ABSTRACT

This study developed a conceptual model to test the influence of restaurant authenticity on customer perceptions and behaviors at restaurants serving a destination’s authentic regional cuisine. The framework for the study was grounded in social cognitive theory, the Mehrabian-Russell model, consumer-based model of authenticity, congruence theory, and associative network theory. Overall, 804 surveys were completed at restaurants in the American Southeast serving authentic Southern cuisine. All relationships in the model were significant and restaurant authenticity had the strongest influence on peak experience. Academic contributions from the study added to the literature on restaurant authenticity, which is limited. For restaurant practitioners, the findings suggest that it may be beneficial to develop a loyalty program in authentic regional restaurants which can allow individuals to stay connected with a restaurant on an ongoing basis and help establish a personal connection.

摘要

本研究开发了一个概念模型，以测试餐厅真实性对提供目的地正宗地方美食的餐厅的顾客感知和行为的影响。该研究的框架以社会认知理论、Mehrabian-Russell 模型、基于消费者的真实性模型、一致性理论和联想网络理论为基础。总体而言，在美国东南部供应正宗南方美食的餐厅完成了 804 项调查。模型中的所有关系都很重要，餐厅真实性对高峰体验的影响最大。该研究的学术贡献增加了关于餐厅真实性的文献，这是有限的。对于餐厅从业者来说，