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If your restaurant isn’t using emailmarketing, now is the ideal time to start. Restaurant emailmarketing is one of the most cost-effective ideas to stay top of mind, engage with your customers, and increase sales. . We recommend emailing your guests on a regular basis to establish consistency.
– Salad House CEO Joey Cioffi In 2025, restaurant chains will increase their usage of connected equipment to be more responsive, resilient, and ready to meet evolving customer expectations in a data-first, efficiency-focused world. At the same time, technology is poised to play an even bigger role in the coming year.
Photo: Shutterstock Waffle House customers no longer have to pay extra for eggs. “Egg-cellent news…as of June 2, the egg surcharge is officially off the menu,” Georgia-based Waffle House wrote on X. But supply has bounced back in recent months, bringing prices back down to earth. By Joe Guszkowski on Jul.
Direct Mail Marketing has been around just about as long as mailbox service to homes has been. I may own Our Town America, a national direct mail marketing franchise, specializing in reaching people who have just moved to the community, but I recognize there are other ways to market your business. Boy, do I realize that.
In this article, you will learn: How to improve your restaurants visibility so more people discover you Engagement strategies that turn first-time visitors into repeat customers Practical marketing tactics to fill more tables and increase takeout orders Here are eight strategies proven to attract more customers to your restaurant.
Thai District now has a branded app, and uses powerful marketing tools that help them build customer loyalty and increase sales without the burden of commissions. As a full-service restaurant in downtown Long Beach, they focused primarily on in-house dining, with little emphasis on takeout or delivery options.
Leverage Automated EmailMarketing ChowNows Automated EmailMarketing helps your restaurant bring customers back and increase orders with minimal effort. Emailmarketing is one of the most effective ways to stay top-of-mind with customers and remind them its time to order again from your restaurant.
Its smooth texture, superior binding, and ability to hold up under heat make it a back-of-house essential. With breakfast sandwiches topping morning menus and protein-rich items on the rise, this wrap delivers big flavor—and back-of-house ease. A mix of Philadelphia Cream Cheese and A.1. Click here to learn more.
In 2025, the US online food delivery market is expected to reach $424.9 Whether its takeout, delivery, or even in-house orders via QR codes, customers want a seamless and convenient way to order online. Online ordering has transformed the restaurant industry, turning what was once a convenience into an absolute necessity.
This guide will teach you everything you need to know about getting started with restaurant marketing. By the time you finish this article, youll know how to approach restaurant marketing the right way and not waste time doing guesswork, crossing your fingers, and then hoping you see new customers walking through the door.
For many operators, it’s a practical, hardware-based solution that helps maintain service standards while keeping the kitchen and front-of-house running smoothly. The impact doesn’t stop in the back-of-house. For his restaurant, embracing robotics has become part of staying competitive in a challenging labor market.
The real wins come from small, smart shifts; things like improving your online ordering system, highlighting your most profitable dishes, and giving existing customers more reasons to come back. Use photos, item placement, and smart labeling (for example, “guest favorite or “house specialty”) to steer attention toward high-margin menu items.
You love seeing them come in, and you say hello, but is that enough to keep them coming back for years down the line? You love seeing them come in, and you say hello, but is that enough to keep them coming back for years down the line? Marketing = tons of your money. Sales: 80% of sales typically come from 20% of clients.
Instead of just listing Cheeseburger, try something more enticing: Juicy half-pound Angus beef burger with melted cheddar, crisp lettuce, and house-made garlic aioli. Promote Online Ordering Through Social Media and EmailMarketing On social media, showcase your food in a way that makes people crave it.
The combination of lemon and lime juices highlights the house-developed syrups and purees and doesn’t overpower the margaritas. We also brought back two flavors—prickly pear and blood orange—because guests told us loud and clear that they missed them when they were taken off the list.” By Patricia Cobe on Jul.
With a critically shrunken talent pool, restaurants are racing to fill positions in every part of the business — front of house, back of house, and corporate teams. Across the United States, businesses are suffering from unprecedented staffing shortages in the aftermath of COVID.
Repeat business is what drives real growth, yet many restaurants struggle to keep takeout diners coming back. Thats why takeout success isnt just about fulfilling ordersits about giving customers a reason to come back. Takeout now plays a bigger role in restaurant operations than ever before. In a recent survey by ChowNow, 54.6%
Its powering voice assistants, helping people write emails faster, and even suggesting what to watch or where to eat next. Front-of-House AI Applications One of the best things about AI is that while it helps your staff, its also giving your customers a better experience. The short answer? More than you think.
If customer retention is a priority consider a digital loyalty program or automated marketing tools. Most of the restaurant technology tools operators use every day were first introduced years ago, but it wasnt until the 2020 Tech Boom, brought on by COVID-19, that widespread adoption became essential. Identify your biggest pain points.
We’re not alone — market research company Frost & Sullivan projects that online/mobile ordering will be a $200 billion dollar industry by 2025. While beneficial in many ways, housing mass amounts of data leaves restaurants wide open to potential breaches — and hackers aren’t always the culprit.
Understanding your target market is the foundation of making smart decisions for your menu, pricing, and overall guest experience. Without a well-defined target market, restaurants risk wasting resources on strategies that dont connect and menu offerings that dont selltrying to appeal to everyone, but standing out to no one.
“Restaurants can't simply rely on their traditional playbooks anymore," says Forrest Morgeson, Associate Professor of Marketing at Michigan State University and Director of Research Emeritus at the ACSI. "Smaller, At the same time, U.S. chain sales grew just 3.1 percent in 2024 — falling short of the 4.1
Proactive marketing can be an effective tool for restaurants that can remain in operation during the COVID-19 crisis. As one way to help restaurants navigate this uncertain time, our team has created a short e-Book with marketing tips for restaurants. Among the highlights: Pickup Incentives. Kids Eat Free. Bulk Is Best.
EmailMarketing: Keep People Informed. Along the same lines, you'll want to have a crystal clear and effortless way for customers to sign up for your email newsletter. Along the same lines, you'll want to have a crystal clear and effortless way for customers to sign up for your email newsletter.
These include: Food Costs Labor Costs Occupancy Costs Operating Costs Marketing and Promotions Expenses Every successful restaurant owner knows that tracking these isnt just a bookkeeping exercise; its how you spot opportunities to save money, collect data for better decision making, and run more efficiently. Are you overstaffed on slow days?
Keep plenty of water available, and consider offering a simple but effective cooldown option like a cold or frozen bandana placed on the back of the neck—a pro tip from ATech Incorporated. A summer-ready kitchen runs smoother, serves faster, and keeps both staff and guests coming back. Don’t wait until the first heat wave to act.
In this article, youll learn: How to optimize your restaurant website for more orders The best marketing strategies to increase online visibility How to use incentives and customer data to grow sales Lets dive into the top six ways you can increase order volume for your restaurants website. Make mobile-friendliness a top priority.
Having complete control of your brands story is how you stand out in a congested market. The answer to why your restaurant needs a website is simple: if you dont have a website, you are 100%, without a doubt, missing out on hundreds, if not thousands of customers. A well-designed website does more than just make a good first impression.
A well-integrated system can manage both in-house and online orders from one platform, reducing the risk of mistakes and ensuring a smooth flow during busy times. This helps create personalized marketing campaigns and promotions, encouraging repeat business and enhancing the customer experience.
You need ideas that will wow new customers and get the regulars excited to come back in. In-house promotions Leverage customers presence in-store by using flyers, table tents, A-frames, and mentions at the bottom of receipts. Email Send out a weekly email blast telling customers about your upcoming event.
Every day, youre juggling staff, food quality, inventory, customer service, purchasing, and moreall while trying to cultivate a dining experience that wows your customers enough to keep them coming back. Its tough, and cant be done passively. What is Restaurant Operations Management? Great restaurant operations dont happen by accident.
Digital platforms can help time-strapped operators address their historically difficult questions by minimizing operational complexity, giving their crews more time to assist guests, and providing staff with the freedom to accomplish more in both the front and back of the house. ” Mix more drinks or turn more tables?
From that data, restaurant owners can gather winning insights into how to create an optimized menu, develop a promotional strategy as well as to create back-of-house efficiencies during peak hours to be able to handle an increase in orders. This can help increase sales and also encourage repeat business.
If 2020 and 2021 were all about helping operators find new revenue streams to reach guests when they couldn’t come into restaurants, then 2022 was all about getting customers back in. Personalization with Data. To meet their expectations, operators can use detailed, data-driven guest profiles. Making More Informed Decisions.
By Heather Lalley on Jun. 13, 2025 Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Upscale soup dumpling chain Din Tai Fung has the industry’s highest average unit volumes. Photo: Shutterstock Welcome to Restaurant Business’ Week in Review for the week of June 9, 2025. Upscale soup dumpling chain Din Tai Fung has the industry’s highest average unit volumes. Sign up here.
11, 2025 Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Huddle House will add drive-thrus as it moves into more urban and suburban markets. | Perkins, the 68-year-old chain best known for its bakery case, recently began serving boba and frozen margaritas, while its younger sibling Huddle House, 61, is rolling out smash burgers.
Since the COVID-19 crisis began, the Association has coordinated more than 400,000 emails to Congress from restaurants, employees, consumers and industry supporters—all speaking out about the need for swift and strong federal relief and recovery programs. "Cox Media has been very supportive to us during this difficult time.
Current market challenges mean it’s never been harder to operate a coffee business – and this includes marketing and branding. High and volatile green coffee prices , along with increasing operational costs, are creating a more competitive market. Print and offline marketing remain crucial tools.
That led to selling bagels at farmers markets. By Lisa Jennings on Jun. 27, 2025 Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Jeff's Bagel Run has 15 units open, expecting to reach 30 by the end of the year. Photo courtesy of Jeff's Bagel Run. Jeff Perera jokes that his bagel chain is the result of a love story. “I We went full bagel,” he said.
Ghost kitchens emerged in the back half of the 2010s as delivery apps began to take hold of the dining market. No front of house staff, smaller spaces, and no need for prime real estate that all contribute to the lower costs. Table of Contents. What is a ghost kitchen? Benefits of a ghost kitchen model. What is a ghost kitchen?
Some have white-labeled those same delivery services for integration within their organizations, and others have built out programs for pick up or delivery entirely in house. Ever since the pandemic began, the restaurant industry has been in a sustained state of pivot. Many have started offering their menus on third-party delivery websites.
Marketing campaigns run, money is spent, and yet its unclear whether those efforts are actually driving more orders or just draining the budget. Restaurants can adjust staffing levels based on real demand, identify their most profitable menu items, and put marketing dollars behind what actually drives revenue.
Fortunately, though, cutting costs doesnt have to mean cutting corners, sacrificing the qualities of your restaurant that keep customers coming back again and again. Running a restaurant is equal parts passion and precisionespecially when it comes to running the numbers.
How do you market food delivery and takeout? Will you hire in-house drivers, use third party drivers, or cross train your front-of-house (FOH) staff to double as drivers ? Many have POS integrations and can automate tickets for the back-of-house (BOH) team. Pay attention to how weather affects demand.
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