Should Local Eateries in Amarillo Face Public Reviews? Exploring Both Sides

Social media has taken over the world, providing anyone with access to a phone, computer, or keyboard the opportunity to express their opinions. It doesn't matter how those opinions are shared; people can voice them and then hide behind their screens.

Get our free mobile app

In today's world, you can find a Facebook group for everything.  For this article we are going to focus on the restaurant review pages.  This is one of those Facebook groups that have popped up in just about every city.  It gives people the chance to review a place they have eaten and share the good and the bad of it all.  Oh and boy do people share.  Sometimes there is an overshare.

Many times those restaurants reviewed are small locally owned businesses.  So the question before us,

Should small businesses be exempt from receiving reviews on restaurant review pages?

Some think the answer to that question is yes.   

A single negative review of a small, locally owned restaurant can deter potential customers. These customers are essential for keeping the business open and running. Most small business owners lack the financial resources to invest heavily in advertising like their corporate counterparts.  That negative review could be devastating.

Some think the answer to that question is no.

A business exists to serve the public. If someone wants to leave a less-than-stellar review about their experience at a restaurant, they should feel free to share their thoughts. However, before posting a negative review, the reviewer should reach out to the restaurant to allow them to resolve the issue. If a restaurant fails to address concerns, the reviewer has every right to share their disappointing experience, regardless of whether it hurts the business.

Most Small Businesses Have People Who Support them No Matter What

The funny thing about someone posting a bad review on a locally owned restaurant, people will come out of the woodwork to defend that restaurant.  If that local restaurant was wrong, then people come out of the woodwork to call them out.

All restaurants have their good and their bad days.