Who else wants to discover how to increase restaurant sales even in a slow economy?
As you previously discovered in part one of this series, you don’t have to struggle trying to figure out how to increase restaurant sales.
In fact, after reading part one of this series you probably have at least three to five new ideas about how you can inexpensively increase your sales by at least 25% in the next 90 days or less, correct?
And the best part is (have you noticed) that for the most part, you’re only spending a fraction of the traditional upfront out of pocket cost
in order to create this steady new stream of business?
Unlike your major competitors (who) are only too content to keep throwing gobs of money at expensive traditional sources like, local radio and TV ads etc.
How To Increase Restaurant Sales! (Even During A Recession!)
Here are three more incredibly simple (non techie) ways for you to systematically increase your restaurant sales (even during) a nagging recession, for pennies on the dollar.
Plus, these low cost high powered underground ninja marketing tactics, will help you easily out promote your major competitors and retain far more long term repeat customers, and save as much as 75% of your out of pocket costs while you do so.
First off, bare in mine your customers (especially) your extremely loyal repeat customers, return to your restaurant are not only coming there for the great food.
They’re also coming there for the overall dining out experience. So before you dive head long into these three specific (low cost) marketing tactics, trying to discover how to increase restaurant sales, you need to focus on some on these four simple (proven) preliminary -long term- marketing tactics as well.
A.) First off, make sure (you) or your manager on the site constantly checks the overall cleanliness of both bathrooms! Obviously the cleaner and fresher they are, the better your customers overall dining out experience will be!
B.) Another really big one that absolutely turns your (first time) and repeat customers off, be sure all of your staff (but especially) your waiters, waitresses and cashiers etc, never ever make your customers feel disrespected and or taken for granted!
Wanna Know How To Increase Sales Revenue And Profits Without Hiring Fancy Ad Agencies?
Because (if or when this happens)) they’re less likely to order more expensive items, come back or recommend your place to their friends, family and co-workers etc.
When you or your major competitors actually put a pencil to this one, hopefully you can see that long term, this misstep (could) potentially be costing you a fortune!
C.) This next one might be costing you a proverbial fortune! It’s the dreaded “disappearing” service person! You know as soon as they take your order, they disappear into the witness protection program. Or at least it seems like it, because you can’t seem to find them unless you hire a private detective!
D.) But of all the complaints the US Food Service’s (national) surveys has uncovered (to date) one of the biggest complaints your first time and repeat customers -consistently- have is; serving cold food that’s suppose to be served hot!
Nothing (according) to the US Food Services (national survey) of paying customers, irritates your valued customer base more than serving ‘cold food’ that’s supposed to be served hot!
The net result is, less expensive orders, lower tips for your service staff (ouch!) less repeat customers, more negative comments left on their Facebook pages and fewer positive recommendations to friends and family members etc!
Be Darn Sure At Least Some Of The Main Focus Of Your Marketing Strategies And Tactics Is To Increase Customer Retention!
(FYI: According to the latest stats released by the US Food Service, restaurant customers routinely spend about $16,000,000,000 Billion (with a B) dollars per year in tips!
So if you want to get your fair share of it, you need to pay attention to your customers grievances.
This long term ripple effects, really adds up (in a negative way) over time. Translated- you can’t afford it!
With that said, now you can focus on these three low cost high powered (non techie) marketing strategies.
Introducing Three More Incredibly Simple Ways To Increase Your Restaurant Sales Now!
1.) This first long term marketing strategy involves you effectively leveraging local organizations and or local affinity groups.
For ex; you might allow the local President, treasurer & secretary of a local Toast Masters, to get special 12 month VIP discount coupon that entitles them to free desert & beverages and 25% off their entire meal for one whole year!
Provided they agree to pass out your special free & drinks and desert with your next meal “new customer only” discount coupons to their members and their members family members and co-workers etc!
2.) This next (low cost) non techie sales increasing strategy involves your waiting staff, whenever your customers (especially) a group of five or more, asks for a glass of water (immediately) suggest your best selling (more expensive) bottled water.
Also, whenever they order a martini, (ask and or suggest) a specific brand of vodka or gin! These two incredibly simple (non threatening) strategies, will systematically add more to your bottom line each day, plus increase your wait staffs tips!
Inexpensively Increase Your Brand Awareness And You’ll Simultaneously Lower Your Upfront Out Of Pocket Costs!
If a mere 30% (or more) of your daily paying customers take advantage of this one simple upsell strategy, your grossing more money, without increasing your overall cost to do so!
3.) This one is huge, but it does take time. As soon as possible, have all of your staff (yourself) included, to get on a first name basis with all of your customers, their family (including their kids) and friends, co workers etc.
The more personal their dining out experience, the more they’ll order and they come back more often too! Also, be sure you train all of your staff on duty to (both) greet and acknowledge your customers as they exit your restaurant.
Nothing fancy, just a simple, “thanks for coming out! And hope to see you again real soon!” You’d be amazed what a little strategic acknowledgement will do.
So Why In The World Wouldn’t You Want To Increase Customer Loyalty As Often As Possible?
And speaking of exiting your your restaurant, if you notice their group has (either) kids under twelve or senior citizens, be sure your cashier hands them one of your local joint venture partners special VIP new customer only discount coupons that entitles them to rent three movies for just $.99 cents!
That will definitely get them into the appliance store for the very first time.
Give them a coupon so that the senior citizens get their next three beverages and deserts free! Provided they bring another adult over 18 with them on their next visit.
Hand date stamp it, so they have 60 days to use it! You start applying these three plus proven marketing tactics and you’ll never have to wonder how to increase restaurant sales again?
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who also target small business owners, service providers or aspiring startups entrepreneurs etc.
And they’re pro-actively looking for potential guest speakers. Please don’t hesitate to-either- pass their name and contact information directly
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marketing your small business or service. I Recently appeared on.)
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You’re right on, Mark…the Covid crisis is showing us that dining out, or having lunch with friends, co-works and colleagues at a restaurant is all part of the socialization that draws us to the cities. besides implementing all these good marketing ideas you’re giving to restaurant owners, they need to put in place strategies to upgrade the customer experience in their establishments.
Gina C. recently posted…How to deliver superior customer service in your restaurant business
Excellent points Gina C.
And hopefully they won’t fall on deaf ears.
Unfortunately, lots of times profit seeking entrepreneurs
have to have their financial backs literally pushed against
the wall before their willing to at least inexpensively A/B
split test some non traditional marketing strategies and tactics.
Excellent insights. Thanks so much for taking he time and
effort to stop by and share them.