Growth and new customer is key
It has been over two years since my last post. Shame on me but I'm committed to you - the restaurant community. I'll write more if you'll do the same!
Growth and new customer is key in the current economy. We hear questions about "when" the economy will return to normal or why isn't the economy turning around but the realization is that perhaps this is the "new normal". Spikes and dips usually reflect results that cannot be sustained and therefore we all need to operate in the middle of the road. What does this mean? It means you can't freeze up but you can't go on a spending freeze either.
We speak with restaurant owners all the time. Is business good? The answer is somewhat inconsequential as everyone's answer should be the same; Business could be better.
Here are some quick and inexpensive ways to drive traffic into your business now:
Offer all customers something (a free drink, a free dessert, a sample of something you want to put on your menu, etc. Use your lowest food cost items to entice frequent visits.
Drive new customer's in with an introductory price. Entree for 1/2 when they sign up as a new customer (obtain name, address, email, phone, etc.) so that you can market to them at a later date.
Plan a monthly event. Think Cinco De Mayo but you create it. Use your imagination.
Lastly, find new ways to get your name out there. Free websites are great but sometimes paying a little can go a long way. As the owner of MenuSearch.Net, I know free is enticing but if you can drive 2, 3, 4, 10 times the traffic customer's into your restaurant for a few dollars, do it!
Too many great restaurants are going out of business like Tavern on the Green and that is not what any of us want.
Growth and new customer is key in the current economy. We hear questions about "when" the economy will return to normal or why isn't the economy turning around but the realization is that perhaps this is the "new normal". Spikes and dips usually reflect results that cannot be sustained and therefore we all need to operate in the middle of the road. What does this mean? It means you can't freeze up but you can't go on a spending freeze either.
We speak with restaurant owners all the time. Is business good? The answer is somewhat inconsequential as everyone's answer should be the same; Business could be better.
Here are some quick and inexpensive ways to drive traffic into your business now:
Offer all customers something (a free drink, a free dessert, a sample of something you want to put on your menu, etc. Use your lowest food cost items to entice frequent visits.
Drive new customer's in with an introductory price. Entree for 1/2 when they sign up as a new customer (obtain name, address, email, phone, etc.) so that you can market to them at a later date.
Plan a monthly event. Think Cinco De Mayo but you create it. Use your imagination.
Lastly, find new ways to get your name out there. Free websites are great but sometimes paying a little can go a long way. As the owner of MenuSearch.Net, I know free is enticing but if you can drive 2, 3, 4, 10 times the traffic customer's into your restaurant for a few dollars, do it!
Too many great restaurants are going out of business like Tavern on the Green and that is not what any of us want.
Labels: Drive Traffic, Free Restaurant Advertising, New Customers, New Economy, Restaurant Marketing
posted by Erik Foubert | 7:58 AM
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