was to critically analyze how food quality and service quality impact the factor of customer satisfaction within the field of hospitality and hotels, with special focus to the restaurant of Taj in London. In this research objective it can be observed that the factors of food quality and service quality did impact significantly the element of customer satisfaction in the context of Taj in London (Nunkoo et al. 2017). This was adequately shown in the responses of the interviewees.

Objective 3: The third research objective was that of to recommend various measures which would aid in improving the quality of the food and service quality so that the concerned customers are left satisfied. The recommendations have been provided in the following section.

5.2 Recommendations

In the context of m=keeping the customers happy and satisfied within the hospitality industry, several recommendations can be provided. First, the people who are engaged in the preparation of the food in the kitchen needs to ensure that they prepare the food with a lot of care and precision (Mathe, Scott-Halsell and Roseman 2016). Eating delectable food is one of the important pre-requisite of any individual.

The second recommendation that can be provided in the context of maintaining customer satisfaction is that the staff should be generous and polite in their behavior with the clients. In the service industry, the clients are superior and their every wish and demand needs to be taken care of (Karatepe and Karadas 2015). In this regard, it is significant that the members of the staff in Taj, London should behave politely and calm with their customers.

5.3 Scope of Future Research

This research work can prove to be beneficial for all those researchers who would want to understand how food quality and service quality affects customer satisfaction. In the future, they can utilize this information for keeping the customers happy and satisfied.

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Interview Responses

Interviewee 1

1. Age – 26

2. Gender – male

3. Annual Income – 2000 pound

4. Are you a frequent customer of the Taj restaurant in London? – Yes, I am

5. Do you think the quality of food is satisfactory as served in the restaurant? – It is well prepared and I am happy with the taste of the food that is provided to us.

6. So you think the staffs are well-behaved within the restaurant of Taj? – Yes, the members of the staff are extremely well-behaved and they provide us with the best services in the restaurant.

7. Do you think customer satisfaction is dependent on the elements of food quality and service quality of the restaurant? – Absolutely. I always feel happy when I am served with delectable food and the staff are friendly.

Interviewee 2

1. Age – 41

2. Gender – Female

3. Annual Income – 2500 pound sterling

4. Are you a frequent customer of the Taj restaurant in London? – Yes

5. Do you think the quality of food is satisfactory as served in the restaurant? – The quality of the food is some what satisfactory. At times, the food is not served fresh and there comes an unbearable odor form the food.

6. So you think the staffs are well-behaved within the restaurant of Taj? – Yes, they are

7. Do you think customer satisfaction is dependent on the elements of food quality and service quality of the restaurant? – Indeed. The satisfaction of the customers depend on the behavior of the staff and the taste of the food.

Interviewee 3

1. Age – 31

2. Gender – female

3. Annual Income – 3200 pound sterling

4. Are you a frequent customer of the Taj restaurant in London? – Yes

5. Do you think the quality of food is satisfactory as served in the restaurant? – Yes, the food is quite satisfactory.

6. So you think the staffs are well-behaved within the restaurant of Taj? – The staff are well behaved but during times of crisis, I feel they can behave better

7. Do you think customer satisfaction is dependent on the elements of food quality and service quality of the restaurant? – Yes, customer satisfaction within a restaurant depends upon the food that is served to them and the behavior of the staff.

Interviewee 4

1. Age – 46

2. Gender – male

3. Annual Income – 1800 pound sterling

4. Are you a frequent customer of the Taj restaurant in London? – Yes

5. Do you think the quality of food is satisfactory as served in the restaurant? – No, I feel the food tastes bad on certain occasions

6. So you think the staffs are well-behaved within the restaurant of Taj? – No, the staff members are extremely unhelpful when I ask them to change the food.

7. Do you think customer satisfaction is dependent on the elements of food quality and service quality of the restaurant? – Yes, absolutely. Moreover, the satisfaction of the customers is the prime requirement of any service industry.

Interviewee 5

1. Age – 53

2. Gender – male

3. Annual Income – 4500 pound sterling

4. Are you a frequent customer of the Taj restaurant in London? – Yes

5. Do you think the quality of food is satisfactory as served in the restaurant? – Yes, the food tastes absolutely delicious

6. So you think the staffs are well-behaved within the restaurant of Taj? – Yes, the staff members are very well behaved and polite

7. Do you think customer satisfaction is dependent on the elements of food quality and service quality of the restaurant? – Absolutely. Customer satisfaction is dependent on the taste of the food and the way the staff members behave with the customers.