How to Make Your Restaurant Stand Out

So you’ve opened a restaurant and now want to drive customers to enjoy your delicious food. With so much competition, it can be difficult to get started in the restaurant industry, but once you have developed a loyal customer base, it’s easy for the word to spread about the positive experiences you offer. When you’re brainstorming ideas of how to make your restaurant stand out, look no further than this easy-to-follow guide equipped with basic marketing tactics, promotional products for growth, and daily specials strategies.

Develop a Marketing Strategy & Brand

To boost your customer traffic, start by developing a successful marketing strategy and tangible brand. You should consider working with a graphic designer to brainstorm a logo that symbolizes your restaurant and values. Once you’ve nailed down a logo, create a list of promotional products such as custom company mugs and logo pens.

Then you'll want to create a marketing strategy to help draw in customers. Many local restaurants choose a guerilla marketing method, using every advertising or marketing stream possible including in-person outreach with flyers, posters, and physical coupons. Include your logo and restaurant details on everything that you print. It’s important to establish a clear brand and develop recognition within your community.

Create a Unique Uniform for Your Team

Now that you have your logo, consider creating an overall aesthetic for your restaurant. This goes beyond the color of your walls and tableware. It also includes your team’s uniform and overall behavior. You can create a sleek and uniformed look for your restaurant by providing employees with clean and branded custom work uniform. Train every member of your team to be professional and courteous while working and representing your restaurant. Every employee must provide a positive experience for your customers, as just one negative review can have big repercussions.

Use Custom Hats as a Giveaway or For Purchase

If you have a solid logo and marketing plan, your local restaurant could gain a large following. You see this quite often with local, small businesses with a loyal clientele. In this case, you’ll have enthusiastic customers wanting to represent your brand with everything from custom company hats and T-shirts to coffee cups. You can also hold a giveaway as a grand prize. T-shirts are also a fun way to spread the word about your business, as people love to wear them around town. And if the shirts are branded with your logo, then others are likely to see them and want to know more also.

Build Your Social Media Following

Another great way to make your restaurant stand out is by using social media to drive customers in. Promote your specials and menu items on social media with images of your food and atmosphere photos from inside the restaurant on busy nights. You can also use social media as a way to attract customers with giveaways and share any news. The more engaging you make your social media, the more likely people are to associate with your brand. Ask your loyal customers to leave a review on your social media profiles and to tag your restaurants in any photos they post. A creative way to encourage tagging and mentions is to give something complimentary. For example, if someone checks into your restaurant on social media, you could give the person a complimentary fountain drink.

Offer Amazing Specials and Daily Events

If your food is amazing, and you have created a fun and pleasing space, chances are you won’t have a problem getting customers through the door just through word of mouth. Give potential customers an extra reason to visit with amazing specials and daily events like an early bird special or happy hour. Get creative with your daily specials and events, but try to be consistent. For example, if you are hosting a happy hour, do it consistently at the same time every day so that your customers become familiar with your schedule. You can then use social media to spread the word and share any deals with your followers.

Opening a restaurant is an exciting feat, and if you use these tips, you’ll have a loyal client base in no time!