Ways To Promote A New Restaurant

1. • There are many ways to promote a new restaurant depending on the type, location and your budget for marketing. Give yourself at least three months serving up good meals before getting into some serious marketing, as you will want to get all the "bugs" out and make sure your restaurant is operating at full steam. You want the word to get out about your restaurant, but you want that word to be a positive one.

   Website

   • Design a simple and easy-to-read website, keeping in mind that people want basic information. Make it easy to navigate, as people are generally impatient and want quick answers. Include a sample menu, location and directions, as well as a brief history of the restaurant and an introduction to the owners. The website should encourage people to visit your establishment and give them information about special features, menu items and perks that you have to offer.

   Marketing starts with hello

   • Greeting your new customers will set the tone for their dining experience. The person who greets the customers should be attractive, friendly and warm. Train your help to answer the phone with a friendly and inviting voice, and an eagerness to answer questions.

   Advertising and Public Relations

   • Send out a news release announcing the opening of your restaurant to local newspapers. Check all online restaurant lists and get listed on as many as possible. Today, people go online for information about their favorite types of restaurants. After your restaurant has been running for a few months, you may want to advertise in newspapers and local magazines, and ultimately place ongoing ads in those publications.

   Grand Opening

   • Grand openings work well for new restaurants, and should be planned with a specific budget in mind. Have the opening after you have been open for three months, and be sure to get free publicity from local publications. Greet as many people as possible, make sure you are well-staffed and be sure the place is spotless and festive.

   Promotional Items

   • Drop off items with your restaurant's logo and information. Post-It pads with pens are well-received as people use these everyday. Pass these out to customers during your first week in business or on a continuing basis. Always have your name, address, phone number and web address on everything you give out.

   Freebies and Discounts

   • How wise is it to offer discounts or freebies in your restaurant? There are good points and bad points in offering special deals. Initially, it can bring in new customers, but once they take advantage of the specific bargain, they return expecting the deal to continue indefinitely. Offering good food, good service and a cheerful atmosphere make good sense for creating a succesful restaurant. 

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