Abstract

Purpose: This study aims to analysis the difference by Michelin rating in customer satisfaction of restaurant listed in the Korea Michelin Guide. There are opinions that the Michelin Guide's rating system and evaluation criteria are somewhat ambiguous. Research design, data, and methodology: This study collected 145 actual online reviews published on TripAdvisor to examine how the effect of the content attributes of reviews on consumer satisfaction varies according to the Michelin grade. Based on this, two studies were conducted. Study 1 examined the effect of strong and weak positive reviews on consumer satisfaction according to the rating. Study 2 examined the effect of image information on consumer satisfaction. Results: The results revealed that the lower the Michelin rating, the more positive review had a significant effect on consumer satisfaction. The higher the rating, the more image information had an effect on consumer satisfaction. Expectations for Michelin three-star restaurants are higher than those of two-star restaurants, so customers are more likely to be used negatively when writing reviews. Conclusions: Accurate information on Michelin selection criteria should be delivered so as not to form high expectations and not to disappoint. For consumers to be satisfied with the name Michelin, the standards should be stricter.