December 1, 2023

Seven Strategies to Help Gain New Business for Your Restaurant

If you’re a restaurant owner, you know all too well the importance of finding and retaining new customers. Fortunately, there are plenty of well established, research-backed tactics at your disposal to keep customers coming. If you’ve got the basics covered and you’re looking for new ways to drive incremental business, we’ve got seven strategies that can help you do just that:

1.) Offer Delivery and Curbside Pickup

If your restaurant does not already offer delivery and curbside, it’s may be time. Since the pandemic, many consumers have adopted new dining habits that involve enjoying meals at home, instead of on-premise. It’s important to know your area and understand your customer. If you’re in an urban environment with working professionals, offering pickup is a must. If you’re in a suburb with busy families, then delivery may be best suited to their on-the-go lifestyles. You could access additional restaurant customers, maybe even loyal return customers, by offering prompt delivery and smooth curbside pickups.

2.) Partner with Local Hotels & Motels to Promote Your Restaurant

Business and leisure travelers are valuable sources of business, depending on your location. Restaurants near hotels, motels, and vacation rentals may benefit by providing copies of their takeout menus to those locations for travelers that are too busy to research dining options. This is a great way to jump the SEO line by getting in front of your customer at the right moment. Your restaurant could provide a great meal at the end of a long day, a healthy option after days of fast food, or a kid’s menu that rescues tired parents on a trip.

3.) Get Playful on Social Media

Social media can be a very effective channel for restaurant visibility and building rapport with your local customer base. Show off your restaurant’s personality and build relationship with your community through your social media accounts. Also, consider following specific topics so that you can respond when someone says, “I really want some curry” or “Feeling sick? Need chicken soup?” You might be surprised at the business you earn from responses that are timely, funny, and personable. The important takeaway here is that you want to be an active, engaged participant in your local area – making sure your community knows that they play a central role in your success. 

4.) Keep Your Business Information Accurate on online platforms

The majority of consumers (over 62%) today start their restaurant search on Google . To get those views, clicks, and ultimately, orders, make sure your hours and other information are always accurately listed. This includes updating the last hour you accept delivery orders and keeping your online menu current. There are also tools available for restaurants which allow you to add a detailed menu, high resolution photos, FAQ details and more. 

5.) Have Your Restaurant Menu Included in the New Resident Packet

A new resident moving into your city could be the perfect moment to earn a new regular. For example, new residents in apartment and condo communities may receive a packet that includes neighborhood information and resources. Connect with property managers in your community to ensure your restaurant or takeout menu are included as a resource in these packets. You could be getting orders before new locals finish unpacking their kitchens.

6.) Send Your Restaurant’s Take-Out Menu with Every Order

As third-party ordering platforms continue to be popular, you can also think about including your take-out/delivery menu with every order you pack up so customers can conveniently post that menu to their fridge or drop it in their takeout drawer. In the future, this can help customers order directly through your restaurant instead of ordering through third parties – potentially saving you and your customer money on added fees. You want to be top of mind for your customer the next time they’re considering what they’d like to eat. Having your menu at their disposal could be the small reminder they need to order from your restaurant versus someone else’s.

7.) Incorporate Smooth Online Ordering on Your Restaurant Website

Lastly, make sure your online ordering process is smooth and easy to follow. If you don’t have your own online ordering platform, establishing one could be a great next step. Call it a sign of the times, but some consumers prefer to be able to order online without having to speak with anyone directly. Having your own online ordering partner that allows orders from outside of third-party delivery apps can also help in eliminating costly fees that can add up when relying on third-party platforms.

Disclosure:

This article was adapted from content originally written and published by Priority. Learn More About Priority. This article contains general information and is not intended to provide information that is specific to American Express, or it’s products and services.