| Small restaurants have a tremendous opportunity | | | | 3. Work with selected real-estate agents to co-op |
| to showcase the unique benefits of their eating | | | | a FREE dinner package for two, with a monetary |
| establishments, just like their larger counterparts. | | | | cap on it, as part of their gift to clients who just |
| Your prior research reveals the type of food | | | | purchased a new home. If an initial co-op is not |
| your restaurant specializes in and if it's marketable | | | | possible, then offer them a one-time |
| in your chosen demographic. | | | | complimentary gift basket for their new |
| Is your cuisine ethnic, and can you possibly | | | | homeowners. You can also check with local car |
| incorporate a history lesson or special event | | | | dealerships to see if they would be interested in |
| educating your patrons on this cultural derivation | | | | buying a gift basket from you for their new car |
| and influence? Is there a cultural center in your | | | | owners. Your dinner package can include a |
| city or town that you can invite local talent to | | | | certificate inscribed with the new owners names, |
| come into your restaurant on designated days | | | | packaged in a nice gift container with a bottle of |
| and perform for your customers? If so, this | | | | champagne and two champagne flutes, assorted |
| talent could include artists, singers or perhaps an | | | | chocolates, non-perishable cheeses with crackers |
| instrumentalist proficient in this cultural arena. | | | | and possibly grapes or strawberries. Include a |
| Here are three long-term ideas that could possibly | | | | card that states this gift basket is compliments of |
| attract a different customer to your existing | | | | your restaurant, signed by the owner and/or |
| client base that will continue to take your small | | | | manager. Utilize this same concept within your |
| restaurant to a more profitable level: | | | | restaurant for purchase, at a promotional price. |
| 1. Try to get your restaurant included in any | | | | Although these ideas will probably be a little more |
| tourist brochures and listed in area hotel | | | | costly and time consuming on your part, think |
| directories, visitor's bureaus, etc. | | | | about that "return" on your investment. Give a |
| 2. Host cooking classes where potential students | | | | little, gain a lot. Before you know it, you will see |
| will pay a special price to learn about preparing a | | | | how much your small restaurant is penetrating |
| meal from the appetizer and entrée, to | | | | the market share once dominated by the big |
| the desert. You can award them with a certificate | | | | food franchises. |
| upon completion of their cooking lesson. | | | | |