Running a successful restaurant requires not only serving delicious food but also effectively promoting your establishment to attract more customers.
Good Ink is well-versed in the restaurant industry. We help supply restaurant owners across the country with custom shirts, restaurant uniforms, and retail-ready merchandise. In our experience working with restaurant owners, we’ve found there are several proven strategies and tactics you can use to promote your restaurant and increase footfall. From leveraging social media to hosting events, we will walk you through the top 16 things you should be focusing your efforts on to promote your restaurant.
16 Proven Restaurant Promotion Tactics
Create A Mouthwatering Menu
The foundation of any successful restaurant promotion begins with an enticing menu. When you make food that people enjoy, your food will promote itself. Ensure that your menu reflects the uniqueness of your culinary offerings. Use descriptive language and high-quality images to entice potential diners. Offering seasonal specials and signature dishes can also generate interest and excitement among your target audience.
Stay Consistent With Social Media
Social media platforms are powerful tools for restaurant promotion. Establish a strong presence on popular platforms like Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok. Engage with your audience by posting captivating food pictures, behind-the-scenes glimpses, and customer reviews. Run contests, offer exclusive deals, and collaborate with food influencers to expand your reach.
Turn Your Takeout Supplies Into Ads
Supplies you use for takeout orders like disposable cups, bags, and coffee sleeves would normally be inventory expenses that wouldn’t serve a purpose beyond holding food. However, you can have your takeout supplies performing promotion work for you with custom-branded takeout supplies. When your restaurant utilizes disposables like
custom-printed plastic cups or
custom-printed paper bags, your brand gets carried out of your physical location into the outside world where it’s seen by hundreds of people. When customers post photos of their takeout orders on social, your brand exposure increases exponentially. Branded disposables are one of the most cost-effective forms of advertising your restaurant can engage in in terms of cost per impression and it’s the reason large national chains brand all of their takeout containers.
Craft A Compelling Website
Your restaurant's website is the virtual face of your business. Ensure it showcases your brand identity, features stunning visuals, and provides a seamless user experience. Create an intuitive and user-friendly layout that makes it easy for visitors to find essential information such as the menu, location, hours of operation, and contact details.
Leverage Local SEO
Optimize your restaurant's website for local SEO to ensure it appears in relevant search results. Use location-based keywords throughout your website, including meta descriptions and headings. Encourage customers to leave positive reviews on platforms like your Google Business Profile, Yelp, and TripAdvisor to enhance your local visibility.
Offer Online Ordering And Delivery
Incorporate online ordering and delivery services to cater to the growing demand for convenience. Partner with food delivery platforms or set up your own delivery system. Offering promotional discounts on online orders can further incentivize customers to choose your restaurant over others.
Plan Exciting Events
Organize events to create buzz around your restaurant. Wine tasting nights, live music performances, or themed parties can draw in new customers and retain loyal ones. Collaborate with local artists or community groups to make your events more engaging and meaningful. Good Ink can help you print
promotional items for your restaurant events like water bottles, koozies, or tumblers that you can give away at your events. Event attendees can walk away with branded items that help you spread your restaurant’s brand recognition even further.
Run Influencer Collaborations
Teaming up with influencers and food bloggers can significantly boost your restaurant's visibility. Invite them for a complimentary dining experience and encourage them to share their honest reviews on their social media channels. Positive reviews from reputable influencers can have a considerable impact on your restaurant's reputation.
Implement Loyalty Programs
Rewarding loyal customers is an effective way to promote repeat business. Design a loyalty program that offers discounts, freebies, or exclusive access to special events. This will not only foster customer loyalty but also encourage them to refer your restaurant to friends and family.
Showcase Customer Testimonials
Testimonials and reviews from satisfied customers are powerful marketing tools. Feature glowing customer testimonials on your website and social media platforms. Potential diners are more likely to trust the opinions of their peers, making testimonials a valuable asset for restaurant promotion.
Collaborate With Other Local Businesses
Build partnerships with other local businesses to cross-promote each other. For example, offer discounts to customers who show a receipt from a neighboring store, and have them do the same for your restaurant. This cooperative effort can help expand your customer base and strengthen community ties.
Engage With Email Marketing
Create a mailing list and regularly send out engaging newsletters to your subscribers. Share updates, upcoming events, and exclusive offers to keep your audience informed and intrigued. Personalize your emails to make customers feel valued and appreciated.
Optimize For Mobile
In the age of smartphones, it's crucial to have a mobile-friendly website and online ordering system. Smartphones have been around for over a decade now, so you’d assume most websites would be optimized for mobile by now, but studies have found that approximately
33.9% of business sites on the web still aren’t optimized for mobile. Ensure that your website's design is responsive and user-friendly across various screen sizes. Many customers browse and make reservations using their mobile devices. You don’t want to lose potential customers to a bad mobile experience.
Offer Seasonal Promotions
Seasonal promotions can drive excitement and urgency among potential customers. Introduce limited-time dishes, holiday-themed events, or special discounts tied to specific seasons. This encourages customers to visit your restaurant during specific periods and enhances the overall dining experience.
Enhance Your Ambiance And Decor
A restaurant's ambiance and decor play a vital role in attracting and retaining customers. Create a welcoming and aesthetically pleasing atmosphere that aligns with your restaurant's theme and cuisine. Comfortable seating, proper lighting, and stylish decor can leave a lasting impression on diners.
Engage with the Community
Get involved in community events and sponsor local initiatives to showcase your restaurant's commitment to the neighborhood. Participate in food festivals, charity events, or volunteer activities. This involvement can boost your restaurant's reputation and increase community support.
How Long Does It Take To See Results From Restaurant Promotion?
The timeline for seeing results from restaurant promotion efforts can vary depending on the strategies employed. Some tactics, like social media marketing, may yield quicker results, while others, such as loyalty programs, may take time to build a loyal customer base. Generally speaking, it can take anywhere from six to nine months to yield results from promotional marketing efforts. Remember that promoting your restaurant is an ongoing process that requires creativity, persistence, and adaptability. By implementing a combination of online and offline strategies, you can effectively reach your target audience and establish a strong brand presence. Remember to stay genuine, prioritize customer satisfaction, and keep experimenting with new promotional ideas to keep your restaurant thriving.
Promote Your Restaurant With Custom Printing From Good Ink
As a custom screen printing company, Good Ink can help you promote your restaurant with custom-printed
shirts,
hoodies,
hats,
face masks, and more. Our custom-printed apparel for restaurants can be used for employee uniforms, or as merchandise for customers. We service restaurants around the country and we’d love to show you the difference we can make in your restaurant branding efforts. We offer free quotes and free design work for custom apparel. You can speak with a Good Ink team member by pressing the live chat button on this page, filling out a
quote request form, or starting to design your custom apparel.
