8 Ways to Grow Your Restaurant Holiday Sales

Restaurant sales have never been constant for various reasons known as competition, the economy, seasonality, and countless other factors that add to the trend of dropping sales in a restaurant.

There are thousands of small and large restaurants that open every year. But sustaining in the business has been crucial and tricky. The way restaurants function has undergone a myriad change ever since the Covid-19 came into existence. People have become skeptical of indulging in outside food for the fear of contracting the virus. This makes the restaurant owners find new ways to keep their businesses running.

All restaurants have the potential to maximize their sales by incorporating some of the best practices used in the industry. Earlier, the fastest and easy way to invite customers was by putting up advertisements. While it still holds great potential to grab the public’s attention, it also requires great investment and may not guarantee good results.

In this blog, you will find ways to increase your sales by investing your time and money in some personalized,  practical, and modern ways.

1. Take-Away or Online Orders

Many people have become mindful of eating out, with the new norms of social distancing and precautions being in place. Giving the diners varied options like dine-in or takeaways will help you serve more people. Most of the people like to order and eat in the comfort of their home. This facility will help them place the orders, and in return, the restaurant’s sales would go up.

This option also gives the customers a free hand to pick and go, which will provide an edge over your competitors.  You will be more visible and known with this innovative approach, and people can place orders from their computers or smartphones.

Your guests look forward to a convenient dining experience and not a complicated one. The option to dine in or take away should be left to the customer’s discretion.

2. Social Media Presence

The digital arena has made things easier and seamless. The easier way to reach the masses is by promoting your business and advertising the new offers on your social media. This is free, and you may be able to make a good clientele.

Social media takes very little of your time. It offers you a better way to interact and connect with your customers at an individual level. You can achieve this by commenting or replying to your page’s posts, sharing pictures of your food along with your staff, and creating an exclusive offer to your followers. This will help you create a community for your business that can expand way beyond your physical location.

Social media is known to enhance the recognition of your business in a world where you are flooded by multiple choices of restaurants. This will, in turn, help you increase your restaurant sales as well.

3. Adopt a Loyalty Program

Introducing a loyalty program is a selling strategy that can encourage customers to continuously avail of your restaurant services by being associated with the program. By offering a card or a voucher, customers can earn either a discount on the current purchase or schedule a later booking. Allotting points for every purchase makes them more committed to your services.

It is a good practice to focus on your existing customers. This will increase your sales, and the loyalty program can help you achieve the desired sales. According to a study done by LevelUp, customers enrolled in the restaurant loyalty program spend around 19% more when redeeming their points, thus increasing their frequency of visiting your restaurant. 

A positive side effect of a loyalty program is assimilating increased customers at the venue, as those looking for avenues to eat out may bring along their coworkers, friends, and family to your restaurant.

4. Log in to Google My Business

These days making a digital presence and registering your restaurant on Google My Business is essential to keep you updated on the digital platform. Register your restaurant on Google My Business – now as it takes less than 10 minutes to update the information. Showing your presence on this platform adds credibility to your online presence. 

When people search on google for restaurants or eating joints nearby, your details such as working hours, location, website, and photos will be shown at the top of search results. Google my business is an excellent place where searchers can grab all the required details of your restaurant. 

This feature helps the diners narrow down their preferences and choose a restaurant to place an order or book a reservation immediately.

5. Choose Your Menu Wisely

The food preference of your diners keeps changing with time. It’s a good practice to keep a check on the choices and likings of your customers. Introducing a ‘Today’s Special’ or season-specific food can grab the attention of the diners.

Try innovating the menu by keeping a check on the dishes and the prices associated with the same. Also, consider checking your pricing model to ensure your competitors are at bay. Do away with the dishes which are not in demand. This gives you a way to introduce new varieties in your restaurant.

6. Your Customers are Your Promoters

This holds and can work wonders if you own a bunch of satisfied customers. You need to keep in mind the following things to see an increase in restaurant sales. A decent menu, grand-meals, presentation, and of course, good service! 

Word of mouth is the most powerful way to spread your business. A satisfied customer can bring along three more people, while a dissatisfied customer can ruin your whole business. Ensure you Consistently provide an excellent experience to all your clients; this will boost the restaurant sales from them and their connections.

7. Pass Out Menus or Flyers

Have a menu set for every season, then create three different versions such as an in-house menu, a hand-out menu, and put up an online menu for social media and your restaurant's website. The vacation menus should be simple, concise, and colorful, emphasizing the menu offerings.

8. Be Environment - Friendly

Many customers are concerned about the environment and food waste management. Hence take due note of the restaurant’s practices in maintaining the same. The best way to make the change is by introducing energy-efficient devices, digital menus, online ordering, recycling food waste, and cooking oil.

These best practices get you noticed, and people would love to associate with your restaurant for the good cause.

Bottom Line

The holiday season can either be a win-win situation or an impending loss for restaurants. It all depends on what type of dining you offer to your customers. Many well-known establishments mark a decline in business during a seasonal holiday. 

Many customers prefer to stay back home, prepare meals together with their family, and spend money on travel or gifts. This is the best time to cash into their needs and serve them the food they are looking for by offering a doorstep delivery and taking online orders. The eight rules mentioned above will definitely make a difference in your sales this holiday season.