Interviewing Customers No.1

The Unmet Need

Many people are unable to dine out with others due to food sensitivities. This forces them to either skip out on the opportunity or simply not be able to eat along with them.

The Opportunity

This unmet need would be met by creating a website where people with food sensitivities and allergies would be able to search for restaurants dine at, by using search filters of different sensitivities and allergies. This would also apply for those looking for vegan, vegetarian, or other choice diets.

The Main Questions

1.) Do you like to dine out often?

2.) Do you have any food sensitivities or any specific diets that would hinder upon your ability to dine out?

3.) What are any issues you encounter trying to find somewhere to dine?

4.) What would you say about someone creating a way to be able to find a restaurant to accommodate your needs?

Interviews

Customer 1:

1.) I usually go out to eat about once a week. Maybe more if I have family or friends over.

2.) I don't really have any food sensitivities, but my father is diabetic so we have to make sure restaurants have low-sugar options for him.

3.) We don't really have any.

4.) I'd say that for people who have more severe food sensitivities that it would be very helpful, but our family probably wouldn't make much use of it.

Customer 2:

1.) I only eat out whenever my family is in town.

2.) I am actually vegan at the moment. I just recently switched over from being vegetarian.

3.) I really dislike how th5.e only option for me at most restaurants is a salad. And even then I have to ask the waiter to check that there are no animal products in the dressings for me. It can be a hassle for both me and the restaurant staff, which is why I don't eat out very often.

4.) I'd love it! It would give me the chance to be able to hang out with my friends more if i knew where we'd all be able to get something we like. And I wouldn't be stuck eating salads all the time when I'm not home.

Customer 3:

1.) I almost never eat out, even if my parents are over we usually just cook at my house.

2.) No one in my family has any food sensitivities or allergies. I'm not sure if any of my friends do either.

3.) Not necessarily.

4.) It would hep some people out I know that.

Customer 4:

1.) I love to go out to eat because I just love food.

2.) Not really. I have high cholesterol, but I don't adapt my diet to it.

3.) Finding the place with the shortest line. I can't stand waiting on a table.

4.) I'm not sure how many people that would really help. Don't people with those problems already know where to eat? Or just make their own food?

Customer 5:

1.) I try to dine out as much as my wallet lets me. I feel food is a sort of experience.

2.) I am severely allergic to shellfish. To the point where I can't even be too close to it.

3.) Trying to find a place that served no shellfish is really difficult, but I still manage to be able to do so.

(couldn't ask question 4, as the customer had to leave after being exposed to shellfish at the event)

What I learned About the Opportunity

I found out that the opportunity was really hit or miss as far as its helpfulness. The people I interviewed let me know also that not all people with food sensitivities would necessarily benefit from such a product.

What I Learned About Interviewing Customers

I learned the hard way not to interview customers at large events (like the food truck rally I was at). I also found out that people generally don't like being confronted about anything unless they've already initiated conversation. Also most people are generally socially awkward, and don't even want to be looked at in public.