In today's competitive food industry, keeping customers coming through the door is crucial. While it is natural for your business to go high or low, it’s hard when your restaurant sales are always down and cutting into your profits.
The quality of your food, the service you provide, and the ambiance of your restaurant are what makes your business succeed in the wrong. However, many times when people are desperate enough, they tend to ‘brand drift’.
Brand drift is when you change most of the things that made you original and profitable in search of better sales outcomes. The result is mostly a loss of brand identity and customers.
So if you too are looking for answers on how to grow your restaurant business in the long run, then Kouzina has a list of strategies that might work for you!
There are many reasons why increasing restaurant sales is important. Stronger sales figures allow you to reinvest in your business, improve the quality of your offerings, and create a more enjoyable experience for your customers. This can lead to a positive cycle of growth and success
In addition, healthy sales figures can improve your restaurant's financial stability and make it more resilient in the face of challenges. Finally, strong sales can also help establish your brand as a leader in the market, attracting new customers and potential investors.
There are several strategies you can use to grow your restaurant business and boost revenue. Let's explore some of the most effective ones.
Let us dive deeper into 14 specific ways you can grow your restaurant business:
Your menu is more than just a list of dishes; it's a powerful marketing tool that can tantalize taste buds, influence purchasing decisions, and boost your restaurant's bottom line.
By realizing star power and giving your best-selling and high-margin items a prominent place on your menu, you can shape your restaurant’s success.
Update your menu seasonally to feature fresh, local ingredients at their peak. This keeps your offerings exciting for returning customers and allows you to capitalize on seasonal trends. Also, try showcasing seasonal ingredients with vivid descriptions that mention their local origin. This not only elevates the perceived value of the dish but can also attract customers who are interested in supporting local farms.
Go beyond simply listing ingredients. Use descriptive language that paints a picture of the dish and tempts customers' taste buds. Do not shy away from using action verbs like "savor," "indulge," and "delight" to create a sense of anticipation and desire.
By incorporating these strategies, you can transform your menu from a static list into a dynamic sales tool that entices customers to order more and keeps them coming back for more.
Now let us look into the two key strategies for boosting your restaurant’s sales: upselling and cross-selling, along with some tips for staff training to effectively implement these.
Upselling generally means encouraging customers to spend more on an item than they already intended on. For example, suggesting a larger size of their chosen entree or a premium cut of meat.
Meanwhile, cross-selling focuses on recommending complementary items to go with a customer's current selection. Think of recommending a side dish to pair well with their main course or a dessert to complement their meal.
This is where your staff plays a crucial role. By training them in suggestive selling techniques, you equip them to confidently recommend upsells and cross-sells without being pushy. Here's how the training can help:
With Kouzina however, you can trust them to have all your staff and management training needs handled well to help you flourish in your food franchising journey.
In today’s digital world, optimizing online ordering and delivery services is what makes or breaks a great business.
You may utilize technology by developing your own ordering system, this offers full control over branding and customer data but requires investment in development and maintenance.
Or you may partner with popular third-party delivery platforms such as Swiggy and Zomato which have an existing strong user base, simplifying customer reach for you. However, you will have to incur some commission fees and potentially share customer data.
When choosing an online ordering system, carefully weigh the platform fees (commission charged per order) against the potential increase in sales volume. Here's what to consider:
Social Media is a powerful tool if used in the right way. For regular engagement be more active on your online platforms.
Creating a strong online presence requires regular posting of engaging and meaningful content.
Aim for at least a few posts per week, spread strategically across peak times when your target audience is most active.
Remember to respond to comments and messages actively to engage with your audience. This fosters a sense of community and shows you value their feedback.
Signature dishes differentiate your restaurant from competitors. These could be innovative creations by your chef, dishes with a unique twist on classic favorites, or offerings that showcase local ingredients.
Utilize your social media platforms, website, and online ordering platforms to showcase your signature dishes. Use high-quality photos, enticing descriptions, and highlight special promotions. Don't neglect traditional marketing either. Feature signature dishes on your printed menus, table tents, flyers, and even window displays to grab attention.
Host events with specific themes such as a murder mystery dinner, singles night, or a wine and cheese tasting to create buzz amongst the customers.
Offer special prix fixe menus for holidays, and occasions, or to showcase seasonal ingredients. These fixed-price menus provide a curated dining experience with a touch of exclusivity.
Don't just blast out a generic message. Tailor your event marketing to attract both new and existing customers.
New Customers: Utilize social media advertising, local event listings, and influencer partnerships to reach a wider audience.
Regular Customers: Promote events through your email list, loyalty programs, and in-restaurant signage to keep your existing base engaged.
Repeat customers are the backbone of any restaurant's success. A well-designed loyalty program incentivizes them to keep coming back.
Design your program to reward desired customer behaviors, such as frequent visits, trying new menu items, or spending a certain amount.
Offer rewards that are truly valuable to your customers. This could include free meals, discounts, exclusive menu items, or priority reservations.
This section tackles the challenge of attracting customers during times when your restaurant is typically less busy.
Identify Slow Periods: Analyze your sales data to pinpoint the specific days or times when customer traffic dips.
You can then develop special promotions to attract customers during these specific off-peak hours.
A few popular options include happy hours, early bird specials, and some lunch specials as well.
During off-peak hours, emphasize the value proposition of your promotions. This could be affordability, convenience, or a unique dining experience that is not available during peak times.
Promote effectively by spreading the word about your off-peak hour specials through social media, email marketing, in-restaurant signage, or even local flyers.
Optimizing your website for local search is crucial for attracting customers in your area.
Integrate keywords that include your city, town, or neighborhood into your website content. For example, instead of just "bakery," use "best bakery in [your city]" or "[city name] artisan bread bakery."
A Google Business Profile (formerly Google My Business) is a free and essential tool for local businesses. Claim and verify your listing to ensure your restaurant appears in Google Maps and local search results.
Positive reviews on your Google Business Profile significantly enhance your local SEO ranking and build trust with potential customers. Encourage satisfied diners to leave reviews directly on your profile.
Consider implementing restaurant management software to streamline tasks like order taking, payment processing, and table management. This can free up staff time and expedite service. You should also Invest in staff training to ensure your team is efficient and knowledgeable. Train your servers on menu recommendations, upselling techniques, and handling guest requests promptly.
The goal is to strike a balance:
A concise and well-organized menu can help customers make quicker decisions, reducing ordering time. Further, Implementing a system for staggered seating can help distribute customer flow and prevent overwhelming the kitchen during peak times.
The aim is to nurture relationships with your customers, not bombard them. Focus on sending valuable content like new menu updates, special offers, event invitations, or loyalty program updates.
Ensure all information on your Google My Business profile listing is accurate and up-to-date. This includes your restaurant name, address, phone number, website link, operating hours, and any special closures.
Inaccurate information can lead to frustrated customers who may show up during off-hours or expect a different menu.
Consider what products would resonate with your customer base. For example, you may provide bottled versions of your signature sauces, spice blends, or marinades used in popular dishes. You may also design and sell your very own merchandise that showcases your restaurant's logo and identity.
Branded merchandise acts as walking advertisements, promoting your restaurant wherever customers take them. These items provide additional touchpoints for customers to interact with your brand beyond just dining at your restaurant.
Be Responsive: Make it a habit to regularly check social media mentions and review platforms like Yelp, Google My Business, and TripAdvisor.
Respond to All Reviews: Acknowledge all reviews, both positive and negative. Thank customers for positive feedback and express appreciation for their business.
Address Negative Reviews Promptly: Don't shy away from negative reviews. Respond promptly, professionally, and apologetically. Acknowledge the customer's concern and outline the steps you'll take to address the issue.
Customer feedback provides a goldmine of insights into your strengths and weaknesses. Analyze reviews to identify common themes, both positive and negative.
These reviews generally end up revealing popular dishes and highlighting areas where your menu might be lacking
This guide has explored a range of powerful strategies you can implement to increase your restaurant's sales and cultivate a thriving business
You should start by focusing on upselling and using technology to optimize your delivery system because this is in demand at the moment. Move on to having a strong social media presence to show off your signature styles and bring in customers for all your special events and offers.
Furthermore, make it a point to take customer feedback very seriously and engage actively with your audience to ensure success in the long run.
For all those excited about starting their own food franchise one day, Kouzina’s wide range of brands and offers await!
