As a restaurateur or business owner, you know that attracting customers and encouraging return visits are both labors of love. We’re sharing ideas on how to increase your visits and profits.
Offer Easy Ways to Pay
If making a payment for their food is inconvenient, slow, or difficult, customers will not have an interest in returning to your business, regardless of how delicious your food or products are. An easy way to solve this problem is by looking at different types of restaurant POS systems or other software.
Today’s technologies provide varying point-of-sale possibilities. Choose from one or many options to find the best payment systems that work best for you and your customers. Here are some different types of POS systems:
- Self-service walk-up counter
- Tablets on tables
- Mobile restaurant POS
- Countertop terminal POS systems
- Online restaurant POS
There are pros and cons to each of these POS methods. And, as your business changes, innovates, and grows, you may want to add or change how you accept payments to better accommodate your customers and staff.
Nowadays people love being able to pay with such methods as Apple Pay, Samsung Pay and Google Pay.
Offer Catering Services
You have amazing food and it shows because your customers keep coming back for more. Why not add a service to your offerings?
Try including a catering service to increase exposure and profit opportunities. Catering has the benefit of adding customers without needing to expand your restaurant. Another benefit is increased cash flow because you require a deposit for securing your services.
Begin by creating a specific catering menu. Include many, if not all, of your standard restaurant dishes. Perhaps you can add new items that will work well at weddings, holiday events, and parties.
Strategically and subtly place your restaurant and catering service’s logo(s) throughout the venue. This way, you will advertise your food and encourage others to hire your company for their next event.
Create an Event Space
When people already enjoy your food and appreciate your friendly staff, they will want to come back time and time again. When it comes to special occasions, if you create an event space on the property, it will be even more of a reason for them to return and celebrate.
If you have extra indoor space, consider renovating it to accommodate parties, weddings, anniversaries, or holiday gatherings. Add a dancing area, photo booth, and accessibility. A special entrance will make the venue even more unique.
You can also partner with other small businesses to add these options.
Any additional outdoor areas can be reconfigured with strategic landscaping and fencing. Add special details such as ambient lighting, heaters for when the weather cools, creative seating options, and other decorative features.
In the event space, you can offer your standard house menu or design an entirely new one to add to the ambiance.
Here is a video of a variety of ways to make your restaurant more interesting and marketable.
Take proactive steps to increase traffic and new customers to your restaurant, which will, in turn, bolster your bottom line. Be innovative in taking advantage of time-saving technologies. Create inviting spaces within your restaurant for everyone to enjoy. Have fun with the process!
Marette Flora is the founder of Floradise blog and personalized gift shop. Marette is a passionate storyteller and creator. She attended the Walter Cronkite School of Journalism at Arizona State University and obtained a bachelor’s degree in journalism and mass communication.
She is passionate about creating helpful and meaningful things.