The restaurant industry took a big hit because of the pandemic. It’s estimated that about two million people lost their jobs in the industry, alongside billions of dollars. However, it’s recovering today thanks to smart thinking from restaurateurs.
The restaurant business is a tough one. Countless factors contribute to a restaurant’s success or failure, and it can be hard to stay afloat, let alone thrive. So, how can you ensure that your restaurant is attracting new customers? Here are five ways to do just that.
Buzz Worthy Opening
When starting, it’s crucial to create a buzz around your restaurant. This can be done by hosting a grand opening event or partnering with local businesses to promote your eatery. Creating a buzz will not only attract new customers, but it will also get people talking about your restaurant, which is always good for business. Here are other ways you can generate buzz around your restaurant opening:
VIP Event
A well-orchestrated VIP event is one way to bring great attention to your restaurant. If you want to host a successful event, invite influencers and other VIPs, have a unique menu, and create an Instagram-worthy atmosphere.
Partnerships and Promotions
Partnering with local businesses or offering promotions are other ways to attract new customers. For example, partnering with a nearby hotel can bring in tourists looking for dining options while offering promotions such as happy hour specials or discounts on certain bookings.
Quality Food
This one should go without saying, but it’s essential to ensure that your food is of the highest quality to attract new customers. After all, word of mouth is still one of the most powerful marketing tools available, and if your food isn’t up to par, you can be sure that potential customers will hear about it—and they’ll likely take their business elsewhere. If you want to generate buzz, serve quality food during your opening.
Loyalty Program
After you’ve opened up, it’s time to keep those new customers returning. Here are five steps that’ll help you build your loyalty program:
- Use Data: A loyalty program is all about the data. Track your repeat customers and use that information to tailor your program to them.
- Reward Repeat Customers: Offer rewards for repeat visits, such as discounts or special offers. This will incentivize current customers to keep coming back and potentially bring in new customers through word of mouth.
- Incentivize Referrals: Offer rewards for referrals, such as a discount for the referring customer and a perk for the new customer they refer.
- Personalized Offers: Personalized offers based on past purchases can make a loyalty program feel more exclusive and valuable to customers.
- Make it Easy: Make sure that your loyalty program is easy to sign up for and easy to use—if it’s too complicated, customers may not bother with it.
Improve Restaurant Appearance
Appearance is everything in the restaurant industry. Make sure your establishment looks clean and inviting, from the exterior to the dining area. Here are some ways you can do that.
Outdoor Extensions
An outdoor extension is one of the best ways to bring more space to your restaurant and bring in more customers. You can use simple plastic sheets as outdoor roofs and get this from reliable plastic sheet suppliers near you. Afterward, you can place simple foldable tables and chairs in your outdoor extension. It’s simple and affordable.
Interior Design
Your interior design should match the feel and atmosphere you want to create for your restaurant. Make sure it’s clean, well-organized, and appealing to customers. Minimalism is a popular trend in interior design, but make sure to incorporate elements that reflect the theme and cuisine of your restaurant.
Community Involvement
One of the best ways to gain more customers is to get involved in the community—mainly if you’re opening up a new restaurant in an area that doesn’t have many dining options. By getting involved in local events and charities, you’ll make some great connections and get your restaurant’s name out there in the process.
Use Social Media
The United States has become a place for social media to grow far and wide. Many Americans have social media accounts, and that’s why, nowadays, it’s essential for every business—including restaurants—to have a solid social media presence. But having social media accounts isn’t enough; you need to use them wisely to gain more customers. That means posting enticing photos of your food, running giveaways and contests, and being active on all your platforms. If done correctly, social media can be a great way to reach new potential customers and bring them through your doors.
There you have it—five surefire ways to gain more customers in your restaurant business! By following these tips, you’ll be well on your way to attracting new diners and keeping them coming back for more delicious food (and good vibes) time and time again.
