As 2024 gets set to roll into its second month, restaurant owners all over Canada are continuing to find ways to grow their sales. February, as you know, brings about an entirely new reason for people to want to support their local restaurants. Valentine’s Day is on the way! Keep in mind that customers will be choosing from dine-in experiences, takeout and delivery to celebrate the special day. Make sure your establishment offers all three in wonderful ways!
Here are four ways to make people fall in love with your eatery:
1. Post fun and engaging videos on social media.
In today’s social media-obsessed world, it’s always wise to share videos online. They often generate numerous views, comments and shares on such platforms as Facebook and especially Instagram. Film a fun video with members of your staff to promote your Valentine’s Day specials. Showcase both the sumptuous meals themselves and the welcoming atmosphere of your restaurant. It will help to lure visitors all throughout the month.
“Instagram users are spending an average of 28 minutes on the platform daily,” informs Hootsuite on Bingage.com, “Sharing reels on Instagram grab(s) more attention than a single image. Publish(ing) stories and reels (is) the best way to tell people what you are offering on Valentine’s Day. People, (e)specially youth, spend most of their time watching and making Instagram reels.”
2. Cater to cozy nights in.
Not every couple wants to celebrate Valentine’s Day at a restaurant. However, that doesn’t mean they want to spend any time cooking their own meals. Advertise your delivery and takeout specials to cater to those who wish to celebrate at home.
“For those who prefer to make it a ‘cozy night in,’ consider offering to-go menus they can prepare at home,” advises Stephanie Schalow on SevenRooms.com, “Choose items that are particularly well-suited to travel, or items where guests can add the finishing touch, like a chocolate dessert that just needs a quick 10 minutes in the oven.”
3. Inject the magic of music into your dining room.
The act of going to restaurants is about more than just finding something to eat. For many consumers, it’s all about fun experiences. With Valentine’s Day being such a special occasion, it’s worthwhile to make your restaurant a lively venue that day. As Bingage.com asks, is there anything better than listening to music while enjoying a meal?
“Combining two pleasures is a treat for your customers,” says the site, “People love live music. What you can do is find the right performers or band for your demographic. Promote the live event on social media (and) in-store by (creating) an eye-catching poster. Instruct (the musicians) to play for a client, on request.”
4. Make the pay-at-table process a quick and easy one.
Take advantage of the sleek dual-screen smart payment terminal from Unity Payments! Equipped with our POS solution, your restaurant can optimize the checkout process, increase customer satisfaction and loyalty, and ultimately, drive revenue growth. To learn all about it, please don’t hesitate to call us at 1-800-661-3761 or email us at info@unitypayments.ca.
