“I’m aware that our food is delicious, but I’m unsure about how to draw in more customers to my restaurant so they can experience it and want to return.”You are likely familiar with this phrase, whether from your own experience or through discussions with colleagues in the industry. This is because offering great food is just one approach to ensuring that tables are always full.
We have talked about this subject on numerous occasions. In reality, we at AxistartAgency are always working to develop strategies to help restaurant owners draw in an increasing number of customers. Today, we will present 11 strategies for attracting customers in 2019. Continue reading and make sure to take note:
Run limited-time promotions.It remains a timeless marketing classic, still highly relevant today. In an era where quick responses are crucial, consumers are eager to take advantage of promotions before they expire.
You can host promotions, such as complimentary desserts or buy-one-get-one-free deals on certain days and times, periodically throughout the year, particularly in significant months like January when sales tend to increase.
Conduct promotions year-round.You can enhance temporary promotions by adding ongoing discounts of 30% to 50% on menu items for reservations made through certain channels, such as AxistartAgency.
On our platform, you can set up your profile to allow customers to accumulate points with each reservation, which they can later redeem for exclusive discounts. Additionally, you have the option to provide ongoing discounts, appealing to customers who appreciate the reliability of these offers. Click here to begin offering discounts today.
Forge partnerships with nearby businesses. Another effective strategy for encouraging customers to regularly enjoy our products is by forming partnerships with local businesses that host events and meetings, which often require menus and various food items to cater to their staff. This approach not only ensures a steady income stream but also draws in new customers through recommendations from employees of these companies.
Hold giveaways on a regular basis. Customers enjoy taking part in giveaways and are especially excited about winning. Differentiate your restaurant from the competition by hosting two giveaways each month, such as offering a complimentary meal or a dinner for two. Customers can enter by sharing their information before they leave, which will also help you gather data for your email marketing campaigns.
Promote special occasions by offering complimentary products. On Thursdays, you can offer a variety of trays in a buffet-style as appetizers, allowing customers to help themselves for free while they savor a tasty cocktail. On Mondays, you can provide complimentary coffee during dinner service. On Sundays, you can offer small free samples of your new recipes to customers and observe their reactions to identify what is successful and what isn’t.
Invite individuals to join in the celebration of their birthday. It’s a timeless approach that continues to be effective as customers place a higher importance on personalized service. This strategy involves sending birthday greeting emails to the customer database, offering, for instance, an invitation to celebrate at the restaurant. It may include a complimentary toast or a free meal for the birthday individual when they bring friends along.
Evaluate the service regularly and make enhancements as needed. Customers visit the restaurant not only for complimentary promotions and products, but also for the food. However, what they value most is the feeling of being treated specially. To enhance this experience, it is recommended to conduct service evaluations, approximately every two months, to ensure everything is running smoothly and to address any new customer needs. Providing exceptional care to customers will undoubtedly encourage their return.
Share live images of items as they exit the kitchen. For example, chefs or a designated staff member can capture photos or videos of freshly made dishes and share them on the Instagram account’s stories during key dinner services.
This is an effective method to continually attract users and keep them aware of the enjoyable experiences they could have by visiting your restaurant. Additionally, it may pleasantly surprise diners at your establishment who are online, as they will notice that the dishes they have ordered are also being showcased on social media at the same time.
Meet the chef. Picture yourself dining at a restaurant when the chef approaches you with a smile and inquires about the lamb stew you just enjoyed. Wouldn’t that be a lovely touch? Now envision that the chef is a recurring personality! In the dining area of that restaurant, a chef takes part in dinner service and is curious about diners’ opinions on their dishes. Would that encourage you to return? Absolutely. It’s a great strategy to draw in more patrons to your restaurant.
Set up a display that showcases the top opinions and posts from your social media platforms.Picture yourself in a restaurant where a screen displays tweets from fellow diners suggesting menu items, or an opinion on TripAdvisor. This could be a compliment about the service provided by the waiter attending to you or a post on Instagram showcasing different customers raising a toast at the table next to yours.
It’s an unexpected initiative that is particularly suited to the current era, and you can arrange it for a special dinner event during the week, with one individual responsible for managing the messages displayed on the screen. It is technically achievable, fairly straightforward, and offers a substantial return on investment.
Countless influencers abound. Identify influencers who align with your restaurant’s style and organize regular campaigns for them to dine at your establishment and share their experiences on social media. Patrons enjoy following these figures. The more you engage with your tables, the greater the number of followers you will attract.