So you decided to open your restaurant. You have the perfect location, concept, and menu. The only thing left is to open your doors and let the customers come rolling in, right? Not so fast.
In today’s hypercompetitive restaurant market, standing out from the crowd is more important than ever. In 2019 statistics show that there were 51,675 licensed and unlicensed restaurants in the UK alone. If we include the number of takeaway food shops, bakeries, bars, pubs, and cafes, the total would be 123,395.
Going up against all those other food chains can be daunting, but don’t fret. There are plenty of things you can do to make your restaurant shine.
Here are four tips to help your restaurant stand out from the competition:
1. Give Your Restaurant a Makeover
In today’s Instagram-obsessed world, first impressions matter more than ever. When customers walk into your restaurant, you want them to wow them with the decor, ambiance, and overall aesthetic. If your restaurant looks dated or doesn’t reflect your brand identity, it’s time for a makeover.
Let’s say you own an Italian restaurant. You may consider adding some rustic charm with brick walls, vintage wine bottles, and twinkling lights. Or, if you have a more modern concept, you can make a statement with bold colors, geometric shapes, and sleek lines.
Suppose your store location is somewhere highly visible, such as on a busy street corner. In that case, you may also want to consider updating your storefront to make it more eye-catching and inviting. Don’t forget about making seasonal updates to your restaurant to ensure the comfort of your customers.
With cold months just around the corner, you can consider installing an indoor fireplace. This is a great way to add warmth and ambiance to your restaurant. One of your best options in terms of style and sustainably would be a bioethanol fireplace.
These fireplaces don’t require electricity, gas, or other flammable liquids, making them eco-friendly. Such indoor fireplaces are also becoming increasingly popular in restaurants as they provide a unique dining experience for customers. These are safe alternatives to traditional fireplaces that you can place almost anywhere in your restaurant. You only need to find a reliable bioethanol indoor fireplace supplier that offers different types of bioethanol fireplaces to ensure you find one that matches your style.
2. Think of Sustainability
More consumers are becoming aware of the importance of sustainability and ethical practices. Incorporating such techniques into your restaurant can make a great impression on your target market.
There are many ways to make your restaurant more sustainable. One way to do this is to use eco-friendly products. This includes using recycled materials, energy-efficient appliances, and sustainable building materials.
You can also reduce your restaurant’s carbon footprint by sourcing ingredients from local farmers and producers. This not only helps to reduce food miles but also supports the local economy.
You can also focus on ensuring that your employees are treated fairly and given a livable wage. You can also source your ingredients from suppliers that have ethical farming practices. This will allow you to appeal to consumers looking to support restaurants with similar values.
3. Leverage Tech Trends
Technology is rapidly changing the restaurant industry. And if you want your restaurant to stand out, you need to be on top of the latest trends.
One tech trend that you can leverage is online ordering. This allows customers to order their food from your website or mobile app. This is convenient for customers as they can avoid long lineups and wait times. Ensure that your app or website is mobile-friendly since more and more people are using their smartphones to order food.
Another tech trend that you can take advantage of is self-service ordering kiosks. These allow customers to place their orders without interacting with a waitstaff. This can help to reduce labor costs and improve efficiency.
You can also start boosting your brand’s presence on social media. According to a study, up to 45% of consumers say they tried eating at a restaurant after seeing the brand’s ad on social media. Post mouthwatering photos of your food, share updates on new menu items and run social media promotions regularly.
4. Open Your Doors When Other Restaurants Are Closed
Most restaurants are only open for lunch and dinner. If you want your restaurant to stand out, consider opening when other restaurants are closed. This will allow you to attract customers looking for a late-night bite or a place to eat early in the morning.
Of course, you don’t have to be open 24 hours a day. But even being open for breakfast or late-night service can help you attract new customers. Make sure you have the staff and supplies needed to accommodate the different hours.
You can consider opening your restaurant for breakfast on weekends or late-night service during the week. Or you can start offering delivery or takeout to give customers more options. It pays to ask your loyal customers when they want to see your restaurant open, so you can make the necessary changes.
Standing out from the competition is essential to your restaurant’s success. By following these tips, you can make your restaurant more appealing to potential customers. Always put your customer needs first, and you’ll be on your way to success.
