10 Ways to Get More Customers for Your Diner
There’s nothing quite like the diner experience. That distinct smell of bacon, eggs, and coffee in the air is absolutely intoxicating.
As an owner, you’re all about providing that wonderful tradition where patrons leave, warmed from head-to-toe with food sticking to their ribs.
But the restaurant industry is competitive, and you need to continually think of ways to thrive — especially if you’re looking to expand. Or, maybe you’ve just opened a new diner in town and want to become profitable, ASAP.
You’re in luck because we’ve provided 10 helpful tips that’ll help grow your diner:
1. Focus on Your Regulars
The Pareto Principle works off the notion that 80% of your business comes from 20% of your client base.
So, do everything you can to foster a group of people that visits your establishment at least once a week. In fact, it’s not unheard of for regulars to visit a diner every day, even if it’s just for coffee.
That means offering premium service — ensuring the service staff takes notes on who are fixtures in your establishment. Providing these people perks for their continued business will only help ensure they keep coming back and spreading the word of your excellent dishes, …speaking of which….
2. Encourage Word of Mouth
When you have those regulars in your establishment, you tend to build personal relationships. With that kind of goodwill, it becomes much easier to ask for an online review, which significantly impacts consumers’ perceptions of food and hospitality businesses.
Beyond that, people trust word of mouth over any other kind of marketing.
3. Provide Incentives
We discussed giving regular customers perks already, and honestly, if you really want to encourage positive reviews, every bit of incentive helps.
After all, reports show that 73% of loyalty program members are more likely to recommend brands with good loyalty programs.
Best of all, a digital rewards program like Loopy Loyalty is easy to implement in your diner and reduces waste because there’s no need to print out any stamp cards.
Offer anything from a free coffee after earning 5 digital stamps to a complimentary signature burger plater after spending $200 in your establishment.
4. Align Your Business Model with the Times
Reach hungry consumers you otherwise wouldn’t with the technology that’s prevalent in today’s landscape.
For example, align with businesses like Uber Eats or FoodPanda, and you won’t have to pay a permanent delivery guy for takeout services. These businesses also view you as a partner and will provide some form of marketing services.
5. Find a Hook
What is your diner’s identity?
Is your establishment quirky? Or is it filled with historical photographs? Are your milkshakes the best in town? Do you make your own bagels?
There’s got to be the unique thing about your diner that consumers will embrace. That’s what helps form marketing campaigns.
6. Food Bloggers Are Your Friend
Food bloggers can be intimidating and, if things aren’t to their satisfaction, they can negatively impact your reputation.
This fact is more reason to befriend and network with these individuals — and to ask them for input. They have their fingers on the pulse of what foodies and other consumers are looking for from their diner experience.
7. Online Cooking Videos
You’d be amazed by the amount viewers you’d encounter by producing a video of you cooking your famous eggs benedict, frittata, or crispy potatoes.
Millennials (one of your most major demographics), absolutely love cooking videos. And it’s a way for you to not only advertise your diner but also engage with your audience and give them something of value. You’ll maybe even go viral and reach a mass amount of people — who’ll want to visit your restaurant during a road trip, perhaps.
8. Sponsor a Local Team
Be the diner people see on a local children’s rec league baseball or soccer team’s jersey. Diners thrive on having a community presence, and sponsoring a local team is one way to establish such a thing.
It also opens you up to potential networking opportunities in the league and with parents.
9. Teach a Cooking Class at the Local Community Center
Speaking of growing within the community, teaching a cooking class is a perfect way to establish yourself as a culinary authority in town. It’s also a way to provide outreach and harness goodwill within your community.
10. Market Daily Specials
Offer daily specials — like all you can eat hash browns on Monday or half-off breakfast combos on Thursday. It will increase foot traffic and help your diner grow.
And guess what? You can inform your regular, loyalty customers about these specials with Loopy Loyalty’s push notifications, so they don’t miss out.
