Running a restaurant is a tough business. It’s easy to lose money, like when your chicken arrives late and you lose the customer or you have to pay for a broken window. Still, making your restaurant more money doesn’t have to be difficult. Here are some tips.
Improve the Quality of Your Food
Few things increase restaurant sales than a dramatic improvement in food quality. If your food is merely “OK”, making it great will have customers coming back again and again. They’ll also tell their friends, who will come too.
There are ways to improve your food quality:
First, start with better ingredients. Spend a little more money on the best meat, cheese, and produce you can find. In fact, make sure food products are stored correctly with nitrogen gas to keep things fresh.
Then, you should also hire a great chef. A talented cook can make even the simplest dish taste amazing. If you can’t afford a full-time chef, look for someone who can come in and consult on menu development and train your staff.
Hire a Social Media Influencer
Social media influencers can help you reach a whole new audience. And if you play your cards right, they’ll do it for free.
First, identify potential influencers in your area. They should have a significant social media following and be relevant to your industry. For example, if you own a pizza restaurant, look for an influencer who loves pizza and has a lot of Instagram followers.
Then, reach out to the influencer and offer them a free meal in exchange for a post about your restaurant.
Make sure the influencer is clear on what you expect – you don’t want them to post a negative review.
Add Entertainment
Live music, trivia nights, and other forms of entertainment can attract a whole new crowd to your restaurant. And once they’re there, they’re likely to order more food and drinks.
Of course, you’ll need to make sure the entertainment is high quality and appropriate for your brand.
For example, customers of a Mexican restaurant likely wouldn’t want a death metal band playing in the corner.
Create a Unique Ambiance
Your restaurant’s atmosphere can be just as important as the food you serve. People want to eat in a place that’s comfortable and inviting.
There are a few ways to create a unique ambiance:
First, pay attention to your lighting. Soft, warm lighting is more inviting than bright fluorescent lights. Second, use your décor to create a certain mood. Rustic restaurants, for example, often use exposed brick and reclaimed wood.
Finally, make sure your staff is friendly and attentive. Nothing ruins a good meal like a surly waiter.
Making your restaurant more money doesn’t have to be difficult. Just focus on improving the quality of your food, hiring an influencer, adding entertainment, and creating a unique ambiance. With a little effort, you’ll see a big difference in your bottom line.