The restaurant business is perhaps one of the riskiest businesses to invest in all the business markets. Business owners who decide to open a restaurant choose to do so because they have a passion, if not because they are a glutton for punishment. While owning and operating a restaurant is a high risk for those who have a passion for it, if successful, can have a fulfilling business for years to come. Here are seven ways to make your restaurant a success.
Increase Customers
The most obvious thing to do is to increase customers to generate more sales. To do this, you have to use every marketing strategy available. Most important is the use of social media and technology. Promote offers and let people have a look inside the restaurant through social media. Create brand awareness and increase the use of engaging and quality content. Provide people with discount coupons and offer take-out and delivery options. If your restaurant has a unique dish or something that makes you stand out from other restaurants, make sure to feature these highlights on your website and social media prominently.
Upsell
Encourage people to spend more by asking them about the options available. You can recommend appetizers or specialty drinks during the initial ordering stage while they wait for the main course. You can also offer dessert as you drop off the ticket for payment, advising you can easily add to the ticket. Recommend a hot seller while you’re at it and always let customers know your favorites when pushing additions. The point is to try to get people to order more by asking. If the restaurant is full, each table ordering something more expensive or something extra can take the sales to a whole new level. Train the staff to persuade through the tone and knowledge while keeping it soft to alienate the customer.
Provide an Appealing Atmosphere
Restaurants must provide an aesthetically beautiful environment and maintain hygienic standards. The tables should be cleaned as soon as the customers leave. Bills should be collected promptly to encourage table turnover. It is also important that the staff is well dressed and clean, keep extra uniforms and aprons on hand for unexpected wardrobe issues such as spills or damage.
Properly Train Your Employees
Restaurant employees reflect everything about the restaurant itself. Restaurant staff should be well dressed as well as well-mannered and professional. Make sure whatever the customer says, the staff behaves properly. Your staff is dealing with customers in real-time and face to face, so if one bad thing happens, word of mouth can spread like wildfire. This could be a potentially devastating problem with smartphone innovations having the ability to film or give the users the instant capability to go online and spread the word.
Create Repeat Business
The biggest key to success for every business is retaining the customers it has. Restaurants need to make a good impression on customers to keep them coming back. Make sure the order delivered is accurate and make the customers feel at home. To attract customers who are dining in, provide them with exclusive discount coupons or free delivery on the first order. Always greet every customer with a warm, friendly smile and provide timely delivery. Retaining customers can increase sales by 25-125%, according to a Harvard study.
Utilize Social Media
Advertising on social media can take your sales to higher places with little to no cost. Utilize social media to highlight the restaurants’ menu and atmosphere. Have a review button and encourage customers to leave a review to let people know what others say. These reviews can help influence others to try your restaurant when they are looking for dining options in your area.
Stay on Top of Technology
Technology is important to every business; restaurants are included. Studies suggest that people feel more satisfied and comfortable if they order through the app or online because apps and online purchasing increase the order’s convenience and accuracy.
About Complete Controller® – America’s Bookkeeping Experts Complete Controller is the Nation’s Leader in virtual bookkeeping, providing service to businesses and households alike. Utilizing Complete Controller’s technology, clients gain access to a cloud-hosted desktop where their entire team and tax accountant may access the QuickBooks™️ file, critical financial documents, and back-office tools in an efficient and secure environment. Complete Controller’s team of certified US-based accounting professionals provide bookkeeping, record storage, performance reporting, and controller services including training, cash-flow management, budgeting and forecasting, process and controls advisement, and bill-pay. With flat-rate service plans, Complete Controller is the most cost-effective expert accounting solution for business, family-office, trusts, and households of any size or complexity.
