What is the best way to get people to try a new restaurant?

Question

The food is great & so is the ambience. Prices are fair. When people do come in, the food & service is highly praised. There were two other restaurant concepts in the same location prior. Any suggestions?

Answer 1

Getting reviewed in a local paper is a great way to get new customers.

If the food is as good as you say it is, then word-of-mouth is the best way to get new customers. Be patient and use the time to hone your new restaurant's processes and procedures. (Many restaurants fail because they grow too quickly, can't handle the volume, and patrons get frustrated and stop coming.) Also have business cards with a small map and directions printed and ready to hand out. Make sure your business cards are done tastefully and professionally with color schemes to match with your restaurant's decor. For example, one of my favorite restaurants in the world is in a out-of-the-way place that does no advertising. It's impossible to find the first time, but everytime I'm in that city, I go because the food, service, and ambiance is that good. I heard about it from a friend.

Your image as a restaurant is important. If you're trying to be a classy place where people come to get away from chain restaurants or for special occasions, then I'd do as little advertising as you can get away with. You are what you are and you stick with it.

If you have a separate backroom to host groups, market to local businesses to have lunch meetings there. Another option is to offer delivery / catering for office lunches. I've gone to restaurants on my own that I was first introduced through a company lunch or meeting. (However, make sure your lunch and dinner menus are different, otherwise they might not come back.)

Blessings in your new endeavor.

Answer 2

I think the best way to get people into a new restaurant is to manage to your audience. Good food and a great atmosphere are good to have but what about trying to capture the interests of your locals? Try to keep your menu interesting by offering new concepts in your food/preparation. Advertise your specials and maybe add some flair by having a live performance once in awhile. The goal should be to connect with your community and cater to them so they can help propel your business through word of mouth.

Answer 3

Some Resatuarnt:
tell them you went there and the food was amazing. point out the things you liked, any good dishes, the special things you know about the restaurant that others might not know (like, the fresh fish on tuesday is great).
good ratings from y! local, citysearch etc help bolster the effort

Your own restaurant: (if you are starting ur restaurant)
invest time in getting them listed on online sources like y local, citysearch, scan some blogs...
word of mouth works best, treat your first customers with extra love, they will spread the word around.

Answer 4

Offer a special price to a charity and let them plan an afternoon fashion show to raise money. Usually a Woman's Board at a hospital is looking for fund-raisers. Contact the newspapers for publicity. Contact a well known Hair Stylist to participate for more exposure. Good publicity will bring people in initially. If it's good, they will spread the word.

Answer 5

It depends on what type of restaurant you have. Your best bet is to go to the local businesses and offer discounts for the locals. And maybe what i have seen done is comp the bosses. Word of mouth will do the rest. If you dint do lunch try it and tell the local businesses that you will be opening for lunch especially for Them your Neighbors. All business has luncheons and if they like it they come back with their family for dinner. You really do have to give to get in your line of work but it has helped many restaurants i have suggested this too. Your first order of business is getting them in the first time and making them remember their experience.

Answer 6

Good advertisements tend to work. You should try a promo with a local radio station. Donate a gift card/certificate they can give away on the air in exchange for some publicity. Keep pushing excellence

Answer 7

word of mouth is the best way to market your restaurant - give people plenty of reasons to come back in addition to the already great service, food, and ambiance (i.e. coupons, entertainment, happy hour) and to tell their friends/family...

what about delivery or catering or hosting events?

if the place is really great, word of mouth will prove to be effective naturally....good luck!

Answer 8

Drop off some business cards at trendy bars, hair salons, the gym. Get the "going out" crowd to come.

Answer 9

Word of mouth is the best way to build a reputation. Perhaps flyers or some sort of coupon???

Answer 10

Word of Mouth