Restaurant Marketing Ideas That Bring In Drive-By Customers
Every day, hundreds or thousands of people drive or walk past your restaurant. Some of them are hungry right now. Others are deciding where to go this weekend. Many of them have never really noticed you.
The ideas below focus on turning that passing traffic into guests, then making sure they come back.
Get noticed from the street
1. Look at your restaurant like a stranger would
Drive and walk past from each direction at different times of day. Can you tell what kind of food you serve? Whether you’re open? Where to park? Fix what isn’t clear.
2. Make your sign say what you serve
A name alone doesn’t help someone who has never heard of you. “Tacos,” “BBQ” or “Breakfast all day” on or under your sign tells drivers why to stop.
3. Light the sign and the entrance
Dinner traffic drives by after dark. A lit sign and a bright entrance say you’re open.
4. Add height and color
In a strip of restaurants and shops, a flat sign blends in. Flags, banners or a balloon display at the entrance help drivers notice you, especially for openings, new menus and special events. Check your city’s sign rules and your lease first. (See Curb Appeal That Gets Noticed and Stays Within Your City’s Sign Rules.)
5. Use a sidewalk sign
A chalkboard or sandwich board with the day’s special, happy hour or a friendly message catches people on foot. Change it daily.
6. Show off the patio
If you have outdoor seating, keep it clean, lit and full of life. A busy patio is one of the best signs a restaurant can have.
Get found online
7. Keep your Google Business Profile current
Hours, holiday hours, menu, photos, phone number and links to order or reserve. Many people decide where to eat from the map on their phone.
8. Post real photos
Clear photos of your most popular dishes, the dining room and the patio. Update them when the menu changes.
9. Respond to reviews
Thank people for good reviews, and respond calmly and helpfully to bad ones. Future guests read your responses.
10. Make ordering easy
Online ordering, pickup and delivery options reach people who won’t sit down today but will order.
Give people a reason to come in now
11. Run time-limited specials
Seasonal dishes, weekday lunch specials and happy hour give regulars and newcomers a reason to come in this week.
12. Host events
Trivia night, live music, tastings and holiday menus fill slow nights and give people something to share.
13. Celebrate openings and milestones
A grand opening, anniversary or new menu launch is a reason to make noise, with extra signs out front and an offer for first-time guests.
Build regulars
14. Start a simple loyalty program
A punch card or phone-number rewards program gives guests a reason to return.
15. Collect emails and texts
Offer something small for signing up, then send occasional updates on specials and events.
16. Remember regulars
Train staff to recognize and welcome regulars. It costs nothing and builds loyalty.
Get involved locally
17. Partner with nearby businesses
Offices, gyms, hotels and apartment communities can share your menu and offers with their people.
18. Support local causes
Host fundraiser nights for schools and teams. They bring their supporters to you.
Measure what works
Ask new guests how they heard about you, use separate codes for each offer, and watch which promotions bring in new faces. Keep the ideas that work.
The bottom line
Restaurants live on the people nearby. Make it clear from the street what you serve and that you’re open, keep your online details current, give people reasons to come in now, and make it easy for them to come back.
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