Outshine the Competition: Creative Ways to Make Your Restaurant Thrive

Learn creative strategies to captivate diners and establish your restaurant as a local favorite.

Introduction

The restaurant industry is a delicious but highly competitive field. With endless options for hungry diners, it’s getting harder for restaurants to differentiate themselves. If you want to create a restaurant that thrives and becomes a beloved local institution, you need to find ways to stand out. Let’s dive into some creative strategies to do just that!

1. Curb Appeal: Make a Great First Impression

Location is essential, but don’t stop there! Think of your restaurant’s exterior as your first chance to wow potential customers.

Use bold colors, eye-catching window displays, or unique signage to attract attention.
Ensure your exterior reflects the vibe and energy of the dining experience inside.

2. Pop-Ups: Expand Your Reach

Take your culinary creations on the road! Food festivals, craft markets, or other local events are perfect opportunities for a pop-up booth.

Introduce your food to a new audience.
Test out new menu concepts to see what resonates with diners.

3. Guest Chefs: Spice Things Up

Invite a renowned guest chef to take over your kitchen for a special night or weekend.

Create a unique dining experience that gets customers talking.
Host a guest chef competition where diners judge the dishes to add excitement.

4. Promotions With a Twist

Sure, holidays are great for promotions, but surprise your customers with something special on an unexpected day.

Offer a prix-fixe menu on a Monday night to draw people in on slower days.
Feature menu items exclusive to the promotion for added appeal.

5. Trend-Setter Status

Don’t just give customers what they want—show them what’s next! Do your research to stay ahead of trends.

Incorporate new ingredients, unique dishes, or fresh concepts.
Align your innovations with your target demographic’s values and preferences.

6. Community Connection

Become a beloved neighborhood spot by getting involved in your community.

Sponsor local charity events to give back and raise awareness.
Launch a food donation program to reduce waste and help those in need.

Conclusion

Standing out takes effort, but the payoff is immense. Don’t be afraid to experiment with these ideas; even small changes can make a difference. Remember, your restaurant is about more than just food—it’s about creating an unforgettable experience for your diners.

Cameo’s booth #8033 will be the place to have a howlin’ good time at the National Restaurant Association Show!

Picture this: You’re rockin’ the restaurant world, hustlin’ hard, and your coffee’s gone cold. Woof, that’s rough. But guess what? Cameo’s got your back with our brand new, tail-waggingly cute dog mugs! We’re unleashing these adorable pups at the National Restaurant Association Show starting May 18th. And hey, we didn’t forget the quality dinnerware that made us the official dinnerware supplier for all foodservice operations at the 2008 Beijing Olympics!

Swing by our booth and let’s find your perfect furry coffee companion. Six different breeds to choose from – guaranteed to make those morning meetings way less of a drag. These mugs will be a paws-itively delightful reminder of all the awesome connections you make at the show.

Cameo: Where affordable, durable dinnerware, and a whole lot of cuteness collide.

We’re all about consistency, quality dishes, and customer service that’ll make you want to howl at the moon (in a good way). Because when your business shines, we shine too! Cameo’s team is ready to pounce on the chance to find the right dinnerware solution for you.

We’ve got warehouses stocked to the brim in both the US and Canada – Secaucus, New Jersey / Toronto, Canada.

Mark those calendars and come sniffin’ around Booth #8033 for a barkin’ good time!

May 18-21, 2024 —McCormick Place, Chicago.

Can’t wait to see your smiling faces!

Crafting a Winning Image: Innovative Strategies for Restaurant Social Proof

Stand out in the digital age with fresh approaches to building your restaurant’s reputation.

Introduction

In today’s digital landscape, social proof is vital for restaurant success. While traditional reviews and social media tactics remain important, creative approaches can set your brand apart. Here are innovative strategies to build your restaurant’s social proof and leave a lasting impression.

1. Embracing Storytelling in Marketing

People connect deeply with stories. Share your restaurant’s journey, the inspiration behind your dishes, and the people behind the scenes:

Highlight the origins of your ingredients or the cultural inspiration behind your menu.
Create video content or blog posts that showcase your team’s passion and dedication.
Encourage customers to share their personal experiences and memories of dining at your restaurant.

2. Collaborating with Local Influencers

Partner with food bloggers and influencers to expand your reach:

Host exclusive tasting events for influencers to generate buzz.
Ensure the influencer’s audience aligns with your target demographic for maximum impact.
Encourage influencers to create authentic content that showcases your restaurant’s unique qualities.

3. Hosting Community Events

Engage with your local community by organizing events such as:

Cooking classes to share your expertise and interact with customers.
Charity dinners that demonstrate your commitment to social causes.
Local food festivals to showcase your restaurant’s offerings.

These initiatives foster goodwill and generate organic, positive conversations around your brand.

4. Innovative Use of Technology

Enhance customer experience with cutting-edge technology:

Introduce augmented reality (AR) menus that provide an interactive experience.
Use digital table displays to showcase your specials or behind-the-scenes videos.
Leverage customer experience apps to gather and implement real-time feedback.

5. Showcasing Behind-the-Scenes

Transparency builds trust. Offer a glimpse into your daily operations by:

Sharing videos of your kitchen team preparing dishes.
Posting “day in the life” content of your staff on social media.
Highlighting the care that goes into creating each dish.

6. Integrating Customer Feedback into Operations

Show your customers that their opinions matter:

Regularly collect feedback through surveys and review platforms.
Implement customer suggestions and highlight these improvements in your marketing.
Thank customers publicly for their input, reinforcing their value to your business.

7. Sustainable Practices as a Marketing Tool

Position your restaurant as environmentally responsible by:

Using locally sourced, sustainable ingredients.
Adopting eco-friendly packaging and waste management practices.
Highlighting your commitment to sustainability in your marketing materials.

Appealing to environmentally conscious diners builds loyalty and enhances your brand image.

Conclusion

In the competitive world of restaurant marketing, traditional methods of building social proof are no longer enough. By embracing storytelling, community involvement, technology, transparency, customer feedback, and sustainability, you can create a compelling and unique brand image that resonates with today’s customers. Start implementing these strategies today to stand out and thrive!

Avoid Restaurant Expenses: Smart Tips

Unexpected costs can throw a wrench into even the most carefully planned restaurant budget. While it’s impossible to eliminate surprise expenses entirely, smart strategies can significantly minimize them. Let’s break down what causes these expenses and how to proactively manage them.

Understanding the Root Causes

Lack of Tracking: Unforeseen expenses often stem from not diligently tracking recurring costs or maintenance schedules.
Equipment Neglect: Assuming appliances will run forever without care is a recipe for costly repairs or replacements.
Waste and Inefficiency: Running out of supplies prematurely or having excessive energy usage hikes up costs.

Solutions for Avoiding Financial Surprises

Hire an Operations Manager: This individual will meticulously track expenses, identify patterns, and anticipate potential issues. Think of them as your financial watchdog!
Preventive Maintenance is Key: Establish a rigorous maintenance schedule for all equipment. Use a CMMS (Computerized Maintenance Management System) to stay organized and lengthen the lifespan of your appliances.
Foster a Culture of Conservation: Train staff on resource conservation, minimizing waste, and using equipment responsibly. Little changes make a big impact.
Strong Supplier Relationships: Build partnerships with your vendors. They might offer volume discounts, alert you to upcoming sales, and work with you to streamline your supply needs.

The Bottom Line: Smart Planning is Essential

The key to avoiding most unexpected restaurant expenses is proactive planning and attention to detail. By implementing these strategies, you’ll:

Improve operational efficiency
Extend the life of your equipment
Control supply costs
Increase your restaurant’s profitability

Remember – those who plan ahead minimize financial stress and maximize their chances of success!

4 Commonly Overlooked Expenses Restaurant Owners Should Never Forget

Plan smarter by understanding these critical expenses to keep your restaurant thriving.

Introduction

Many restaurateurs fail to properly plan for unexpected costs, which can jeopardize the success of their business. While it’s crucial to plan for contingencies, don’t let fear of expenses stop you from pursuing your dream of owning a restaurant.

Running a restaurant requires hard work, dedication, and realistic budgeting. Let’s explore four commonly overlooked expenses and tips to manage them effectively.

1. Technology

While technology is essential for survival and growth, it’s also an area where unnecessary spending often occurs. Ask yourself:

Do you need the latest high-tech equipment, or can you manage with older, less expensive models?
Are there areas where you can cut back without compromising functionality?

By evaluating your actual needs, you can save money while still maintaining efficiency and quality.

2. Marketing

In the past, restaurants relied on expensive marketing firms. Today, the internet offers cost-effective alternatives:

Use social media platforms like Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter to promote your business.
If time is a constraint, consider hiring a freelancer to manage your social media accounts. Freelancers are often more affordable than firms.

With the right strategy, you can create impactful marketing campaigns without overspending.

3. Music

Background music enhances the dining experience but comes with a cost. As a commercial entity, you’re required to pay licensing fees for the music you play.

Research licensing requirements to avoid unexpected fines.
Factor music fees into your budget, as they’re often overlooked but necessary expenses.

4. Utilities

While utilities are a known expense, their actual costs can surprise new restaurant owners. Consider the following:

Investigate the utility history of your location. Ensure there are no outstanding bills from previous tenants, as you may be held responsible.
Review utility contracts carefully to avoid hidden costs or unfavorable terms.

Being proactive about utilities can save you from unexpected financial burdens.

Conclusion

Overlooking key expenses can hinder your restaurant’s success. By carefully managing technology, marketing, music licensing, and utilities, you’ll be better equipped to navigate the challenges of restaurant ownership. Plan wisely, stay diligent, and keep pursuing your dream!

Attract New Customers: Exciting Restaurant Event Ideas

Sure, your regular dishes are fantastic, but why not make your restaurant a destination for unique, memorable experiences? Special events and promotions are fantastic ways to draw in new crowds and keep regulars excited to come back.

Here’s a whole host of event ideas that are sure to boost buzz and fill those tables:

Themed Experiences

Decade Nights: Tap into nostalgia with themed nights for the ’80s, ’90s, or any fun-loving era. Encourage costumes, play era-appropriate music, and feature foods that were all the rage “back then”.
Love Is In The Air: Don’t limit romance to Valentine’s Day. Designate a special night each month for couples with candlelight, romantic music, and special menus for two.
Sports Arena: Get in the game! Host viewing parties for big sporting events, and support local teams with team-inspired food and drinks.
Celebrity Encounters: Partner with a local celebrity for a guest bartender or meet-and-greet night. Decorate and create menu items to reflect their work!

Community-Focused Occasions

Charity Events: Partner with a local cause and create food and drink specials related to the charity. A percentage of proceeds or even a simple donation drive gets the community involved.
Singles’ Night: Help people mingle with a singles’ night event. Offer fun icebreakers, speed dating, or just a welcoming atmosphere for new connections.
VIP Only: Reward loyal customers with an exclusive club. Offer discounts and monthly special events just for VIPs to show your appreciation.

Deals and Promotions

Deal of the Day: Highlight seasonal ingredients with special dishes that change monthly or with the availability of fresh items.
Happy Hour: It’s a classic for a reason. Offer after-work specials on drinks and appetizers to draw in a relaxed crowd.
Buy One, Get One: Entice customers on slow nights with BOGO deals on appetizers, desserts, or select entrees.
Ladies’ Night / Men’s Night: Offer special promotions for groups of women or men. This could be drink deals or freebies to make their night out extra special.

Entertainment Extravaganza

Live Music: Book local bands and musicians to perform during dinner service. It sets a lively ambiance and supports your local arts scene.
Theme Nights: Go beyond decades with costume nights – think Mardi Gras, Hawaiian Luau, or your own original themes!
Karaoke: Add a competitive twist! Hold a regular karaoke contest where the winner gets a free meal or other prize.
Comedy Night: Laughter brings people together. Feature a local comedian for a fun twist on dinner service.
Open Mic Night: Create space for up-and-coming talent, whether it’s musicians, poets, or comedians. This brings in both performers and an audience eager to support them.

Something Extra Special

Wine Tastings: Feature unique wines or offer flights at a special price to attract wine enthusiasts.
Guest Chef/Bartender Nights: Bring in guest chefs or bartenders to add new dishes and drinks to the menu for a limited time.
Cooking Classes: Give guests an insider’s look with hands-on cooking classes where they can recreate your best dishes at home.

Get the Word Out!

Don’t forget to promote your events heavily on social media, your website, and through local channels. Eye-catching graphics and exciting descriptions will bring those crowds in.

Ready to try something new? Pick a few of these ideas and put your unique spin on them. With a little creativity and enthusiasm, you’ll transform your restaurant into the hottest spot in town!

Online Ordering Is The Wave Of The Future For Businesses and Restaurants

It was 2016 when restaurants embraced the idea of online ordering. In fact, restaurants who offer online ordering are succeeding six percent better than those who don’t offer the service. Six percent may not sound like a lot but think of it in terms of dollars – $2 billion.

$2 billion in sales you could be losing out on if you’re not using online ordering for your business.

No doubt the restaurants using online ordering POS programs like ChowNow and GrubHub are seeing a better bottom line. Restaurants with an integrated online ordering software with their POS systems are benefitting from the service. Your customers really benefit because no longer as they put on hold to order food. They can just go to the online site, order what they want and pay for it.

Of course, the real question is how do you stand out amongst the crowd. Implementing an online ordering service can be tricky and costly, and you still need to engage with your customers to ensure they keep coming back to your service. How do you do this and stay committed to your restaurant’s values and goal?

3 Ways To Boost Online Order Sales

Develop Some Online Ordering Marketing Strategies

Restaurants that offer online ordering see a rise in their revenue. According to GrubHub, there is a 30 percent increase in online ordering revenue for users. However, if you offer it and your customers don’t know about it, then they’re not going to use it. You’ll need to implement some strategies to spread the word about your online ordering service. How do you do this?

Use In-Store Messaging – This means using chalkboard signs, menu inserts, window displays, etc. Anything that will get the word out to your customers that you now offer online ordering for their convenience.
Use Receipt Space – Each time a customer pays for something, the receipt can be used for advertising space. Use it to add in a line that you offer online ordering. Why not even add in a coupon to it?
Offer Discounts For Online Ordering – If your customers use your online ordering service, consider giving them a discount on their order to entice them to continue using the service.

Carry Out A Social Media Marketing Campaign

Your orders may not be able to order by Tweet as of yet, but social media marketing is the new word of mouth marketing that can do your business real wonders or harm. So, make sure to use social media to spread the word about your online ordering service.

Facebook offers its Order Food option, making it easier for customers to order their food online.
Share online ordering promotions on your social media page.
Take and share pictures of your company, its staff and the food. If you have an online ordering menu that’s different from the in-store one, be sure to take a picture of it and post it for consumers to see.

Change The Way Your Phone Works

The idea is to get people acquainted with your online ordering service, why not change how your phone works.

When a customer calls your message, you can record a message that promotes the online ordering service. It’s the same principle idea of calling your doctor’s office and getting the message of the location’s hours and address.
Each takeout menu can include your phone number, but why not add your website to it along with it. This will help spur them to use the Internet to order their food rather than take phone calls.

Should You Use An Online Ordering Software For Your Restaurant?

According to statistics, 34 percent of people pay up to $50 when they order their food online. Compare that to just $15 to $30 in a full-service restaurant. It’s a no-brainer! Online ordering will net you more profit for your restaurant’s bottom line.

7 Trends Every Business Should Know in 2017

7 Restaurant Trends Every Business Should Know in 2017

At the latest count, the restaurant industry gathers over $600 million in revenue every twelve months. In addition to this, it’s still growing despite the rumors that people prefer to stay at home or try other things. With this in mind, now is a great time to enter the restaurant industry and it looks as though it will stay this way for many years to come.

Despite this, there will always be competition which means you need to stay ahead of the game at all times. By reading this guide, you’ve taken the first step and we applaud your will to get to the top of your industry in your area. Today, we’ve got seven trends that will get you where you need to be in the years ahead.

1. Expanding Palate

For a long time, the aim of restaurants was to offer as much as possible and appeal to the needs of everyone, and this actually worked. Sadly, these days are coming to an end and the customer is looking for new experiences. Even with classic dishes, such as the cheeseburger and fries, these are being replaced by foods from other cultures and healthier alternatives. Nowadays, the customer is looking to experiment and try something new.

Rather than adhering to the needs of the masses this year, we recommend choosing a niche and honing in on it for the next few months. Although you’ll appeal to a smaller audience, this audience is more likely to enjoy their experience and return in the near future.

2. Social Media

In recent years, we’ve seen the rise of social media, and it has allowed smaller businesses to appeal to a much larger crowd through the use of imagery. As an example, Shake Shack is one of the best because they have just 63 locations around the US. Compared to McDonald’s and their 36,000 locations, this is practically nothing, yet Shake Shack is 100 times more successful, according to Goldman Sachs, on Instagram.

Elsewhere on Instagram, there are profiles with hundreds of millions of followers just by posting beautifully-composed photos of dishes. With Shake Shack themselves, they earned a name for good-looking food which suggests a new trend in the market. Not only do we want our food to taste great, we want it to look great too, so this should be one of your focuses in 2017. Even if it means investing in higher-quality ingredients and foods that can be used to decorate the plate, this investment could just be what you need.

On your menus and other material the customer receives, make sure you encourage all guests to take pictures of their food and share it online. As their friends’ taste buds get going, they see the location of their friend and make a note to visit in the future. As well as taking pictures, get your visitors to follow your page and remember to post regular updates yourself. Whether you’re trying a new presentation for a dish or introducing a new dish, we make decisions with our eyes on social media platforms, so get your delicious food online.

3. Food Trucks

Although this one might sound strange, the mobile food industry is currently booming, and it has been for a number of years. Though, we’re talking about high-quality, healthy options rather than a greasy burger and chip van. As mentioned previously, people are looking to expand their palate, and mobile locations could be the way to provide them with more options.

With over $1.2 billion in revenue in 2016, this industry has grown nearly 13% within the past five years, so why not add a food truck that’s always on-the-go? In addition to providing the locals with an opportunity to enjoy your food now, you give them a taster of what you have to offer if they want to visit your restaurant later.

Before going ahead with this one, we advise performing some market research because not all cities are seeing this boost in the mobile food industry.

4. No Reservations

For those who have been in the industry for a number of decades, you might be a little hesitant to even continue reading this trend because reservations have been a staple for many years for restaurants. However, the no-show rate has been steadily increasing in recent years, and this means restaurants are closing off sections of their establishment for people who don’t even show, and this is inefficient.

As a result, many are changing to a first come, first served policy to fill up the tables and keep business booming. When people walk past and see the tables full, they immediately feel the need to visit in the future because this is social proof working first-hand. When customers walk in and there are no tables free, they’ll at least stay for a drink even if they don’t end up waiting for a table, and this is revenue you wouldn’t have had if you’d have rejected their phone call due to being ‘fully-booked’.

5. Interior Design

Next up, we refer you back to Instagram once again because more people are taking photos on their phones than ever before. In fact, the prediction for 2017 was 1.2 trillion pictures worldwide over the course of 12 months. For two reasons, you should improve the interior design in your restaurant and make sure everything looks fresh;

You want to create an atmosphere where people want to take photos.
You want people viewing the photos to wonder where the picture is taken because it looks so amazing.

6. Rewards

As we all know, repeat business is the key to success as a restauranteur, so more establishments are now offering special loyalty schemes for regular customers. According to a recent report, regular customers also spend an average of 67% more per visit, so allowing them to earn a free dish or a free glass of wine every now and then is the least you can do to keep hold of their custom. Luckily, technology is making loyalty programs easier, and some apps allow everything to be done digitally so you don’t need to worry about stamping cards or any other traditional methods of rewarding loyal customers.

7. Email List

Over the past few years, you might have heard a good amount regarding email lists, and this is for a good reason. By having an email list, you have a list of email addresses belonging to people who have shown some form of interest in your business. With email marketing offering a strong conversion rate, it shouldn’t be long before you see a return on your investment. According to a recent study, nearly two-thirds of us check emails daily, so a nice little email (or even a regular newsletter) could attract people to your restaurant.

If you manage to build a list of 1,000 email addresses, you need just 2% to take action after an email, and you have 20 extra tables visiting this evening. The more emails you have, the easier it’ll be to fill your restaurant each night.

Conclusion

In the year ahead as we move into 2018, why not utilize these key metrics and marketing trends? Sure, delicious food is important, but customers are looking for an experience these days, whether that comes from Instagram, loyalty programs, interior design, or even the chance to taste the food of a brand from a food truck. Once you include one or more of these tips into your marketing strategy, there’s no reason why you can’t push a little closer to success.