The restaurant business is getting competitive and concentrated. Owners are looking for innovative ways to stay ahead of the competition while maintaining the quality of their food.
Whether you’re starting a new restaurant or rebranding an old one, here are five hidden strategies to boost your restaurant’s revenue:
Rethink the Menu
Menu engineering refers to the process of designing a menu to boost profits. Your restaurant’s menu should incorporate various layouts, colors, and designs to be visually appealing. Here are some tips to optimize your menu:
- Categorize menu items. Make different sections for starters, main courses, desserts, and beverages.
- Use high-quality and real-time images to entice customers.
- Mention the main ingredients of a dish on the menu and add spice level if applicable.
- Highlight best-selling items.
- The layout and colors of your menu should reflect the overall image of the restaurant.
- Accommodate dietary restrictions and preferences.
Don’t overcomplicate the items; keep it simple. Try to stick to a reasonable pricing strategy. Constant fluctuations in pricing can be a huge turn-off for customers.
Buy Products in Bulk
The quality and taste of your menu items should be consistent. Changing vendors every few weeks can lead to low customer satisfaction. To tackle this, consider dealing with a wholesale supplier. This is especially applicable to crucial products such as bread, milk, and meat. Through a wholesale bulk frozen bread supplier, you can have high-quality and freshly made bread at all times. Other benefits of bulk purchasing include:
- Cost efficiency
- Flexible payment process
- Hassle-free service
- Reduced delivery cost
- Smooth inventory management
Focus on Ambiance
Food is an experience and the right ambiance ensures that. Here are some tips to improve the atmosphere of your restaurant:
- Create a relaxing environment with warm and dimmed lighting.
- Focus on the layout (such as seating arrangement) of your restaurant.
- Incorporate art that compliments the goal of your business.
- Maintain cleanliness and hygiene.
Introduce Various Payment Options
Contactless payment options such as Apple Pay and Android Pay are getting popular and for good reason. Credit or debit cards have advanced encryption technologies and offer secure transactions. Online payments can lead to faster table turnover, allowing you to serve more customers. Restaurant owners can easily keep track of payments and make more informed business decisions.
Establish an Online Presence
Research shows that a significant percentage of customers check a restaurant’s website or social media page before dining. A strong online presence is essential to increase brand awareness and visibility. Begin by creating a Google My Business profile. Your website should feature the most basic information about your restaurant, such as:
- Location
- Digital menu
- Opening and closing hours
- Contact information
Creating a website or social media page is not enough. You should regularly update it and stay on top of user queries. Post restaurant tours and create hype for upcoming dishes. Social media sites such as Instagram and Facebook are excellent tools to engage with customers and build a dynamic online community.