Winter often prompts people to stay inside and avoid excursions. Why venture into the cold when you can stay at home with blankets and a heater? Indeed, the comfort of home is a solace to everybody - except those who work in restaurants and rely on revenue from customers. Does weather affect restaurant business? Indeed, the winter months come with unique challenges for anybody who works in hospitality, as sales slow and tips dwindle. Luckily, there are ways to boost restaurant sales in winter, including the following four strategies.
With fewer patrons coming to a restaurant, it's the perfect time for the restaurant to come to them. Restaurateurs should get involved in their community be donating to school auctions, showing up to neighborhood initiatives, and donating time and goods to community service centers. This is a great way to give back to the community, but it's also a great way to build brand awareness for a restaurant.
People are often less willing to leave the house during the winter months, so it may be difficult to reach customers with traditional advertisement methods. People will still be logging onto social media, despite the weather, though - so it's time to move marketing efforts online. Small businesses, including restaurants, can benefit greatly from the advertising tools that are available on social media. Taking the time to curate some intentional marketing campaigns can pay off quickly. It's also a great way to build an organic audience.
As the new year approaches, many restaurant patrons will be facing the reality of their New Year's resolution - and for most, that resolution will involve a commitment to healthier eating habits. Restaurants can set themselves apart from competitors by crafting a menu that's particularly compatible with a range of resolutions. Trying to eat keto? Paleo? Vegan? Restaurants don't necessarily need to create new dishes to cater to these dietary needs - simply market existing options according to these labels. A menu that incorporates these elements can be a great tool for marketing and gaining a devoted clientele.
Marketing is always an important part of a restaurant's success. With the downtime that comes with winter, it offers a great opportunity to sit down and honestly assess marketing goals for the upcoming year. Restaurant owners should identify specific goals and develop a budget for all marketing efforts. A budget should also be developed for the overall expenses of the store, taking into account the cost of a restaurant insurance program and other necessary expenses. Tracking all of these costs before the new year is a great way to stay prepared.
At RMS Hospitality Group, our expertly crafted policies are written specifically for the hospitality industry. We offer custom-tailored solutions to meet any venue's specific needs. For more information, contact our knowledgeable experts today at (888) 359-8390.
At RMS and associated firms, business continues as usual. Our staff is remote-capable and available to handle all partners, brokers, and insureds at the present time.
