6 Restaurant Sales Promotions – Which One’s Right For You?

Have you ever wondered if it would be a good idea to use coupons for your restaurant business? The simple answer is that sales promotions can do wonders for businesses in the hospitality industry because people love a good deal! So offering sales promotions in your restaurant is not a matter of choice, its a must.

Consider this; 80% of diners have expressed that they are more likely to try a new restaurant if they can find a good deal and 57% of millennials actively look for restaurant coupons online before they plan to eat out.

So the fact is that consumers in the online age naturally expect restaurants to give them discounts, deals and coupons. And if you aren’t giving them any, then chances are that your competitors are more than happy to oblige them.

But restaurant sales promotions aren’t a one-time campaign. These should be implemented over a long time to help you attract and retain patrons to increase the customer lifetime value for your business.

Remember, promotions create happiness. Even a small discount can increase oxytocin levels in humans by 38%, making them feel unique and joyful. This is all the encouragement that some people need to order something at your restaurant.

Ultimately, there is no denying the fact that promotions can have a considerable influence on your prospective customers.

Businesses have to engage their guests and make them feel valued if they are to succeed in the hospitality industry. Make your customers believe that they are investing in an experience and not just spending money on food.

Here are six ways that restaurants can reach out to their guests using promotional tactics that are sure to work.

Restaurant Promotion Ideas That Work

Discounts

This infographic clearly shows that 42% of millennials and Gen Z prefer an upfront discount over free gifts.

Discounts can be seasonal, time-based or flat-off and all of these work very well – after all, 52% of diners have said that they went to a restaurant because of discounts they found online.

Events

If you want to experiment with the way your restaurant makes and serves dishes but don’t want to risk losing existing customers, specials are a great way to build on the novelty.

Create theme-based seasonal events or chef’s specials to entice a different kind of customer – someone who would enjoy seasonal items that aren’t commonly on the menu.

Plan these promotions around major events in your area such as concerts or cricket matches etc. For example, you could offer 10% off to people who have a ticket to an upcoming game.

Loyalty Programs

Fast food restaurants have made a lot of money through loyalty programs; these can sway 50% of customers when they are selecting a place to dine out.

They also give guests an incentive to keep coming back for more and enjoy the benefits offered only to those in the program – also giving them a sense of accomplishment about the whole endeavour.

So, for example, if you have a bar or pub, you can tell your clientele to try every beer on the list to be eligible for a 5% discount for the rest of the year.

Deals

‘Buy One, Get One’ restaurant deals are one of the most irresistible sales promotional offers for anyone who loves good food.

And since 18-30-year-olds are always looking for affordable dining options and bar-restaurants, you can encourage them to pour into your eatery with the right BOGO and Happy Hour promotions. Keep the drinks cheap and flowing; also offer combo meals and free snacks with beer to keep them happy.

Combos

Take a look at your menu and see what items complement each other and sell them together. It’d be a good idea to bundle a mid-priced item with a more extravagant dish or a high-priced wine. Or you could take something from the fixed-priced menu and put it together with two extras that people wouldn’t usually buy – discount the bundle by 10% and we promise it will generate interest amongst the public.

As long as these dishes work well together and offer real value for money, people will come in to try them.

Host Giveaways And Contests

If you want to build a lasting relationship with your customer base, you must incentivise them to follow you and keep them interested in all that you have to offer.

Running giveaways and contests on social media is the key to increasing your follower count and gaining better engagement on your posts.

Common gifts and giveaways can include a gift card to your restaurant, a group lunch, a romantic dinner for two or whatever else the occasion and event demand.

Conclusion

Sales promotions don’t just help increase sales but also offer an opportunity to enhance brand awareness in your restaurant. As such, they compel 27% of consumers to opt for retailers they wouldn’t usually buy from.

We’d love to know if you plan to use these or other promotional tactics at your restaurant. Get in touch with us to learn more about deploying the right marketing ideas for your restaurant business.

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