HOW TO PREPARE YOUR RESTAURANT FOR A PROFITABLE SUMMER

By Kevin Bryla, Chief Marketing Officer & Head of Customer Experience, SpotOn

Winter months can be slow for restaurants due to various factors like inclement weather and post-holiday spending habits. However, as temperatures rise and the school year comes to a close, it's time to shift gears and start preparing your restaurant for a successful summer season. In this article, we will explore five key strategies to capitalize on summer crowds, boost profits, and streamline operations.

1 Embrace targeted summer marketing campaigns. To ensure your loyal customers and potential guests are aware of your restaurant's offerings, focus on targeted summer-themed marketing campaigns. Promote your summer menu, highlight your outdoor seating areas, advertise seasonal events, and provide essential information like operating hours and location. Utilize email marketing campaigns, consider purchasing radio spots, and leverage push notifications to reach your audience effectively. Furthermore, engage with your customers through social media platforms to expand your reach. »

2

Maximize outdoor seating options.

As people embrace the pleasant weather, capitalize on the opportunity by optimizing your outdoor seating space. Consider adding patio areas, rooftop seating, or even food trucks to maximize your seating capacity, attract new customers, and create a unique dining experience.

Take inspiration from Charlotte-based restaurant Santé. After incorporating their 20-person restaurant patio with their reservation system, they were able to increase reservations by 40%, boost annual revenue by 25%, and save up to seven hours a week on valuable reservation management. Plus, minimize cancellations and no-shows.

“Our patio space is another 50% of seating for our restaurant,” explains Adam Reed, chef and owner of Santé. “With our previous reservation software, people would get seated on the patio once the dining room was filled without being made aware they would be outside. The other option was taking patio space off our reservation platform. SpotOn Reserve has so much functionality within a reservation platform.”

4 Refresh your summer menu.

With changing customer preferences during the summer season, it's crucial to update your menu accordingly. Keep your menu exciting and attract new customers by incorporating seasonal dishes that align with current food trends. Start by reviewing your sales data from previous summers to identify popular items. Then focus on striking a balance between menu excitement and profitability.

5 Optimize staffing for success.

Ensure your restaurant is properly staffed by utilizing labor management tools such as SpotOn Teamwork. These tools provide insights into your busiest and slowest times, helping you optimize employee schedules, enhance communication, and streamline tip management and payroll processes. Overcome staffing shortages effectively and retain your staff throughout the summer by implementing these innovative technology solutions.

Don't miss the opportunity to turn summer crowds into profits for your restaurant. Whether you're considering adding a patio, investing in handheld devices, or launching targeted marketing campaigns, SpotOn offers comprehensive solutions to support your business growth.

3 Optimize restaurant technology.

Enhance the efficiency of your restaurant operations by optimizing your technology. Explore the following options to serve more guests, turn tables faster, and increase profitability:

• QR codes: Implement QR codes to allow guests to order and pay at their convenience, reducing waiting time and optimizing order flow. This feature also encourages repeat visits by enabling guests to earn and redeem loyalty points.

• Handheld devices: Equip your servers with handhelds to take orders and process payments efficiently, especially in outdoor seating areas.

• Online reservations and waitlisting: Utilize your reservation platform's features, including an easy-to-use standby list, two-way texting, and accurate wait times, to ensure your restaurant stays booked and busy throughout the summer.

• Invoicing: Simplify the process of sending invoices and accepting payments for private events and catering orders by using a Virtual Terminal. This flexibility adds an extra level of convenience to your business operations.

Visit SpotOn Capital to explore funding options or reach out to your local account executive for further information.