Month: April 2022

Running a restaurant isn’t easy. You have licenses to acquire and plenty of hidden costs to cover that you may not have expected. It’s essential to cut costs, but you want to do it in a way that doesn’t sacrifice quality. Here are seven innovative ways restaurants can save money, and you can see which ones are right for your business.

1. Use Lighting To Lower Your Power Bill

Many restaurants open, turn the lights on, and then turn them off at closing time. High electrical bills are enough to run any establishment out of business. It’s a good idea to use your lighting to your advantage. Open the windows during the daytime or use dimmer bulbs in the evening to create ambiance. You’ll save money on power and create a more unique atmosphere.

2. Reinvent Your Dishes

Create a menu that reuses as many key ingredients as possible to cut down on costs for excess ingredients. If you serve shrimp and grits, but that’s the only dish on your menu that uses shrimp, consider removing that item or incorporating shrimp into other menu options. Buying excess ingredients that go to waste is a significant pitfall for restauranteurs.

3. Create a Rewards Program

Rewards programs make your customers feel special and incentivize them to return to your establishment. Something as small as a “buy five appetizers and get one free” deal can bring in many returning customers.

4. Social Media Advertising

Social media has changed the game when it comes to getting the word out. Businesses can create hashtags and have customers post free advertising for them. Reviews on sites like Google or Yelp generate a lot of helpful buzz for local establishments. Instead of paying for more traditional advertising, social media engagement and word and mouth are great ways to spend word of your business for a substantially lower cost.

5. Electronic Menu Options

One innovative way restaurants can save money is by incorporating digital menus. By investing in digital restaurant menu tablets, owners can save money printing multiple menus. Electronic menus also increase the size of each check, as customers enjoy the freedom to explore their options. Another advantage of digital menus is that they’re easy to update if you ever change your entrée options.

6. Provide Delivery Options

More and more restaurants partner with delivery service apps like Grubhub or Doordash. Getting your restaurant on one of these sites is a great way to increase sales. If you’re an exciting restaurant people have never tried before, they’re likely to try your establishment when scrolling through the app.

7. Creative Upselling

Teach your staff that it’s okay to offer suggestions and add-ons. The classic “Would you like fries with that?” still goes a long way in the restaurant business. Don’t be afraid to recommend specials or suggest an appetizer with their meal. And of course, everybody loves dessert.

To make innovative changes to your restaurant, start by learning more about the exciting options available from eMenu International. We have everything you need to set your restaurant up with electronic menus.

Upselling isn’t just about convincing customers to spend more money. You want to create a unique experience that makes your guests feel comfortable and appreciated. These techniques create regular customers and grow your bar’s reputation. Here are a few special upselling techniques for bars that everybody should know.

Value Employee Education

It’s easy to suggest the more expensive whiskey when your customer wants a Jack and Coke. But when the customer asks “Why?” make sure your bartenders can provide an answer beyond just wanting to create a bigger check.

Your bartenders should clearly understand what makes the more expensive whiskey better. Is this whiskey from a limited batch? Was the whiskey made in special barrels that add flavors not found in the well whiskey? The more your employees know about your products, the more they can express that knowledge to the customers, and informed customers are more likely to buy from an expert.

Build a Rapport With Guests

Building a sense of trust and comfort begins as soon as the customer walks in the door. Eye contact and a friendly greeting do wonders. When guests come up to the bar, make conversation, ask what they like, and use your knowledge of their likes and your bar to make recommendations.

Guests spend more time at a bar where they feel comfortable, and offering a recommendation based on their unique tastes makes them feel like your bar is a place that understands them.

Go for the Extras

Nobody likes pushy service but offering that little extra nudge is a valuable upselling technique for bars. Ask if the customer would like to make their drink a double. Tell the customer about any specials going on that are related to their drink of choice.

If your bar has an eMenu, let customers take their time with it. Making their own drinks through an iPad turns ordering into a fun experience, and your customer may want that extra shot of grenadine after all.

Now you know some tips for making customers feel more comfortable and relaxed in your establishment, teaching your staff the ins and outs of the menu, and having an iPad menu create a memorable experience to keep people coming back. At eMenu, you can purchase special menus such as iPad wine list software and much more.