If you’ve got a booming restaurant, then you know it’s not just the dishes that keep folks happy and coming back for more. At the heart of nearly every business is the customer experience, and it starts the moment they walk through the door.
With over three decades of experience in tailoring environments to suit customer preferences, we’ve gained invaluable insights for restaurant owners and managers to expand their reach, drive more foot traffic, and increase average check values.
Below are 6 creative ways to boost your restaurant business:
- Get Exclusive Access to Live Sports Events
- Leverage the Power of Social Media
- Build an Email List with a Loyalty Program
- Offer Unique Event Day Specials
- Build Trust & Encourage Online Reviews
- Partner with Other Local Businesses
1. GET EXCLUSIVE ACCESS TO LIVE SPORTS EVENTS
Showing live sports in your restaurant is a game-changing strategy to drive growth for your business. Harnessing the excitement of live sports events can unlock a world of opportunities, from attracting new customers to fostering loyalty among existing ones.
Sports fans are always on the lookout for venues where they can catch the latest games on big screens. By offering live sports, you tap into a dedicated demographic that seeks out such experiences and the camaraderie that comes along with it, turning your restaurant into a go-to spot for group gatherings.
Additionally, sporting events often have a longer duration, which means customers are likely to stay in your restaurant for extended periods of time. This leads to increased food and beverage orders, ultimately boosting average check value.
Keep in mind that you can’t just turn on your bar TV’s and start streaming all your preferred live sports content, as you will run into piracy issues that may result in large fines and penalties. Partnering with a content partner such as Joe Hand Promotions ensures that you gain the access your establishment needs, without breaking the law.
Whether it’s showing highly anticipated UFC or boxing events, or other premium sports events like college football, Joe Hand Promotions empowers you to curate a selection that aligns with your audience.
2. LEVERAGE THE POWER OF SOCIAL MEDIA
Posting on your bar’s social media pages is a powerful tool for engaging with your customers, building brand loyalty, and increasing foot traffic. The beauty of social media is it allows you to stay connected with your customers even when they’re not at the restaurant. Not sure where to start? Just remember to:
- Post consistently to keep your restaurant top-of-mind and build a sense of community
- Publish pictures and drool worthy videos of unique aspects of your restaurant that are customer favorites to make them eager to visit soon.
- Promote upcoming events as early as possible for customers to plan ahead and mark their calendars.
3. BUILD AN EMAIL LIST WITH A LOYALTY PROGRAM
Building an email list should be one of your top priorities as it provides a direct, personalized, and cost-effective means of communication with your customers. Unlike social media or advertising (which don’t guarantee visibility to your existing customers), emails have a higher likelihood of being seen.
How do you build an email list? The simplest way is to develop a loyalty program that offers unique specials and discounts to those subscribed. By offering rewards and incentives to your regular customers, you not only grow your email list, but increase customer retention and foster a sense of appreciation and exclusivity.
4. OFFER UNIQUE EVENT DAY SPECIALS
Lean in and create an experience your customers will remember (and share on social media) by offering unique specials tailored to the big live sports event your restaurant is featuring. For example, you can introduce specialty appetizers or specials inspired by the teams playing.
Encourage customers to share their experience on social media using relevant hashtags, and consider running contests or giveaways where participants have a chance to win gift certificates. These interactive elements not only generate buzz around your restaurant, but also attract new customers.
5. BUILD TRUST & ENCOURAGE ONLINE REVIEWS
Prioritizing and managing your online reputation is a strategic move for long-term growth and sustained success in the competitive restaurant industry. In the age of Tik Tok trends and Yelp, customers often turn to reviews and word of mouth to make decisions.
The first step is to make it simple for customers to leave a review. Digitally, make sure to display icons and links to review platforms on your website, social media pages, and emails. Within the restaurant, you should have QR codes featured on table tents, checks, and posted near the exit.
You can incentivize customers such as offering a discount on their next visit in exchange for a review or organize a contest or giveaways where customers have a chance to win a prize in exchange for a social media post, etc.
6. PARTNER WITH OTHER LOCAL BUSINESSES
Collaborating with local businesses who match your vibe allows you to tap into their customer base and introduce your restaurant to new audiences who may not have known about you otherwise. It’s an excellent way to attract potential customers and increase foot traffic.
Partnering with local businesses on marketing campaigns is also a cost-effective way to expand reach. By sharing marketing expenses and efforts, you can reach more potential customers without straining your budget. This can include co-hosted events, shared social media campaigns, or even jointly designed promotional materials.
YOU’RE READY TO INCREASE TRAFFIC & BOOST RESTAURANT SALES
Remember, it’s not just about the food; it’s about crafting a memorable customer experience that begins the moment they step through the door and remains long after they’re gone. By implementing these 6 strategies, you’ll be well on your way to increasing traffic and boosting your bottom line.
PLUS: Joe Hand Promotions provides you with all the marketing materials required to promote upcoming events so you can focus on what matters, increasing traffic and boosting average check values.
ABOUT JOE HAND PROMOTIONS
We bring fan communities into bars, restaurants, casinos and cinemas for unforgettable viewing experiences. With our deep portfolio of live sports and entertainment content, we can amplify the experience you want to deliver your clientele. Our team will help you promote your sports content and watch parties to new and existing patrons, with a focus on maximizing retention and driving your business forward. Turn viewers into advocates, and visitors into loyal customers.