Restaurant Marketing: The Complete Guide

Bringing fresh faces through your doors is crucial for growth. In fact, 44% of companies focus more on acquiring new customers than retaining current ones .Try these tips to entice new diners:

Give a Virtual Tour Create a virtual tour

Also known as Business View—by hosting a photo shoot with a Google-approved photographer. This eye-catching preview lets potential customers explore your restaurant's ambiance and dishes before visiting.

Business View appears on your Google Places page, making it visible in search results. After viewing the tour, customers are likely to check out the rest of your business profile. You can also embed the tour on your website and share it on social media.

The impact? 84% of customers say virtual tours influence their dining choices, and 50% of customers who viewed a tour made an online reservation, compared to just 20% without the tour .

Accept Online Reservations

In our digital world, your online presence speaks volumes. Ensure your website is fresh, modern, and mobile-friendly, as many potential diners browse on their phones.

An online reservation system is a simple yet effective feature. In fact, customers list it as the most important online feature a restaurant can offer .Services like NexTable and Reservation Genie provide tools you can add to your website. While there's usually a modest fee, the convenience factor can significantly boost your reservations.

Offer Coupons

Offer Irresistible Deals Creating compelling offers for customers remains one of the most effective ways to attract new diners and win back existing ones. According to RetailMeNot, 90% of diners have searched for a restaurant coupon at least once .

For new customers, consider a distinctive deal that encourages first-time visits, like a free entrée with the purchase of one at regular price. This type of offer often leads to diners bringing friends, doubling your reach.

Make your coupons easily discoverable and shareable by posting them on your website and social media. As you collect customer information, you can refine your approach, identifying potential loyal customers and providing them with incentives to keep coming back.

Create Share-Worthy Moments

With nearly two-thirds of adults using social media, according to Pew Research, it's a uniquely effective marketing channel .Inspire customers to talk about you on their own platforms by creating small but meaningful experiences they'll want to share.

For example, New York-based Chalk Point Kitchen welcomes every customer by writing their name on a chalkboard at their table. It's not just a warm welcome; it's share-worthy .

These moments can generate powerful word-of-mouth that catches the interest of new customers. Consider doing something unique that encourages diners to talk about your restaurant on social media.

Run Holiday and Event Promotions

Holidays offer great opportunities to capture new customers, as special occasions often encourage dining out. Offer holiday-themed deals—bonus points if they tie into the occasion, like 2-for-1 drinks on Valentine's Day or a Sunday brunch deal on Mother's Day.

Don't limit yourself to traditional holidays. Create new reasons to celebrate by promoting deals for lesser-known occasions, like National Margarita Day or National Fried Chicken Day .

Remember, sporting events are special occasions for many customers too. Promote your big screen TVs during major games and add some drink specials to the menu.

Dish Up a Delicious Loyalty Program

Serve your customers a tasty reward program and watch them come back for seconds. It's as easy as pie - customers earn points for every dollar spent, then redeem them for free desserts, discounts, or bonus entrees. Talk about a recipe for success!

The proof is in the pudding: loyalty program membership skyrocketed to 55 million in 2015, a mouth-watering 107% increase in just two years .Now that's something to sink your teeth into!

When whipping up your loyalty program, make sure it pairs well with your point-of-sale system. You want sign-ups and redemptions to be as smooth as butter, not gumming up your checkout line. And don't forget to plan for growth - your program should be as flexible as a fresh-baked pretzel!

Deliver the Goods

Sometimes, your customers' cravings hit when they're nestled on the couch. Be their culinary hero by bringing the feast to them! A piping hot 61% of diners say takeout and delivery options are key ingredients in choosing where to eat .Most folks order from restaurants they already know and love, so delivery is a great way to keep your regulars ordering again and again.

Spread the word about your delivery service like it's the special of the day. Showcase your takeout menu online, on social media, and with eye-catching signs in your restaurant.

Cook Up Some Community Spirit Why not add a dash of goodwill to your marketing recipe? Team up with a local nonprofit and watch your community connections simmer. Sponsor a little league team, serve up refreshments at a charity run, or host a food drive. It's a win-win - you'll feed hungry tummies and nurture your restaurant's reputation.

This partnership is the secret sauce that gets both your restaurant and the nonprofit some well-deserved attention. Don't forget to send out a press release - it's like ringing the dinner bell for local media!

Building these community ties could be just the cherry on top when customers are deciding where to grab lunch or bring the team for happy hour.

Cater to Your Business

Network Join your local business association or chamber of commerce - it's like pulling up a chair at the community table. Consider catering one of their meetings each year. Even something as simple as a light snack spread can plant the seeds of goodwill and give folks a taste of what you're serving up.

Support Your Fellow Local Businesses

Embrace the "local flavor" of your community! Shop at the farmer's market, feature local musicians, or turn your walls into a gallery for area artists. Recommend other local (non-competing) businesses to your customers, and they might just return the favor.

When your neighbors see you investing in the community, they'll be eager to grab a seat at your table. After all, good food and good business make the perfect pairing!

By implementing these strategies, you can attract new customers and keep your restaurant buzzing with activity. Remember, the key is to create experiences that are not only enjoyable but also shareable, helping to spread the word about your fantastic establishment.