Service employee dress: Effects on employee-customer interactions and customer-brand relationship at full-service restaurants

Abstract

Using social comparison theory, the purpose of this study is to examine how service employees' dress shapes employee-customer interactions and customer-brand relationship in full-service restaurants. An analysis of 437 useable customer responses collected via an online survey indicated that appropriateness of employee dress improves employee-brand congruence, which then enhances both employee aesthetic trait and enjoyable interaction. Both employee aesthetic trait and enjoyable interaction also improve the customer-employee connection. Furthermore, gratification motivation and social motivation each mediates the effects of customer-employee connection on customers’ affective commitment toward the full-service restaurant brand.