Running an eatery takes lots of time and efforts, but the rewards can be quite tasty, especially when it comes to your revenue stream.
With that in mind, take some time to do an inventory of your restaurant, seeing what is working and where you may need to do a little more cooking to improve things.
Think Outside the Box on Growing Your Restaurant
Start by looking at how your restaurant stands out from other competitive eateries in the neighborhood.
Make sure you have the best:
- Food – While this sounds like a no-brainer, you might be surprised how many restaurants drop the ball when it comes to sound food at times. The entire reason you’re in business in the first place is to offer great food and service at affordable prices, so make sure you’re cooking up winners when it comes to your food. Bringing out new dishes from time to time is certainly encouraged, but be sure your standard offerings never lose their tasty appeal;
- Service – As important as the food is your customer service is high up there on the list too. One way to test how good customer service is at your establishment is going to similar restaurants and comparing the service. Go at both busy and slower times to see if there is an uptick or drop down in service. Take notes so you can make any necessary changes at your establishment, allowing your eatery to be on top in giving customers the service they want and require;
- Seating – Even though you may think food and service outshine everything (yes, they are critical to your success as a restaurant business owner), making patrons feel comfortable and relaxed when they come to your eatery isn’t something you want to overlook either. Whether it is indoor accommodations such as comfortable booth seating in a private corner or choosing to buy the best patio furniture for restaurants, make sure your guests enjoy where and how they sit. That said there are deals out there to be had if you keep your eyes open. While you do not want shoddy furniture for your business, buying in bulk and always being alert to when furniture stores have specials available is key. It is also important to have good lighting so that diners are not troubled in reading their menus etc. Lastly, also make it a point to keep noise at a minimum, as having to shout at the person or persons across from you is not appreciated;
- Entertainment – Yes, patrons come to eat and drink at your establishment, but that does not mean they can’t be entertained to some degree at the same time. One thing to remember with any entertainment offerings is that you don’t want the entertainment (sound, imagery etc.) to take away from the dining experience, the first and foremost reason guests come to your restaurant. Some eateries have special nights of the week for events that combine food and entertainment, especially in the later evening hours;
- Marketing – Any restaurant worth its weight in gold should be always looking at how to get the best out of its marketing dollars. How you define your marketing and advertising efforts goes a long way in contributing or taking away from your ability to be successful. One way to better your marketing initiatives is by having a solid idea of who comes to your eatery. Knowing the demographics (approximate ages, incomes, eating habits etc.) of your clientele is very important, especially with all the competition that is out there for a limited amount of dollars. You should also look into (if you haven’t already) using video to promote your brand. Professionally shot videos are a great way for you to highlight what your restaurant offers in terms of food, drinks, specials, entertainment and more;
- Socialize – Take advantage of every opportunity you get to socialize your restaurant via social media, networking among other businesses, trade shows etc. If you have customers engage you on your Facebook, Twitter and other social pages, make sure you take the time to respond to them (short of negative battles back-and-forth). Given today’s social age, it isn’t uncommon for customers to review their dining out experiences online, so be sure you give them every reason to give you a thumbs-up.
From saving money on your dining furniture to having the best food and service, your restaurant can eat up the profits when you do things the right way.
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