When you are caught in the day-to-day routine of your restaurant, it can be hard to find time to work on getting new customers through the doors.  But tempting people in may be easier than you think.

Know your market.

Where your restaurant is will have an effect on the type of clientele you attract. In a city? You might be surrounded by offices full of people looking for somewhere to host their after-work get-togethers or client meetings.  Drop them a copy of your menu and a coupon offering a special, such as 20% off or a free drink with lunch. Join your local Chamber of Commerce.

If you’re in a tourist spot, make sure local hotels and motels have a flyer about your restaurant and a promotion to offer their clients. Treat the proprietors to a meal so they can rave about how great you are when tourists ask for a recommendation.

Get involved with local charities, who are bound to look for a venue for events from time to time. If you can do them a deal, you’ll likely pick up a goodwill benefit that will translate into new customers.

Offer entertainment

Do you ever have live music at your restaurant? Or a quiz night? A benefit of offering a spot for aspiring musicians or established bands to perform is they usually bring their own crowd.

Maximise your slow nights

Tackle quiet times head-on. If Tuesday is never a busy night, consider “Try it Tuesday”, where an unusual menu item is offered at a special price. This is especially good for ethnic restaurants where regulars get caught in a rut. If Wednesdays are slow for daytime traffic, consider a “buy one, get one free” lunch deal. Many customers will likely come back again and pay full price.

Use your regulars

You already have a sales force who will speak highly of you – your regulars. Put them to work by setting up a referral programme.  Write their names on cards and have your regulars give them to their friends. When the friend comes in, give them a discount and make a note to give the customer who made the referral a deal on their next meal. Take email details from all your customers and send them an update and offer each month. Set up a loyalty card system to hold on to your regulars.

Get online

A good website is a constant advertisement, luring in business. People who are looking for somewhere new to eat will often Google for recommendations – make sure your website is search-engine optimised so it’s one of the first to show up.  Set up a social media presence that directs people back to your website.

Need help building a buzz?  Contact GFM Team today or contact the Restaurant Association of New Zealand