As Economy Dips, Build Customer Loyalty

To encourage dialogue, Brumm recommends having a pot of coffee warming nearby. "You don't have to be Starbucks, just a friendly face that people are comfortable with," he adds. "This will give people a lot of solace in this turbulent economy."

Keep in touch: Create a sense of community with your customers. Keep them abreast of what you're doing and how you can help them with inexpensive tools like blogs or newsletters.

Train, train, train: Once you've pinpointed how you want the customer interaction to go, make sure your staff is on the same page, says Gallagher.

Play up your strengths: While it's important to think about customers and their needs, it's also essential to keep your eye on how to grow your business your way. To persuade people to return, and return often, be the best you can be. Because Picholine is a fine-dining establishment, Brennan felt he could not skimp on quality. Prices went up because the cost of goods went up. But Brennan feels that, with all the personal attention and customizing of the menu that he and his staff do, it makes the difference. It doesn't hurt that he loads departing diners with extras like their house olive oil, sherry vinegars and other treats. For Thanksgiving, he's looking to give away flavored salts.

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