| When consumers plan to dine out, they now have | | | | musical performers, sponsoring sporting and |
| a wide range of restaurants to choose from. With | | | | charity events...etc. You can also have a really |
| so many restaurants available, a restaurant has to | | | | fancy and delicious dessert that is unique to any |
| come up with ways to stay competitive. Many | | | | other restaurant. It is important to come up with |
| restaurant owners want to know how to improve | | | | new and exciting marketing strategies. Without |
| their business. Fortunately, there are a number of | | | | constant marketing, people will forget about your |
| things a restaurant owner can do to make their | | | | restaurant and visit restaurants they see |
| restaurant more attractive to customers. | | | | advertised. Make use of fliers, local newspapers, |
| 1. During these difficult economic times, many | | | | websites, radio, and sponsoring events |
| people are looking for ways to cut down on | | | | 5. Cleanliness is essential to a successful |
| costs. Take time to reevaluate your menu prices. | | | | restaurant. Take a walk through the restaurant |
| Are your customers normally big spenders? Or do | | | | and look at the floors, walls, fixtures, decorations, |
| you have customers that enjoy a reasonably | | | | lamps, and the bathroom. Do you need a paint |
| priced meal? If the latter frequents your | | | | touch up? Should you give the restaurant a total |
| restaurant, make sure your prices are sensible | | | | scrub down? Remember, restrooms have to be |
| and fit with the type of restaurant. Consider | | | | spotless with no unpleasant odours. What does |
| implementing daily specials or a special menu with | | | | the exterior of the restaurant look like? The |
| a number of meals at a discounted price. | | | | exterior is the first thing a customer will notice. Is |
| 2. The meals you serve should be high quality and | | | | it bland, unattractive, or messy looking? Perhaps |
| delicious. Your food should be fresh and prepared | | | | you should fix up the outside to make it eye |
| properly. The dish should be pleasing to the eye. It | | | | catching and attractive. Add bright colors, and |
| should also fit with the theme of the restaurant. | | | | unique decorations. Your parking lot should be |
| Be mindful about providing some healthy dishes. It | | | | easy to access. |
| is important to keep up on consumer lifestyle | | | | 6. It may be time to do a staff evaluation and |
| habits. | | | | retraining session. Your staff should be dressed |
| 3. Your restaurant should be warm and inviting. | | | | professionally, neat in appearance, and clean. They |
| The decor should be pleasing to the eye. Make | | | | should also be courteous, gracious, and pay special |
| sure you use proper color schemes, comfortable | | | | attention to their customers. As well, they should |
| seating, and a pleasant view. Consider adding | | | | be welcoming, hardworking, dedicated, and |
| something unique to the restaurant that makes it | | | | respectful. Customers should feel welcome and |
| stands out from the other restaurants. Examples | | | | that their patronage is appreciated. |
| could be a water fountain, replicas of historical | | | | Regular assessment of your restaurant will allow |
| paintings...etc. | | | | you to make the essential enhancements, |
| 4. Arrange special promotions at the restaurant. | | | | improvements, and additions that will ensure a |
| This can include a special brunch on Sunday, a | | | | constant and steady loyal customer base. |
| buffet night, a theme night such as the 1950's, | | | | |