How to Promote Your Restaurant Without Going Broke

Advertising your restaurant may at times seem unaffordable, but the fact is you can't afford not to. Many advertising methods are quite expensive when weighed against the rate of return on your investment. To effectively promote your business, you have to develop unique and creative ideas that provide a big return without breaking your budget.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderately Challenging

Things You’ll Need:

• Local phone directory
• Promotional coupons and flyers

1. Eat at the restaurants run by your competition. You'll never know where you stand in your market if you don't keep tabs on the other guy. Knowing their strengths and weaknesses will help you create effective marketing tactics that promote your strengths.
   
2. Introduce your restaurant to potential customers by offering samples of one of your products. Determine what product you offer that is a good representation of your menu and that is easily transported. Then designate one day a week to take a free sample of your product to a local business in your service area along with menu flyers or in-store coupons.
3. Contact your local school administrators and present a program to provide school lunches during field trips. Select two different meals to give them a choice, but ensure both are healthy and can easily be prepared for a large group. Price them so that you create an affordable option for the kids when they're away from the cafeteria. Be sure to include flyers and coupons upon delivery, but more importantly, take the opportunity to get to know the staff and parents from the school.
4. Designate early bird dining hours and give out special identification cards to seniors offering a discount on their bill when they dine during those hours. Have them register with a name and address to get the special card, as that will give you information for building a mailing list for future promotions.
5. Give customers a coupon for a free dessert or discount on a meal as they pay their bill. Make the offer good for their next visit to help build repeat business.

Tips & Warnings

• When looking for businesses to take free samples to, be sure to include schools and day care centers. In addition to the staff working there, there are countless parents you could gain additional exposure from as well.
• When giving out coupons of any type, include a code on them designating which promotion they came from. It is important to track which of your programs gain the most response.
• Shop around when having large quantities of flyers printed. There can be quite a difference in charges from one printer to the next.
• Don't give customers coupons for freebies or discounts upon their arrival if your intention is for them to use them on their next visit. They may use the offer right away and then not come back for the second purchase, which dilutes your profits.