“The average mid-size restaurant could have dozens of varietals on their wine list, but only 15% of restaurant-goers say they look to try something new,” said Danielle Gillespie, CEO and founder of CorkGuru, after surveying 1,252 U.S. adults online. “That’s a lot of wasted inventory, and a missed opportunity to deliver more exciting wine experiences to guests.
The CorkGuru survey also found 27% of diners tend to order what they recognize and trust, while only nine percent typically ask the staff for a recommendation.
“The fact people aren’t asking questions is why money is being left on the table for restaurants, and people are getting stuck with what they already know or what they had last time,” says Gillespie. “Life’s too short for boring choices!”
CorkGuru helps restaurants manage wine inventory, while offering pairing and exploration suggestions to diners. Gillespie, a wine lover herself, developed the platform after years of playing the wine guide to friends and family, realizing restaurants were missing out on the opportunity to connect with guests and improve their dining experience.