4 Tips That Will Stop Restaurants From Going Broke

1. Don’t Always Use The Cheapest Media… do everything!! Diversity leads to stability! Many restaurant owners have decided to only market online and through social media. Why? Because it’s cheap! Well, if the media’s cheap, what type of guest will come through your doors from the internet? Hmmmmmm.

2.  Coupon Clippers Are Coupon Clippers… Putting “Buy One Get One Free” on a flyer as a method to obtain new guests usually ends up again with the wrong type of guest. Coupon clippers ARE coupon clippers and not all guests are created equal. You need to focus on obtaining LOYAL guests. Here’s a better idea… distribute “bounce back” coupons to loyal, existing guests. Give them a “No Peeking” envelope with 5-6 gifts available to win (the catch is they MUST open it in front of your server on their NEXT visit). Also, give them a sense of urgency (3-4 weeks) to redeem your prizes.

3. Not Doing Enough Special Events Marketing… increase your marketing events increases your sales and increases your cash flow! Example.. don’t just celebrate Valentine’s Day, celebrate the whole month of February, or at least the whole week! Call it “Lover’s Week/Month” with special dessert selections for couples. Use cute names for the desserts like Cottage Built for 2, Hide-Away Weekend, etc… get the idea? Have fun with it and make the guests feel special!

4. Create a WOW experience that makes the guest want to come back again and again! Example: Last weekend I went out to one of my favorite restaurants in Royal Oak, called “Town Tavern”. I asked the server if we could get the side dishes that came with the Mahi Mahi to my order of Salmon, and his answer.. “Absolutely!”. I then asked for his selection of wine. His response was not the most expensive (like most servers do), but he came out with a medium priced New Zealand wine.. Unbelievable! Great Food, Great Restaurant, Great Service… a WOW experience! All customers that are spending money, whether on pizza, family style or high end, are looking for the WOW… give it to them!!! I guarantee they will come back again and again!