12 marketing tips to attract more customers to your restaurant

Are you struggling to figure out how to attract more customers to your restaurant and keep them coming back for more? It's a common dilemma, and at TheFork, we hear you. That's why we're here to provide you with 12 essential marketing tips that will help your dining establishment not only fill your tables quickly, but also build a loyal long-term customer base.

12 marketing tips to attract more customers

1. Optimise online booking with TheFork Widget

One of the most impactful marketing strategies for restaurants is to streamline the booking process. Make it easy for potential customers to reserve a table by integrating TheFork on your website and other online platforms. 

This will ensure your guests’ satisfaction and reduce barriers to the dining experience you offer.  

2. Forge local business collaborations

Local partnerships can powerfully boost your restaurant’s traffic. Team up with nearby small businesses, such as farms, social enterprises, producers, and shops. 

By partnering with local business owners, you will prove to potential customers that your restaurant has a stake in community events and growth. As a result, your reach and engagement will expand, attracting a diverse target audience.

3. Leverage TheFork for Promotions

TheFork offers a fantastic platform to run special offers when you need an extra influx of guests. Whether it's a seasonal menu, a holiday special, or discounted offerings at specific dates and times, promotions pique people’s curiosity, making them more likely to choose your restaurant for their next meal out. 

TheFork's comprehensive dashboard helps you track the impact of your special offer, meaning you can monitor how your marketing strategies have worked to attract more customers to your restaurant. 

4. Keep your menu fresh and exciting

Offering the same dishes repeatedly can become monotonous — your kitchen should be a fresh canvas for experimentation every time a customer returns! So, how can you attract customers and keep them coming back for more? 

By refreshing your menu on a regular basis and introducing new flavours, seasonal ingredients and creative dishes, your kitchen will never disappoint. Once your new menu is ready, don't forget to announce it to your loyal patrons through email and social media.

5. Share glowing reviews on social media

Positive online reviews are the gold standard for any dining establishment. Instead of just saying your food is great, let real guests do the talking. 

Share rave reviews left by diners on platforms like TheFork to your social media channels. Highlight those glowing ratings in your Instagram stories to boost credibility and showcase the exceptional experiences of satisfied customers.

6. Run engaging contests

People love winning prizes! Regularly organise contests on your social media channels where customers can win exciting rewards, such as a romantic dinner for two. 

The more imaginative the contest, the greater the attention it will garner and the more potential guests you can entice. This, in turn, will encourage participants to follow your restaurant, tag friends, and actively engage with your brand. 

This marketing strategy capitalises on the power of word-of-mouth, getting participants and winners talking about your contest and their social media interactions.

7. Collaborate with local influencers

Influencers can significantly impact your restaurant's visibility. Invite local food and lifestyle influencers to experience your restaurant and share their honest reviews with their followers. 

Choosing influencers who align with your brand values will help attract more customers. The positive reviews of brand-appropriate influencers will count the most, as they can boost your social currency, making a visit to your restaurant an aspirational must-try for the clients you most hope to entice.

8. Host memorable theme nights

Add character to your restaurant by regularly organising special theme nights. Consider introducing evenings with live music, wine pairings, or highlighting certain cuisines. Unique dining experiences not only generate buzz on the night but also create a sense of anticipation preceding the events, effectively attracting more customers while also giving them a compelling reason to return.

9. Encourage word-of-mouth promotion

Word-of-mouth is always one of the most powerful marketing tools in your arsenal. Encourage satisfied customers to spread the word by offering them a business card that doubles as a voucher for a complimentary drink to share with friends. Guests who book through TheFork can also leave their reviews on the app and website.

10. Elevate your chef's profile

Even your chef can help your marketing campaign by becoming the face of your restaurant. To bring your kitchen maestro into the spotlight, try featuring them more prominently on your social media channels. 

You can have your chef explain dishes in videos, share recipes and stories, and interact with customers at their tables. Such a personal touch can bring smiles to your guests' faces.

11. Offer a peek behind the scenes

To add authenticity and transparency to your brand, take your followers behind the scenes. Share photos and videos showcasing the daily hustle and bustle in your restaurant, from prep to service to after-hours. This helps customers connect with your brand on a deeper level.

12. Utilise social media effectively and local SEO

A final important point, social media platforms are great tools if you want to connect with your target customers on a deeper level. Share quality content to promote your restaurant, staff and dishes. Keep your followers up-to-date by creating engaging videos and posts to boost their interest and establish a dialogue with them through Stories and polls. Through these, you will receive direct feedback from the public and show a side of your business they weren’t aware of. Secure your follower and customer base loyalty by sharing special offers and positive reviews while boosting social currency.

Local SEO strategies can be useful if you want to feature prominently in Google search results. By finding the right keywords for your target audience and updating your Google My Business profile for an SEO-oriented approach, satisfied customers are encouraged to leave positive reviews, expanding the reach of word-of-mouth praise. 

Additionally, outlining a good backlink strategy can help your business receive mentions from reputable sources across the web. Remember to always publish articles in a blog embedded in your site that can highlight your business products, services, staff, dishes, and so forth. These online activities will help you to entice potential guests and attract more customers to your restaurant.  

Ready to Get Started?

By implementing these 12 marketing tips for restaurants with help from TheFork, you'll not only optimise your online presence but also foster collaborative growth, creating unique dining experiences that will keep your customers satisfied and eager to return. 

It's time to fill your restaurant with happy guests! Click here to get started.