Sometimes, it’s not always possible when you’re just starting to spend a lot of money on an advertising budget to attract new restaurant customers. Rather than paying for print or other types of media advertising, here are a couple of ideas to help you generate the new customers you need to get started:
– Find out what charities are operating in your area. These groups are always organizing some type of fundraiser for their group, and you can offer a gift certificate valid for a set amount at your establishment. Check with your accountant or attorney, as the gift certificate amount could be tax deductible, depending on your legal tax status (in the US you must have 501C status for tax-exempt organizations, for example). Generally, the word of mouth advertising you will get for your donation will be worth the effort. In addition to earning a reputation for being actively interested and active in the community, your restaurant could be included on the donor list for the event for which you have awarded gift certificates. Please note that to get the list, you may need to donate a fixed amount such as at least $ 100. But you MAY set limitations on the duration of the certificates (for example, one year or two years) or exclude them from use in certain holidays like Christmas Eve or New Years Eve when you can reasonably expect to be closed or extremely busy. Once you have decided on the amounts / limitations, you can easily print the certificates on your company computer and sign them for delivery to the charity.
– Sponsor a local sports team like bowlers or a baseball team. It can help cover the cost of uniforms or other necessary equipment. If this option is still too rich for what you can afford, sponsor a runner or two at a local marathon or charity run and show up on race day to cheer on your sponsored runners.
– Find out if there will be any specialty conventions (i.e. sci-fi / fantasy or comics) in your city that will be attended by many fans or vendors. Many of the conventions, especially science fiction and comic books, have tables set up at the front of the convention when entering or exiting, known as “free tables.” Various businesses, fan groups, etc. you can place brochures here to advertise. At the bottom of the flyer, you can offer something like a 15% off coupon for any convention attendee to use if they bring it when they frequent your establishment. If you offer delivery, you might consider offering a fixed amount of shipping costs and / or the total order if you present the coupon when the person making the delivery appears. People who attend or work at this type of event, especially if they are not from the area, may be more likely to try your restaurant if there is some type of discount offered through a flyer. You are also more likely to get more word of mouth recommendations if your customers like what they find. Historically, most of those who return in the following years have been known to be loyal repeaters who are likely to spread the fame of their business among their friends, which greatly helps in running a restaurant.