As the leaves start to turn and pumpkin spice takes over the world, it’s time to embrace fall—both in the season and in your restaurant restaurant marketing strategy. In today’s ever-competitive dining scene, serving up delicious food is just one slice of the pie. You’ve got to be out there restaurant marketing your restaurant if you want to keep those seats warm and those tables full as the weather cools down.
So, let’s talk about how you can spice up your restaurant marketing this fall and beyond (no pumpkin required—unless that’s your thing). 🍂
Why should I market my restaurant this fall? Than a Good Pumpkin Pie
Picture this: You’ve got the coziest atmosphere, an amazing seasonal menu (hello, maple-glazed everything), but your restaurant’s half-empty. Why? Because people don’t know about you! Restaurant marketing isn’t just an add-on—it’s your key to getting people in the door, and more importantly, bringing them back again and again.
Not only does restaurant marketing help you reach new restaurant customers, but it also strengthens relationships with your regulars, gets your brand out there, and lets you stand out from the competition. And in a season where everyone’s snuggled in front of Netflix, you’ve got to remind them why leaving their couch is so worth it.
What’s in It for You?
Benefits of fall restaurant marketing
- More Foot Traffic (and Web Traffic): A solid restaurant marketing strategy gets your restaurant noticed—online and offline.
- Higher Sales: Marketing isn’t just about filling seats—it’s about filling plates with your most profitable dishes. Strategic upselling can work wonders.
- Stronger Customer Loyalty: Who doesn’t love feeling special? With targeted restaurant marketing, you can keep your regulars coming back for more seasonal delights.
- Beating Out the Competition: If you’re not telling the world about your famous apple pie, your competitors will tell them about theirs. And guess what? They’ll win.
Fall restaurant marketing strategies that work
Now that we’ve convinced you that restaurant marketing is essential (and more exciting than carving a pumpkin), let’s dive into the tactics you can use to get people lining up for your fall specials. Spoiler alert: It’s more than just posting a picture of your latest pumpkin spice latte on Instagram.
1. Optimizing your restaurant’s website for fall
Your website is like your digital front door—it’s the first thing people see before they decide to visit. Make sure it’s as inviting as your restaurant’s actual front door, with a warm, autumnal touch.
- Local SEO: People will be Googling “best places for brunch this fall,” so make sure you show up. Claim your Google My Business listing and fill it with drool-worthy photos, accurate hours, and stellar reviews.
- Mobile Optimization: The days of squinting at tiny text on a phone are long gone—don’t let a clunky mobile site scare away potential diners. Keep your site sleek, quick, and easy to navigate.
2. Restaurant social media marketing for fall
If you haven’t posted a steaming bowl of butternut squash soup on your Instagram, what are you waiting for? But seriously, social media can do wonders for your restaurant—especially when you make it fun.
- Instagram-Worthy Content: Whether it’s an artsy shot of your seasonal decor or a boomerang of hot cider being poured, make it drool-worthy. And don’t forget to sprinkle in behind-the-scenes kitchen magic or fall drink recipes for a personal touch.
- Hashtags and Trends: Jump on seasonal hashtags like #FallVibes or #SweaterWeather. People love discovering cozy spots during autumn, and your restaurant could be their next favorite find.
- Influencer Love: Invite local foodies and influencers to try your seasonal menu and let them spread the word for you. Their posts and stories can reach a whole new audience that might otherwise miss you.
3. Restaurant email and SMS marketing during fall Like Sending a Warm Fall Hug
Connect with your diners on their phones by delivering the right offer at the perfect moment.
- Emails They Actually Open: Don’t just send a boring newsletter—jazz it up with exclusive fall offers, upcoming events, and tasty sneak peeks of new menu items. Throw in a recipe or two (because who doesn’t want to learn how to make your famous butternut squash risotto?).
- SMS for Flash Sales: A quick text about a mid-week fall special or a limited-time discount can be all it takes to turn a slow night into a full house. Plus, texts get opened faster than you can say “hot apple cider.”
4. Fall restaurant promotions that create buzz
Just like you’d toast a marshmallow to perfection, you can craft irresistible promotions.
- Seasonal Specials & Happy Hours: Sure, everyone loves a happy hour, but make it seasonal. Think spiced cocktails or half-off on hearty fall dishes like beef stew or roasted squash.
- Limited-Time Menus: Play on diners’ FOMO by creating fall-only dishes. Pumpkin ravioli? Cinnamon donuts? Yes, please. Make sure everyone knows they only have until the leaves are gone to try them.
5. Creating a fall restaurant loyalty program with a Little Extra Spice
Your regulars are your restaurant’s bread and butter (or should we say pumpkin and spice?), so treat them well with restaurant loyalty programs they’ll fall in love with.
- Digital Loyalty Programs: Skip the punch card and offer digital rewards that track visits or spending. Whether it’s a free dessert after five meals or a seasonal drink on the house, your regulars will feel appreciated.
- VIP Perks: Give your best restaurant customers early access to fall tasting events or special invites to your next harvest dinner party. Make them feel like they’re part of the inner circle.
6. Building restaurant partnerships during fall events
Nothing says “we care” like being active in your local community during the year’s best season. 🍂
- Local Collaborations: Partner with a nearby brewery for a fall beer pairing dinner or team up with a local bakery for a dessert and coffee night. These events will bring in locals and introduce you to new crowds.
- Fall Fairs & Events: Sponsor or host a booth at a local harvest festival or pumpkin patch. Bring samples of your best fall dishes to lure in the crowds (and their taste buds).
7. Managing your restaurant’s online reviews in fall
The good, the bad, and the ugly—online reviews come with the territory, and they matter. In fact, they can make or break someone’s decision to visit your restaurant.
- Encourage Positive Reviews: Happy restaurant customers? Encourage customers to leave a review on Google or Yelp. Make it easy by adding a review reminder on receipts or follow-up emails.
- Respond with Care: When a review comes in—good or bad—respond thoughtfully. Thank them for the compliments, address any issues, and always invite them back for another (better) experience. A little online charm goes a long way.
Level Up with Applova’s Restaurant Tech
Now, let’s talk about how you can make your fall restaurant marketing even smoother with the help of Applova’s restaurant technology. 🍂
- Self-Serve Kiosks: Let diners take charge of their own ordering with self-serve kiosks, cutting down wait times and giving your staff a breather.
- On-the-Go POS: Applova’s handheld POS systems make it easier than ever for servers to take orders and process payments tableside. More efficiency, more happy diners.
- QR Menus & Contactless Ordering: As diners settle into the fall season, they want a seamless experience. With Applova’s QR menus, restaurant customers can view and order right from their phones—no wait, no fuss.
- Loyalty Integration: Keep your best restaurant customers coming back with Applova’s restaurant loyalty program integration, tracking every visit and purchase with ease.
Final Slice: Fall Marketing with a Side of Success 🍂
As autumn rolls in, so do the opportunities to make your restaurant the cozy, go-to spot for fall fanatics. With these restaurant marketing tactics (and a sprinkle of Applova’s technology), you can create an unforgettable fall experience for your diners, keep those seats full, and make this season your best yet.
Now go forth, pumpkin spice in hand, and watch the magic happen! 🍁
SPICE UP YOUR FALL MARKETING WITH APPLOVA AND BOOST PROFITS!