Running a restaurant is a huge responsibility. While most restaurateurs go into the business due to a passion for people and food, they also need to stay profitable. No restaurant wants to skimp on ingredients or furnishings, so increasing your restaurant sales is the best way to offer the service you want while turning a profit.
In this guide, we will explore how to increase restaurant sales and ensure your business stands the test of time. Continue reading to find out what you can do to help your restaurant succeed.
Ways to increase your restaurant sales
There are a number of ways you can increase restaurant sales, with a combination of the below strategies likely benefitting different types of businesses. Read on to discover how to reach new customers, upsell to existing customers and ensure diners return time after time.
Marketing and advertising
Marketing and advertising is a great way for your restaurant to increase sales. When people see your advertisements, they form a first impression of your business before they actually purchase or try your products.
Advertising has a number of benefits for restaurants that could increase sales, including:
- Providing customers with basic information such as your contact details and website address
- Informing potential customers about your food and services
- Telling customers about changes to your service, such as new menu launches or any special offers
- Prompting specific actions
- Developing a particular market niche
Depending on the size and location of your restaurant, there are a number of marketing strategies that can be implemented to reach a wider audience. This includes:
Social media – Social media is an easy way to stay in touch with your customers. Posting daily specials will entice locals to visit on a whim and videos of your team will create a sense of community between your restaurant and followers. You may even want to get featured on a local food-influencers page to increase your engagement. Social media is a must for restaurants looking to increase sales in today’s digital world.
Local ads – Because restaurants are a true ‘local’ business, with customers required to be within a certain distance from the restaurant, local ads can be very beneficial. This includes billboards, flyering, and ads in local newspapers. Engaging with your community can create genuine connections that help your business stand the test of time.
Website – Creating a website and having a Google business profile will help you generate more restaurant sales. Many potential customers will give your website a visit to read a menu, and get a ‘feel’ for your business before they visit. You can use your website to be more visible to those searching for food in the local area, and promote positive reviews you’ve had from satisfied diners.
Increase seating
Increasing the seating capacity of a restaurant is a great way to increase sales. By adding a couple of extra 4-seater tables and chairs, a venue could serve many more customers, especially during the busy Christmas period. On average, this could make an extra £5500 a week in takings.
Furthermore, 44% of people plan to eat out at least once per week during the festive season in a bid to increase social activity and spend more time with friends and family. Using the average spend and usual table turnover numbers, adding two tables of four could increase your income by £5,868 per week.
If the venue has more space or can utilise their outdoor spaces and is able to add 10 x 6-seater tables and chairs, that figure can be up to and above £44K a week in extra revenue.
Warner Contract Furniture has a large selection of restaurant furniture for you to choose from, as well as outdoor furniture that you can use in your restaurant’s patio or garden. We know that every restaurant is different and can work with you to adapt your space to allow more customers to visit whilst ensuring functionality for staff.
Get in touch with our friendly team to find out more.
Offer takeaway
Offering takeaway meals to customers can be a great way to increase restaurant sales. The takeaway food market is expected to be worth over £20 billion and it shows no signs of slowing down.
If your restaurant serves a set number of tables, you’re limiting your reach to those specific customers. If you offer takeaway services, customers can come into your restaurant to collect their food and take it away to save table space. This becomes even more efficient if you offer a delivery option to those who are too busy to visit your restaurant. With a myriad of services such as Just Eat, Uber Eats and Deliveroo, it’s never been easier to start delivering to customers at home.
Upsell premium dishes
A proven way of increasing restaurant sales is by upselling premium dishes, as this allows you to increase your average order value per customer.
It’s all well and good to get a high number of customers, but if they are ordering the cheaper items off the menu, you will not be making the best profit margins. Upselling allows you to maximise the amount of revenue you can generate from their visit.
One third of the UK population plans to increase their time in pubs, bars, and restaurants during the festive season. These people, on average, spend £40.75 per person on food and drink, pushing premium will increase this even further for your business.
Always ensure to have specials for regulars who want to try something new, and encourage servers to suggest wine pairing options and promote any sides, starters and desserts you have on offer.
Offer more options
Offering more options that cater to more people’s tastes and preferences can increase customer quantity and, as a result, increase sales. You should always have options for diners with specific dietary requirements.
Of course, it is important that you don’t increase these options if your kitchen is unable to keep up with the number of varying dishes you have available. Customers still require quality when it comes to their food.
Redecorate
If you want to attract higher earners to your restaurant or make your restaurant feel new and exciting, your venue has to look the part. Our expanding range of premium stock will have just what you need to make your restaurant stand out from the crowd. From charmingly rustic to the latest modern design trends, you’ll find it in our selection of restaurant furniture.
You can rest assured that we will provide you with the best quality furniture for restaurants and other commercial environments. If you’re considering a restaurant redesign, get in touch with our team or read our blog to find out the best restaurant decor style ideas.
Restaurant advice and more with Warner Contract Furniture
Our products are built to withstand rigorous usage and can hold up in the busiest restaurants. We look to deliver your furniture as quickly as possible and always offer our furniture at competitive prices.
As well as premium restaurant furniture, we have many blogs for you to browse through to help you with running a restaurant.
Explore our restaurant, pub and cafe furniture, or contact our team to discuss bespoke furniture and bulk order discounts.