Five tips on how your restaurant can snap out of the slump.
 

Not since 2009 has the restaurant industry seen such a grim outlook with declining sales and shop closures. High bills for gas, the cost of healthcare, rent and more expenses in general, are causing customers to become increasingly cautious about how they spend their money. The result is personal cuts on non-essential spending, which means consumers are opting to stay home and cook rather than go out. Lower food prices at the grocery store have also helped sway customers to home-cooked meals. This is coupled with the fact that many consumers today feel like restaurants aren’t meeting their needs in terms of nutrition and value.

But there’s hope! Restaurant owners and managers need to re-think how to deliver an enticing and enjoyable experience to their patrons and provide them with the best bang for their buck. Here are five ways to help heighten customer satisfaction and increase return visits to slide out of the restaurant slump.

Make them Loyal

Loyalty programs can help solidify the customer-restaurant relationship and make your business a go-to meal choice. Fifty-seven percent of heavy buyers (people who eat at the same restaurant chain three times or more a week) say that a loyalty program would entice them to visit more.² By implementing a loyalty program with an incentive such as a free dish or dessert after ten visits, you can provide value to your customer and keep them coming back for more.

Vary Portion Sizes

There’s been a shift in eating habits in the U.S. and many adults today no longer eat three full meals a day. Grazing and snacking are becoming more popular and a great way to cater to this trend is to offer a variety of portion sizes. Half-sized orders, small plates or mini-desserts can provide options for all budgets and tastes.² Lighter and smaller meals can be attractive to people watching their weight, groups looking for a shared food experience and millennials/Gen Z who think oversized portions went out with printed coupons.

Highlight the Healthy

Whether they’re trying to lose or maintain weight, a whopping 66 percent of Americans are currently dieting.³ Overall, consumers aren’t looking for a quick fix, they want to develop healthy eating habits for the long run. Help them achieve their goals by offering healthier items on your menu and educating consumers on how to make better choices. Highlight lighter food items and call out when something is made with whole grains, low salt or sugar, or with produce. Rather than saying something is diet or low-calorie — which has a negative connotation — point out fresh seasonal and whole foods to provide a balanced nutritional experience.