Running a restaurant can be a lucrative business opportunity. If you have always wanted to create your own eatery to entertain customers and serve delicious food, being a restauranter is probably a dream come true.
However, in recent years, the hospitality industry has been hit hard. From navigating the uncertainty of the pandemic and forced closure while everyone was in quarantine to trying to tempt customers through your doors and part with cash as living costs rise, running a restaurant is no easy task. However, creating an atmosphere that feels welcoming and offers a positive experience to diners can make all the hard work worthwhile.
But first, you must find a way to entice potential patrons through your doors. With summer approaching fast, now is the ideal time to focus your efforts on winning new customers. The summer trade is potentially your busiest time of year, so don’t miss out on maximizing this opportunity. Here are some ideas to get you started:
Invest in Outside Seating
The more patrons you can welcome into your restaurant, the more money you can make. The summer is the perfect time to increase your number of covers, as you can make the most of the sunny weather and introduce some outside seating.
Guests will love to try al fresco dining and enjoy the chilled-out summer vibe. Investing in dining tables and chairs is easy when you buy from a specialist supplier, such as National Outdoor Furniture. Ordering your outside furniture now will ensure you have everything ready for summer and can maximize this money-making opportunity from the start of the summer season.
Plan an Exciting Menu
Introducing fresh flavors to your menu and promoting this on social media is an excellent way to attract new customers looking for an exciting dining experience. Adding seasonal ingredients and specialist dishes created using these will ensure that your menu immediately grabs the attention of your customers. If you make the menu exciting enough, customers, both new and old, won’t be able to resist trying your new flavors.
If your restaurant is famous for a signature dish or has several menu items that are really popular, you may wish to consider offering these favorites with a seasonal twist. Slightly updating the ingredients to reflect the summer is a simple way to liven up your menu.
Organize Some Fun-Filled Events
Getting customers through the door is not always easy, especially if you have a lot of competing restaurants in your local area. Attracting the attention of potential customers and capturing the interest of existing customers will be a lot easier when you organize some fun-filled events.
Seasonal events are a perfect opportunity to encourage customers to come and eat with you and enjoy the party atmosphere. There are lots of different summer events you could consider hosting, so you could make this a regular feature throughout the season to entice tourists into your restaurant. From barbeque grills to cocktail nights and even fancy dress evenings, the possibilities are endless.
