Getting more customers in your restaurant can mean many things. While most restaurateurs would consider this to be attracting more diners, it also means creating space to fit in more customers during busy periods.
Having worked with the restaurant industry for many years we know how restaurants work. We can help with ensuring your business appeals to a wider audience and makes the best use of space to ensure it looks great, fits the ideal amount of diners and remains functional.
Browse our premium restaurant furniture and read below to discover tips on how to get more customers in your restaurant.
How to get more customers:
Redecorate
Redecorating is one of the best ways to attract customers to your restaurant. Even if you have a loyal clientele, if your restaurant has been around for a while, tired furnishings will have customers going elsewhere. A redesign, or even just some new restaurant furniture can completely transform your space and have old customers return once again.
When paired with new menu items this can help create a real hype around your restaurant. Use this as an opportunity to express yourself and even better represent the local community now you have operated there for some time.
Warner Contract Furniture specialise in restaurant furniture for all types of businesses, from cosy bistros to premium bars. Get in touch with our friendly team to discuss new furnishings for your restaurant on any budget.
Marketing
Marketing your restaurant is a great way to attract customers. You should implement a variety of marketing strategies to best reach those in your local area, and further afield, to get them to come and sample your offerings.
- Social media – Having accounts on a variety of social media channels is key to attracting customers. Make sure to post frequently about your best dishes and the events you currently have planned. You should engage in your local community through social media. This will help you create genuine connections, ensure repeat customers and create a positive impact on your area.
- Adverts – You can look to take out adverts in the local newspaper, on social media or on websites you think your clientele are likely to visit. This can help to create an immediate buzz around your business.
- Website – Your own website can help to attract customers to your restaurant. You should show off the best parts of your dining area and highlight your most popular dishes. Your website should clearly tell your audience where they can find you and promote positive reviews.
Offer takeaway
Offering takeaway food is one of the best ways to attract customers. There are many diners who would rather eat at home than go out to eat. Tapping into this new market will allow you to increase your restaurant customers with less demand on your serving staff.
Most customers are used to the option of being able to take their food away, so it’s essential to be able to offer this service. It also allows you to continue to invite customers to dine in-person, with fewer limitations on how much your takeaway service can grow.
Other hints and tips
An open sign
A simple concept but something that can have a detrimental impact if it gets missed. An open sign is a simple way that passers-by can tell you’re currently serving and can help you stand out in busy areas.
Chairs and tables outside
Similar to an open sign, having tables and chairs outside, even in the colder weather, sends a subliminal message to passers-by that your restaurant is open for business. On a busy high street it’s not always clear what service each building serves, so making it as obvious as possible is the easiest way to increase footfall.
Events and private functions
Have a rarely used section or room in your restaurant? You can create a partition and offer it out to private functions. This can help you reach an entirely new audience and boost customers in your restaurant quickly.
Casual daytime dining
Another way to get more customers in your restaurant is to have a different offering during the day. This may mean more casual lunchtime deals with cheaper prices or offering tea and coffee with access to wifi to create a ‘work’ atmosphere.
Have a greeter
During busy periods you may want a member of staff encouraging passers-by into your restaurant. They must be friendly and outgoing to not put people off and be able to promote your business potentially even upselling particular items.
Increasing your capacity
Now that you’ve got more customers to visit your restaurant, you’ll want to increase your capacity for diners to maximise your profitability. By adding just two extra 4-seater tables with chairs, a venue can drastically increase profits. This is increased further during the festive period where on average restaurants can make an extra £5500 a week.
A slight change of your restaurant layout can immediately create more space for seating, and incorporating fitted seating can increase your seating amount in the long term. There are some key considerations when changing restaurant and cafe layout, but generally adding in a variety of seating and table options can increase the amount of diners you can serve. Options include bar stools and poseur tables as well as benches to make use of different sections of your restaurant and accommodate different types of customer.
Opening any outdoor area to diners can get more customers for your restaurant and increase your capacity. Even a small patio area can be utilised to seat extra customers and with the use of heaters, this space’s benefits can extend well into winter.
Restaurant furniture and more with Warner Contract Furniture
We specialise in a wide range of restaurant furniture, perfect for a variety of businesses in the hospitality industry. From cosy cafes to upmarket restaurants we have furniture in a variety of styles to suit any budget, all with premium commercial quality. A restaurant redesign may be just what you need to attract customers to your business.
Explore our restaurant, pub and cafe furniture, or contact our friendly team to discuss your businesses individual requirements and what you need to take your restaurant to the next level.