9 Proven Ways to Increase Restaurant Foot Traffic

By now, we’re no strangers to concepts like TikTok followers, likes, and social media metrics. With all this tech talk floating around us, it can be easy to lose sight of every restaurant’s ultimate goal: putting butts in seats. All the online activity in the world is for naught if it doesn’t increase traffic and grow a local customer base. Let’s go back to basics and look at nine proven ways to increase restaurant traffic.

1. Enhance your curb appeal

They say you’re not supposed to judge a book by its cover. But if the outside of your establishment is dirty, dingy, and uninviting, potential customers will surely give your restaurant little more than a skeptical glance.

70% of first-time sales are influenced by curb appeal, so you should ensure your restaurant’s exterior looks welcoming and professional. Start by investing in an attractive exterior design that reflects your restaurant’s brand.

Vibrant colors, clean windows, and well-maintained signage can turn heads from a mile away. In fact, prominent, bright signage is one of the best restaurant advertising ideas to implement since it can immediately grab potential diners’ attention.

Additionally, string lights, seasonal decorations, and outdoor seating areas can create a welcoming atmosphere that encourages passersby to stop in. Keep in mind that continuity matters, so make sure to maintain your restaurant’s desired look both inside and out.

2. Post on your website and social media regularly

Your digital storefronts (your website and social media accounts) can drive foot traffic to your brick-and-mortar restaurant by posting about your latest offerings and promotions.

Keep your website mobile-friendly since 80% of customers use their phones to search for restaurants. A site that looks good and works well on mobile devices will excite them to try your dishes more.

Use relevant keywords and hashtags every time you post about your restaurant. This helps potential diners discover your brand more easily online.

Create engaging content that tells a story about what makes your restaurant unique. Don’t forget to include location-based hashtags to expand your digital reach and attract more curious customers who might want to visit your establishment.

3. SPECIALize

Think for a moment about the kinds of associations you want customers to make with your brand. If your specialty is wings, why not market a weekly wing special? If you want to create a fun-loving, energetic atmosphere, why not invest in a trivia or karaoke night?

These kinds of weekly specials will spread like wildfire, particularly if you encourage customers to post about their experiences on social media. They will also help build a loyal weekly following.

The key is to create an experience that goes beyond just food. You transform your restaurant from a mere dining spot to a destination by specializing in something unique.

4. Set up an online ordering and reservations system

Two deterrents to the dining experience are waiting in the queue and wondering if a table will be available. An online ordering system can remove these barriers and make eating at your restaurant more convenient and, thus, more enjoyable.

Customers want the ability to book a table in advance or order takeout with just a few clicks. The average value of online orders is 30% higher than those done through phone or over-the-counter.

Integrating reservation systems like SevenRooms can further boost your restaurant’s foot traffic. These platforms make it simple for customers to book tables online, which minimizes wait times.

These tools also collect valuable data on customer preferences and peak dining times. You can then use this information to tailor your marketing efforts. For instance, you can offer targeted promotions during slower times to attract more customers and balance the restaurant traffic throughout the day.

5. Optimize for local searches

With 46% of Google searches consisting of people looking for local information, you should have a proper local restaurant marketing strategy. By targeting keywords like “restaurants near me” or “[your city] best dining,” you increase the chances of appearing in the search results of hungry diners in your area.

Make sure you’ve claimed your Google Business Profile. When you search, have you ever noticed those little map listings with restaurant details? You can get featured on those with your Google Business Profile.

Search your restaurant on Google and check the information box (aka Knowledge Panel) at the right side of the page. If there’s an “Own this business?” link, click on it and follow the instructions to claim your profile.

Optimize your Google Business Profile by adding phrases that people in your area are likely to search for, such as “best Italian restaurant in California” or “family-friendly dining in [Your City].” This will help search engines understand where your restaurant is located and what you offer.

Encouraging online reviews on Google, Yelp, and TripAdvisor is another important part of local SEO. Ask happy customers to leave reviews on these platforms to build trust and improve your restaurant’s visibility in search results.

Check that your restaurant’s Name, Address, and Phone number (NAP) are consistent across all online platforms. Consistency helps search engines verify your business information and improves local search rankings.

6. Offer regular discounts and promotions

Everybody loves discounts and promos. Running a promotion and offering attractive deals can entice as much as 51% of diners to try your restaurant, letting you increase restaurant sales easily.

Happy hour deals are a great way to reel in customers during typically slower periods. For example, a 2-for-1 drink special or half-priced appetizers can entice more people to visit your restaurant after work.

Creating a loyalty program is another effective way to encourage repeat visits and build a loyal customer base. Rewarding your customers with points or discounts for every visit motivates them to choose your restaurant over others.

Starbucks’ Rewards program is a prime example of how you can drive customer loyalty through personalized incentives. Their mobile app lets users track points and allows for easy ordering.

Nonetheless, a loyalty program doesn’t have to be that complicated. A simple punch card promising a reward after a certain number of visits can be highly effective. Consider offering a free dessert or appetizer after a customer’s fifth visit, or create a digital version of this concept through your restaurant’s mobile app.

The goal is to make customers feel valued and incentivize them to return. This way, you turn occasional diners into regular patrons who enjoy your food and feel connected to your restaurant’s brand and experience.

7. Hand out flyers

Don’t underestimate the power of traditional marketing methods like flyers. With eye-catching materials and strategic distribution, you can attract more people to your restaurant.

Start by designing visually appealing flyers that highlight your restaurant’s unique offerings. Use bright colors, clear images of your best dishes, and easy-to-read fonts to grab attention. Make sure to include your restaurant’s name, address, and contact information prominently.

Next, focus on distributing flyers in strategic locations. Hand them out in nearby neighborhoods, community centers, and high-traffic areas like shopping malls or busy streets. You can also leave flyers at local businesses that complement your restaurant, such as gyms, bookstores, or offices.

Boost your flyer’s effectiveness by promoting special offers, like first-time customer discounts or buy-one-get-one-free deals, to entice people to try your restaurant. 33% of customers hold onto flyers with exclusive deals for potential savings.

8. Partner with nearby businesses

Maybe your restaurant is tucked away in a quiet corner of your city, or you’ve only recently launched your brand. No matter the circumstance, getting involved in the community to showcase your quality product will set the stage for future visitors.

Cross-promotion with fellow business owners will establish and maintain a positive rapport with your business contacts and open up the opportunity to tap into new markets you may not have reached otherwise.

For example, you can partner with local theaters, gyms, or shops to create joint marketing efforts. If a nearby theater is showing a popular movie, you can offer a discount to customers who show their movie tickets at your restaurant.

Similarly, partner with a local gym to provide healthy meal options for their members at a special rate.

Another way to partner with nearby businesses is by offering mutual advertising opportunities. Share promotional materials like flyers, brochures, or banners with your partners and display each other’s materials in your locations.

A coffee shop next to your restaurant can display your lunch specials while you promote their morning coffee deals to your diners. This expands your reach within the community without additional costs.

9. Make the customer connection

As I alluded to in my introduction, personalization positively influences purchasing. Engaging with your customers through social media and incentives such as birthday clubs, customer loyalty programs, and other in-person discount offers will entice them to make your establishment their hangout spot of choice.

Oh, and once they’re in the doors? Make sure to dazzle your customers with the quality customer service that will keep them returning for more.

Conduct thorough restaurant staff training, especially for customer service that prioritizes warmth, attentiveness, and genuine care. It might seem obvious to equip servers and hostesses with knowledge of how to interact with customers, but 70% of food and beverage industry employees haven’t received customer service training.

Teach them to greet customers with a smile and listen actively to their needs. You should also encourage them to remember regular customers’ names and preferences to give the dining experience a personal and welcoming touch.

Bring in more restaurant traffic today

There are many traditional and digital marketing strategies to boost your restaurant’s foot traffic. Focus on creating an atmosphere that makes guests feel special from the moment they walk into the last bite of their meal. The goal is to turn first-time visitors into loyal patrons through personalized interactions and outstanding dishes.

Then, once your customers are seated, make sure you dazzle them with exceptional service and memorable dining experiences.

Keep your restaurant operations smooth and efficient with 7shifts. With its advanced scheduling features, you’ll always have the right number of staff on every shift as more and more people try what your restaurant has to offer.