Running a restaurant is about more than just serving great food—it’s about making sure people know you’re serving great food! That’s where restaurant marketing comes in. Whether you’re running a fine-dining establishment, a local café, or a busy food truck, restaurant marketing is the key to standing out and keeping your tables full.
But before we dive into the strategies, let’s talk about why restaurant marketing matters and how it can benefit your business.
Why should I market my restaurant?
You can have the best dishes in town, but if no one knows about them, your tables might stay empty. Restaurant restaurant marketing ensures you get noticed, reminding both new and returning restaurant customers why they should choose you over your competition.
Good restaurant marketing not only builds your brand’s identity but also helps you connect with your audience, turning first-time visitors into loyal regulars. It’s your chance to engage with restaurant customers, showcase what makes your restaurant unique, and drive steady traffic—even during the slowest times.
Benefits of restaurant marketing
- More Traffic (Both Online and In-Person): Effective restaurant marketing gets more eyes on your business, both in the digital world and at your physical location.
- Higher Sales: Not only will restaurant marketing bring in more restaurant customers, but it can also increase your average check size. Smart promotions, upselling, and showcasing higher-ticket menu items can lead to bigger orders.
- Customer Loyalty: With personalized promotions and restaurant loyalty programs, you can make sure your restaurant customers keep coming back.
- Competitive Edge: In a crowded market, standing out is essential. If you’re not restaurant marketing, someone else is—don’t let the competition take your spotlight.
Restaurant marketing strategies to keep you ahead
Now that we’ve covered why restaurant marketing is a must, let’s dive into the how. These tactics will help you get diners excited about your restaurant, turning casual visitors into raving fans.
1. Optimizing your restaurant’s website
Your restaurant website is your restaurant’s virtual storefront. It’s where potential restaurant customers go to check out your menu, learn about your vibe, and (hopefully) make a reservation. Make sure your website is user-friendly, visually appealing, and optimized for local searches.
- Local SEO: Claim and optimize your Google My Business listing. Add high-quality photos, up-to-date hours, and encourage satisfied restaurant customers to leave reviews. This will help you appear at the top when people search for restaurants in your area.
- Mobile Optimization: More than half of online restaurant searches happen on mobile devices. Make sure your site looks great on every screen, and loading speeds are lightning fast.
2. Restaurant social media marketing
Instagram and Facebook aren’t just for scrolling through vacation photos—they’re powerful social media tools to market your restaurant. Social media gives you the chance to show off your food, tell your story, and engage directly with your restaurant customers.
- Visual Storytelling: Post high-quality photos and videos of your most popular dishes, behind-the-scenes moments, and exciting events happening at your restaurant.
- Interactive Content: Use polls, Q&As, or live streams to engage your audience. Hosting a new menu tasting? Let your followers vote on the dishes they’d most like to try.
- Influencer Partnerships: Partner with local food bloggers or influencers who can spread the word about your restaurant. A well-timed Instagram post from an influencer can generate a huge buzz around your business.
3. Restaurant email and SMS marketing
Restaurant Email and SMS marketing may not seem as flashy as social media, but they’re some of the most effective ways to keep your restaurant customers in the loop.
- Email Campaigns: Regular newsletters can help you promote new menu items, events, and seasonal specials. Make your emails fun and informative with recipes, staff highlights, or exclusive behind-the-scenes content.
- SMS Marketing for Flash Offers: With an open rate of over 90%, SMS messages are an incredible way to get the word out about last-minute deals or limited-time offers.
4. Restaurant promotions that create buzz (and Sales)
A well-executed promotion can create a huge buzz and fill up your tables quickly.
- Happy Hours & Special Deals: Everyone loves a deal. Promote your happy hours or weekday specials on social media, your website, and in your emails.
- Limited-Time Offers: Create a sense of urgency with limited-time offers on select dishes or new menu items. Encourage restaurant customers to stop by before these specials disappear.
5. Creating a restaurant loyalty program That Rewards Regulars
One of the most effective ways to increase repeat visits is by rewarding your loyal restaurant customers. A well-crafted restaurant loyalty program can keep people coming back for more.
- Digital Loyalty Programs: Move beyond the traditional punch card. Digital restaurant loyalty programs can track purchases and reward restaurant customers with discounts or free items.
- Exclusive Perks: Consider offering exclusive perks like early access to new menus or invitations to members-only events. Make your restaurant customers feel special, and they’ll keep returning.
6. Building restaurant business partnerships
Forming partnerships with other local businesses can help you reach new restaurant customers and build goodwill within the community.
- Co-Host Events: Partner with a nearby brewery or bakery to host joint events. For example, a “Beer & Bites” night could pair your menu items with their craft brews, bringing in both of your audiences.
- Sponsor Community Events: Get involved in local events by sponsoring charity runs, fairs, or farmer’s markets. This gives you an opportunity to introduce your restaurant to a wider audience.
7. Managing your restaurant’s online reputation
Online reviews have become today’s word of mouth. A few great reviews can send waves of restaurant customers your way, while negative reviews can have the opposite effect—so it’s crucial to manage them.
- Encourage Reviews: Gently encourage your happy restaurant customers to leave a review on Google, Yelp, or TripAdvisor. Make it easy by adding a link to reviews in your follow-up emails or on your receipts.
- Respond Professionally: Negative reviews are bound to happen. Address them promptly, professionally, and with a solution. How you handle these situations can actually win restaurant customers back.
Powering Your Marketing with Technology
In today’s tech-savvy world, using restaurant technology can streamline your restaurant marketing efforts and provide a better experience for your restaurant customers. Here’s where Applova’s tech comes into play.
- Self-Service Kiosks & On-the-Go POS: Applova’s kiosks help streamline orders, reduce wait times, and boost order accuracy. Meanwhile, handheld POS systems allow your servers to take orders and process payments right at the table, improving efficiency.
- Digital Menus & Contactless Ordering: With QR codes and digital ordering options, restaurant customers can scan, browse, and order from their phones—no more waiting for the server to arrive.
- Loyalty Program Integration: Track customer behavior and offer rewards without the hassle. Applova’s POS systems seamlessly integrate restaurant loyalty programs to keep restaurant customers coming back.
- Data Insights for Smarter Marketing: Applova’s POS also provides detailed insights into customer preferences, allowing you to tailor your restaurant marketing efforts based on real data.
Final Slice: Restaurant Marketing with a Side of Success
Restaurant marketing isn’t just a “nice to have”—it’s essential to keeping your restaurant thriving. By leveraging the right restaurant marketing tactics, you’ll not only attract new diners but also keep them coming back for more. And with the help of Applova’s restaurant technology, you can make your restaurant marketing efforts even more efficient, turning every campaign into packed tables and happy restaurant customers.
Now, get out there, market like a pro, and watch your restaurant fill up in no time!