This post is in response to an article posted on the Entrepreneur.com "Daily Dose" blog. In the
article the author addressed some scary figures for mom and pop restaurateurs. Since 2006 the average restaurant owner has seen their revenue drop between 7 - 8% and the sector is expected to have shed more than 5,000 restaurants. With numbers like those a single locale restaurant owner may feel there's no hope right? Wrong!
Instead of waiting for the economy to "get better", it's time to realize that what you're experiencing is the new normal and if you want your restaurant to make it to the new year, it's time to adapt. Here are 5 ways your restaurant can make the second half of 2010 yours:
1.
Drop The Ego!:
I hear the same thing over and over from restaurant owners. They brag about how they make the best this and that in town, how they use only the finest ingredients, while also touting that they're the cheapest. They see this as their marketing strategy! Fact is having the "best food" by itself is not a viable marketing strategy. McDonald's does not make the best hamburger but, you don't see them struggling to get a customer in the door do you? Look for new means and venues to get your message out there and don't be afraid of change. Sure some ego is required to be a business owner but, don't let your ego get in the way of your success!
2.
Don't Try and Please Everyone!:
Stop trying to be everything to everyone and zero in on your two to three top products and/or services and be the best in that category. Many times in order to bring revenue through the door restaurant owners make the mistake of trying to be everything, which in turn makes you a nothing. Since you don't have a specialty then nothing ever sticks with your customers. Find out what you're best at, enjoy doing and stick to it. Once you establish a name for yourself in your specialty then broaden your horizons.
3. Create A Catering Menu:
If you don't have a catering menu for your restaurant you are missing out on a very lucrative piece of business. Catering menu's allow your patrons to order your food in bulk for their corporate and social events. If you're thinking, "My customers already know that we can offer catering for them.", even though you don't have a catering menu or advertise it.... well then, here's the link to
craigslist where you can post your restaurant for sell in advance.
4. Create Multiple Mouthpieces!:
More than likely you weren't ridiculously loaded when you started your restaurant. So assuming the previous statement is true we're also going to assume you don't have the funds to flood the TV, radio, newspaper, etc. with ads for your restaurant. Now then how do we get the word out about your restaurant? This right here requires a bit of thinking and leg work on your part.
You need to find strategic alliances with other businesses who can either use your product/services or they have a product/service that adds value to what you already offer customers. Also consider referral programs or ways to incentivize customers to recommend you to their friends, family and colleagues. And the thing is you need to constantly be creating mouthpieces. You're competing with lots of other businesses for the attention of your customer, talk louder!
5. Connect With Your Customer!:
Sorry, just having a decent lasagna at a decent price isn't enough to keep your customers coming in the door. You need to take the time and really connect with your customers. Send them a thank you card with a discount off of their next visit. Customer mentions that they'll be celebrating a birthday in a week or two? Prepare a quick birthday card and let them know you're listening. Nowadays it takes more than just doing your job to retain customers, figure out a way to set yourself apart from the competition and really let customers know that their business is appreciated.
Hope this helps your restaurant or general business make a bigger splash in the second half of 2010. If you own a restaurant or catering company in the Youngstown - Warren, OH metro area don't forget to give UGottaEat.com a call at 330 743 8135 to see how we can put our resources to work for your establishment and bring in additional sales. You can read the
original article here.
All the Best,
Derek Caffe
CEO/ Founder
U Gotta Eat
35 S. Champion St., Suite 310B
Youngstown, OH 44503
www.UGottaEat.com
info@ugottaeat.com
P:330 743 8135
F:330 480 9607
