Menu is the top pre-visit check for cafes at 26.5%; half check nothing
In a self-funded survey by SOEL Inc. of 400 people who visited a cafe in the past three months, the most common thing checked before going was the menu, at 26.5%. Meanwhile 51.8% looked at nothing beforehand. Reviews were read on three kinds of platforms, so no single channel is enough.
Key points
- Checked before visiting: menu 26.5%, opening hours 22.8%, photos 21.8%, prices 20.8%, review scores 16.8%
- 51.8% checked nothing beforehand, and 70.8% went to a place they had visited before
- Where reviews were read: gourmet sites 36.8%, Google Maps 34.0%, social media posts 25.3% (of all 400 respondents)
Background
The online survey covered 400 men and women aged 20 to 59 between Sept 29 and Oct 15, 2026. It is the fourth in the company's genre-by-genre consumer survey series.
The company states that it paid for the survey itself, that no third party supervised it, that quotas by gender and age were not applied, and that people in their 60s or older and foreign visitors are not included. Only 74 respondents had made a reservation, with a margin of error of plus or minus 11 points.
What it means for shops
Cafes rely on regulars, and half of visitors check nothing beforehand. New customers, though, tend to check the menu, prices and hours first, and read reviews across several platforms. If information is not consistent across channels, a cafe can miss them.
What shops should do
- Show your menu, prices and opening hours clearly on your website and in a pinned social post
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Summaries are written by Seiichi Studio based on the original releases. Always check the source for the exact details.