Abstract

Purpose: How to build the attitude on brand is very important, because it affects the positive word of mouth and revisit intention. Brand attachment, brand name, and image congruence play important role on consumer behavior in terms of reinforcing consumers' perception of food service companies and differentiating them from competing brands. Following the planned behavior theory, this paper examines the effect of linking brand attitude to word-of-mouth and revisit intentions in the restaurant sector. Research design, data, and methodology: This paper examines the structural relationship among brand attachment, brand name, image congruence, brand attitude, WOM, and revisit intention. In order to test the purposes of this study, research model and hypotheses were developed. The questionnaire items were modified and used according to the content of this study based on previous studies. All constructs were measured by multiple items tested and developed in the previous research. The study is based on the quantitative method and considered 519 questionnaires fulfilled by customers of restaurants. The data were explored employing the partial least square-structural equation modelling (PLS-SEM). Frequency analysis was conducted to identify the general characteristics of the survey subjects. To measure the reliability and validity of the measurement tools, confirmatory factor analysis was conducted. Structural model analysis was conducted to verify the research model. Result: The findings demonstrate that brand attachment and brand name had positive effects on attitude while image congruence did not have. Also, attitude had positive effect on WOM and revisit intention. Conclusions: This study expands the literature about WOM and revisit intentions. This study expands prior research in a similar field to which the theory of planned behavior (TPB) is applied, and reveals that brand attachment, brand name, and brand image congruence play an important role in developing brand attitude that affect revisit intention and WOM. And provide guidelines on how to enhance competitiveness in the restaurant sector based on understanding of linking brand attitude to customer loyalty and repeat business. By putting into practice these suggestions in the restaurant industry, brands can easily build up their attitude and boost a positive WOM and the intention to revisit.