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How To Market Your Restuarant - my eHow article

How to Market Your Restaurant
By theempire, eHow Member
Rate: Five Stars (1 Ratings)

It might seem like a complex art to get potential customers to eat at your restaurant instead of the other guys, right? It doesn't have to be. It is as easy as giving people a reason to come in and letting your great food and customer service take care of the rest. Here we will outline some basic actions to take that have worked for me and many other successful restaurants in the world.

Difficulty: Moderate

Step 1

Plan. Before you go head-on into your new marketing campaign make sure that your restaurant is performing at the best level it can. If you are inviting new customers into your restaurant and they have a bad experience they will never come back. Game over.

Take a look at your staff - Do they have the knowledge and skills to handle an influx of new guests? Is the expectation set for delivering customer service? If not, it's time to be a teacher before marketing guru.

Take a look at your facility - Is it clean? What are the bathrooms like? What does your kitchen equipment look like? If these aren't up to par, it's time to be a janitor before marketing guru.

Take a look at your menu - Do people have a genuine reason to eat there? Is there something that sets it apart from the other restaurants in your area? Is the food being prepared as efficiently as it can be? If not, it's time to be chef before marketing guru.

I think you get the picture. Build the foundation before the house.

Step 2

Hit the streets. If you are fortunate enough to be located in an urban area where you can reach a lot people with a short car ride or walk, get out and be one with the people! Find something on your menu that is small, travels well, and doesn't cost much. Take that menu item, menus, and business cards and get out and introduce yourself (and your restaurant) to the people. Talk about your restaurant and what it has to offer, and most importantly have fun with people and make it memorable! People like to be able to put a face to the place, and will enjoy seeing you in your restaurant. If you are a lunch based restaurant get out mid-morning, and if you are a dinner place head out before people get off of work. Target office buildings where there is a large density of people at any given time. Free food will usually trump a "no soliciting" sign. On your way out grab a business card so you can track where you have been.

Step 3

Donate. Set up fundraiser nights with local schools and organizations. They will usually do all the leg-work for you and will draw in local people who have never been into your restaurant before. These donations are usually from 10-20% of sales for a set amount of time, or on transactions where they bring the school/organizations flyer in. Be equal-opportunity when in comes to schools and avoid charities and organizations that may drive away another part of your customer base. This is also a great opportunity improve your image in the community.

Step 4

Always Work. When you are the owner/manager of a restaurant, you are never totally off of the clock. Waiting in line a the grocery store/bank/tire shop is a great place to drum up new customers. Don't be pushy and let the conversation gravitate towards your line of work. Invite people you meet in for a free meal. That is something they will always remember (and tell other people about).

Comments 

eletendre said on 3/1/2009-

Great article for any business owner. Step touches on an extremely important point: "Make it memorable!" To compete in today's world the business owner has to make it an experience for the customer. 5 Stars.

waiting4rain said on 2/25/2009-

Gosh, you had me getting a little nostalgic for my restaurant until you got to "When you are the owner/manager of a restaurant, you are never totally off of the clock." That is so true and that's why I am so glad I no longer own a restaurant. 5*