By Jose Chavez, Contributor
A common challenge keeps many restaurant owners up at night: boosting sales and keeping the doors open in an ever-evolving restaurant industry. This is a struggle for about 80% of restaurateurs worldwide, as they understand customer preferences and deal with higher food costs and fierce competition. But even though things might seem tough, there’s hope — a bunch of proven strategies that have helped restaurant owners beat these problems and do well.
If you’re looking for tips and insights on how to run a successful restaurant business, review these seven proven strategies for increasing restaurant sales. From innovative marketing techniques to strategic menu optimization, these methods offer a roadmap for encouraging repeat business and feeling excited to welcome new customers.
1. Spotlight Your Star Dishes
Your star dishes are the menu items that have earned a special place in your customers’ hearts (and stomachs). They’re the mouthwatering creations that keep your guests returning for more, whether it’s your signature steak cooked to perfection, your decadent chocolate lava cake that melts in their mouths, or your famous seafood linguine.
Think strategically about where to place them on your menu. Consider featuring them prominently at the top of each menu section or even in a dedicated “Chef’s Recommendations” or “House Specialties” section.
2. Encourage Customers on Social Media
Nowadays, social media is like a cheat key for restaurants, offering a dynamic platform to showcase your signature dishes, connect with customers, and ultimately drive foot traffic and sales. Gone are the days when social media was solely for sharing personal anecdotes or viral videos; now, it’s a powerful marketing tool that local businesses can utilize to pool potential customers and significantly boost sales.
To leverage social media platforms, it’s crucial for a restaurant owner to actively engage with audiences across popular social marketing channels such as Facebook, Instagram, and X (aka Twitter). By establishing a vibrant online presence, restaurants can cultivate a loyal following of hungry fans who are eager to post their next weekend outing.
So, how can restaurants effectively engage with their audience on social media?
- Invest in high-quality photography showcasing your mouthwatering dishes
- Don’t just post and forget — engage with your audience and let them share their dining experiences by running fun contests or giveaways.
- Regularly post updates, positive reviews, specials, and behind-the-scenes peeks to keep your audience engaged.
- Show your followers some love by responding to their comments.
- Leverage effective content marketing and local SEO by sharing informative and entertaining content about your business. This positions your business as an authority in the restaurant industry and optimizes your content for local search engine results.
3. Make Ordering Easy with Online Options
Forget about the old days of jotting down orders on paper and playing phone tag with delivery drivers. Nowadays, everyone’s all about convenience, and that’s where technology, as well as delivery services and takeout options, make life easier for customers and restaurants.
With online ordering, customers hold the power in their hands. Instead of enduring long hold times or scrambling to dial in their orders, they can simply pull out their smartphones or hop on their computers to place an order whenever and wherever they please. This convenience factor delights customers and makes them more likely to choose your restaurant over competitors, especially in a rush or on the go.
Embracing tech upgrades like QR codes or setting up your online ordering system and delivery services meets and exceeds customer expectations. QR codes, for example, offer a seamless way for customers to access your online menu and place orders directly from their smartphones with a quick scan. This eliminates the need for cumbersome paper menus and streamlines the ordering process and restaurant operations, making it smoother and more efficient for everyone involved.
4. Spice Up Your Calendar with Special Events
Special events have a magnetic effect, drawing in crowds of curious diners eager to join in the fun. This influx of foot traffic not only boosts sales on event nights but also has a ripple effect, as satisfied customers are likely to spread the word to friends and family, driving even more business to your restaurant in the long run.
At the same time, these events provide ample opportunities for brand visibility. Whether through social media platforms, email newsletters, or local advertising, you can spread the word about your upcoming events and generate excitement among your target audience. Offer special discounts or promotions to sweeten the deal and motivate attendance, further driving sales and revenue.
5. Drive Repeat Business with Discounts or Exclusive Perks
Implementing a loyalty program is a smart strategy to enhance customer satisfaction, drive more customers, boost sales, and encourage repeat visits. By offering rewards for customer loyalty, you’re thanking your loyal customers and leading them to choose your restaurant over others.
Happy customers are your best advocates. When you reward your regulars with discounts or exclusive perks, they’re more likely to spread the word about your restaurant to their friends and family.
Here are some strategies to encourage repeat business for your restaurant’s success:
- Points-Based System: Implement a points-based loyalty program in which customers earn points for every purchase. Once a certain threshold is reached, these points can be redeemed for discounts, free items, or other rewards.
- Tiered Rewards: Create multiple tiers within your loyalty program, each offering increasingly valuable rewards as customers progress. This encourages customers to spend more to reach higher tiers and unlock better perks.
- Special Discounts or Promotions: Offer special discounts or promotions exclusively for loyalty program members. This could include discounts on their birthday, the anniversary of joining the program, or during slow periods to incentivize visits.
6. Incorporate the Wow Factor into Your Dining Experience
When you step into a restaurant, it’s not just the menu that matters — it’s the entire experience. To make your restaurant a place guests can’t wait to come back to, start by setting the perfect scene.
Choose lighting that complements the mood, pick music that vibes with your theme, and arrange your space to make everyone feel welcome, whether they’re there for a cozy date night or a lively dinner with friends.
But an amazing atmosphere is just the beginning. What truly sets a dining experience apart is service that makes guests feel like VIPs. Train your team to be attentive and friendly and personalize their service—like remembering a guest’s favorite dish or noting a dietary preference. These thoughtful touches show that you care.
7. Practice Upselling and Cross-Selling Techniques
Last but certainly not least, upselling and cross-selling — a tried-and-true method for increasing restaurant sales.
Upselling and cross-selling involve suggesting additional items or upgrades to customers that complement their existing orders. This ultimately increases the average transaction value and maximizes revenue for your restaurant. It’s all about offering value-added options that enhance the dining experience and satisfy and indulge customers.
To effectively implement upselling and cross-selling techniques, it is crucial to train your staff to be knowledgeable about your menu and confident in their recommendations. Encourage them to engage with customers in a friendly and non-intrusive manner, offering personalized suggestions based on their preferences and tastes.
But it’s not just about pushing additional items — it’s about understanding your customers’ needs and desires and offering solutions that enhance their dining experience, whether tempting them with a decadent dessert to finish off their meal or suggesting a perfectly paired wine to accompany their entree, a little upselling goes a long way in delighting your customers and boosting your bottom line.
Final Thoughts
And there you have it: seven proven strategies for boosting restaurant sales and providing exceptional service. From optimizing your menu and embracing social media to practicing upselling and cross-selling, there’s no shortage of ways to increase sales and attract loyal and new customers. So go ahead, implement these strategies, and get ready to experience a thriving restaurant business!
