Without new business, your restaurant will not be able to grow. You need a steady stream of new customers to replace the ones you lose as a result of customer relocation, job change, or change in dining habits. Here are six strategies to bring more customers to your doorstep. 1. Market your restaurant in hotel rooms
Business travelers and vacationers may not be familiar enough with your city to know where to find great food. You can help them out by simply doing some marketing in your hotel room. Talk to hotels within your three-mile radius and ask if you can post menus and signs in your rooms and in the lobby area. Some hotels have a list of “Nearby Attractions” that they provide to their guests. You can request to be added to the list. When your guests are hungry and start trying to figure out where to eat, you’ll be one of the first restaurants that come to mind. 2. Form a strategic alliance with event venues
After a concert or sporting event, people are hungry and want to eat. Remember that people sometimes travel long distances to attend these events, so they don’t want to travel home on an empty stomach. A venue in the United States displayed an advertisement for a nearby restaurant on all venue monitors between concert events. After the concert ended, that restaurant was packed with concert goers. You can do your part by promoting upcoming events from that venue at your restaurant. 3. Participate in contests
One of the best ways to get media attention and therefore attract new business is by winning a contest. For example, enter your chef in a cooking contest. Read restaurant postings and surf the internet for information on contests you can enter. If all else fails, create your own contest and invite local restaurants to participate. So even if you lose, you will still generate great publicity and will get new customers on your doorstep. 4. Sell gift certificates
Your loyal customers may want their friends and family to give you a try. Provide them with your gift certificates so they can purchase them as gifts for their loved ones. A gift certificate allows the recipient to try your restaurant without any risk, as they usually do not have to pay anything for the experience. In addition, each gift certificate serves as a reference for your establishment. Make sure your gift certificates come in flexible amounts so shoppers have the freedom to decide how much to spend. 5. Hand out samples in crowded places
Send your food on the road if you really want to attract new customers. Go to places that have a lot of human traffic, such as shopping malls, supermarkets, parks, etc., and offer samples of some of your tastiest foods to everyone who passes by. When they stop for a sample, hand out a menu, business card, or coupon so they know exactly where they can go to sample more of their delicious food. 6. Offer special “Happy Hour” offers
At the end of a hard day, many workers want to relax and unwind before heading home, so invite them to your restaurant for some happy hour specials. Low-priced drink specials and snack buffets are good ideas. You can also have frequent dinner cards for happy customers, so that after so many drinks they receive a free drink or a discount on their food if they decide to stay for dinner. Inform all local businesses about your offer.
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