"what are the major factors customers use when selecting a restaurant to dine" at, and what is the relative importance of each of these factors?

This study investigates the critical dimension of factors driving restaurant choice among 277 consumers, predominantly residents of the Southeastern United States. The food provided (quality, taste) was central to respondents' decision to favor one restaurant over another, though prior positive experience, a clean production/service environment, and hospitable service are additional factors that most strongly influenced restaurant choice.