How To Level Up Your New Restaurant

You’re not the only restaurant in town. You also might know that the majority of eating establishments go out of business within just a few years. If you want yours to be one of the winners or at least have a fighting chance of making it, then you need to know how to level up your new restaurant above the fray.

Name Tags

Not every restaurant has its team wear nametags, but it offers dual benefits. Customers are more likely to tip servers with nametags, and that fuels better service and customer experiences. Also, if they have complaints, knowing the names of those who disappointed them helps you find problem employees and correct them or otherwise deal with them.

Go Digital

Some of your customers might never eat in your dining room. Make it possible to order take-out in advance. That way your customers can eat at their own convenience. Also, register with area delivery services for those looking to eat at home.

Bread Delivery

Does your restaurant serve bread with most meals? If so, it shouldn’t just be a side item or something diners can munch on while waiting for their entrees. If you arrange for fresh bread delivery, your patrons will notice quickly. Word will spread around town that your establishment has better tasting bread than your competitors, and you’ll likely see more tables with people around them more often. You won’t even have to make or bake that bread yourself.

Reward Your Regulars

Any kind of rewards or loyalty program might turn casual diners into regulars. Many people who eat out crave something familiar and comfortable. Many people subconsciously lean toward whoever makes the food they are used to. Unless you’re right off an interstate or highway, it’s likely that 80% of your business will come from 20% of your foot traffic, because regulars truly are that routine.

Wi-Fi

Consumers expect Wi-Fi in every restaurant these days, whether they use it or not. Be sure you have it, make sure it’s fast, and don’t make it a burden to get online. Trying to force an app down anyone’s throat isn’t going to make you look good.

In addition to trying to level up your new restaurant with these ideas, make sure you get out of your own establishment once a week to go try out those around you. Take note of who is popular and who isn’t. Learn from those succeeding, but also avoid the mistakes of those who aren’t.