Welcome to 2025! On behalf of the entire Unity Payments team, we hope you had your happiest holiday season yet. We also hope that this New Year brings you immense success and continued joy. If you’re a restaurant owner, you might be pretty excited about the new opportunities that await you. The restaurant industry is ever-evolving. In 2025, you’ll want to take advantage of the technological advancements that can help you stay ahead of your competition.
What are your plans to turn up the heat in your eatery as the New Year begins?
Enhance your digital dining experiences.
Surely, you’re aware that modern consumers aren’t just on the hunt for delicious eats. They expect eateries to provide them with convenience, efficiency and seamless digital experiences. Do you enable your customers to order their meals online? Your online menu should showcase your dishes, give access to your delivery options and allow customers to pay for their meals in one fell swoop. Add a QR code to all of your marketing materials to make it easy for customers to access your online menu.
“According to a study by OpenTable, 93 percent of people check online menus before visiting a restaurant,” reports Popmenu, “Having an accurate, up-to-date menu on your website is crucial for attracting guests - most will skip a restaurant if they can't find its menu online before going out to eat.”
Diversify your revenue streams.
Does your restaurant offer dine-in and takeout experiences only? In 2025, it’s time to step things up! By exploring new revenue opportunities, you can stabilize your income year-round. We’re talking about offering catering services, for example. By catering sporting events, weddings or corporate meetings, your establishment’s profits can skyrocket. Have you considered selling branded merchandise? Create bigger fans and secure more word-of-mouth promotion by selling branded sauces, spices or kitchen tools. Why not sell t-shirts bearing your restaurant’s name too?
“Selling merchandise in restaurants and cafes can provide a supplemental revenue source for businesses in the restaurant industry,” agrees Lands’ End Business, “Branded promotional products, such as custom logo mugs, company hats, and uniform T-shirts, are a fun and familiar way to increase profits while also connecting with your customer base.”
Become a social media superstar.
You don’t necessarily need to make daily videos to promote your restaurant in 2025. However, it will be important to build an authentic online presence to remain competitive this year. Start off with creating visually appealing dishes that are perfect for Instagram photos. As well, show how your dishes are made through inventive videos. People love watching behind-the-scenes content! Also, get in touch with food bloggers and social media influencers to generate reviews for your dishes.
“According to Social Media Today, 30 percent of millennial diners actively avoid restaurants with a weak Instagram presence,” reports Kendal Austin of Toast, “The power Instagram has on consumers’ purchasing behaviour is continuously growing. This means that your business’s Instagram is just as important as your website. Some important aspects of your Instagram are your bio, account setup preferences, and aesthetic.”
Partner with Unity Payments!
At Unity Payments, we provide advanced payment terminals that are tailored to meet the unique needs of Canadian restaurants. Let us help you streamline your operations and improve your customer experience! Please don’t hesitate to call us at 1-800-661-3761 or email us at info@unitypayments.ca to learn more about how we can support your restaurant’s growth in 2025.
