1. Sell Gift Cards!
Why?
· Gift Cards bring in new customers, and pre-establish the return of existing customers.
· In 2006, Best Buy transferred $43 million from liabilities to income due to unclaimed gift cards.
· Consumer reports estimates that 19% of gift cards are lost or expire without use every year.
2. Add Something Unique
Offering items that customers cannot make at home not only entices them to visit your restaurant, but also keeps them coming back. The cost of adding items like smoothie’s, milkshakes, or specialty desserts to your menu are very low, and can yield high results.
3. Remove Something Obsolete
Often times restaurant carry inventory to produce menu items that never sell. These items weigh down your variety offered to customers, and contribute to monthly food loss. You can keep an eye on these items by checking your menu items report monthly. Removing this item and replacing it with an item as mentioned above is a great way to maintain your current spending, while enticing customers.
4. Up Sell
Phrases like “try our new (Unique Item Name) “, “Have you tried this wine with the (entree)?” are an excellent way to add on items to any order. Teaching servers to mention that their “favorite thing to order is (entree) with (side dish), and I always get the (Dessert), it’s the best on the menu!” can increase sales day after day.
5. Advertise Locally
Great low cost advertisement is available locally, and can yield great results. Contacting local schools and offering special pricing, as well as participating in fund raising events that sell discount cards can be a great way to increase your customer base, or the popularity of specific menu items.
6. Use your receipts to bring customers back
Printing messages on your receipts can be a great way to extend appreciation to your customers and invite them back. Consider printing on their receipt, a coupon for a free or half price item upon their next visit. Be sure to let them know of this promotion when handing them their receipt.
7. Use A Business Card Bowl
A great way to increase your lunch deliveries/takeout is to use a business card bowl. When a customer drops their card in the bowl, they are not only trying to win a free lunch, they are volunteering to receive a menu at their business, and have their email address added to your “Lunch Specials” email list. Emailing customers weekly or bi weekly via Constant Contact is a sure way to keep them coming back!