One of the most important things about running a restaurant is making sure you get enough customers. Having sufficient business is essential for maintaining profits and ensuring your restaurant is a success in the long term.
There are many ways to get more business through the doors of your restaurant. Promotions can work well, as they offer customers something new and interesting. However, it isn’t possible to have constant promotions or discounts all the time. Growing your business effectively requires a solid marketing strategy.
Buyer Behaviour
Happy Hours and special deals can be good ways of getting more customers on slower days, such as during mid-week. However, buyer behavior is hard to change; people always want to go out for meals more often at the weekend. It can make more sense to concentrate your efforts on the busiest days and try to turn new customers into regulars.
Kitchen Equipment
Before thinking about marketing, remember the importance of good kitchen equipment that is reliable and effective. For example, a high-quality glass door refrigerator can mean food is easy to see and locate in a busy kitchen. This can speed up the preparation process and increase productivity in the kitchen.
Also consider staff training. Good customer service is also essential, so staff should be presentable, friendly, know the menu well, and be prepared to answer customer questions. Guests feel let down by broken promises, so waiting for food should be kept to a minimum.
Communication
When dealing with customers it is vitally important to make sure your staff are fully trained and aware of what to say and how to resolve a situation if one was to occur. If you are struggling with public relations perhaps a PR Cheltenham company found at links like https://headonpr.co.uk/
Marketing Strategy
A good marketing strategy should aim to fill the restaurant at the weekend if these are your busiest days. Getting new customers to keep returning to your business is the key to long-term growth. Concentrate first on the brand side of marketing – a good website and menu – then use promotions strategically and not only during mid-week. For more tips on marketing a growing business, check out this handy guide from the BBC business team.
A good marketing ploy is to give small freebies regularly, such as little extras as a starter, a side or with dessert. Customers will remember freebies, however small, and this could make the difference between choosing your restaurant over another. Remember to concentrate strong marketing efforts on busy days, as this is when most people will experience the restaurant.