Improving your food sales is one of the most direct methods for increasing the profitability of your restaurant. More food sold means more cash in the registers and less wasted product. There are a number of ways in which to increase your restaurant's food sales, but a few are very simple to implement and should show immediate positive results.
Improve Your Product
All the marketing in the world will not help you if customers come into your restaurant and your food is bland, boring or bad. Work with your chef to create some signature dishes that people can only get at your restaurant and try to make your food better than the competition. Good food sells itself, and if you can impress your customers, you will be building the potential for repeat business. Conduct a full menu review and dump the unpopular items to make room for more interesting fare.
Train Your Servers to Sell
The server is the face of your restaurant. Servers interact with your customers more than any other member of your staff. Set sales goals for your serving staff and coach them on ways to increase their individual food sales. Servers with high food sales will earn greater tips, so this should be an easy path to take.
Improve Your Presentation
People do not just go to a restaurant for the food, they go for the experience. This is why so many theme restaurants experience success. You do not have to turn your restaurant into a 50s diner or family playground to improve your sales, but you should work with servers, chefs, and bartenders to improve the presentation of your food. Fajitas should be served sizzling, chips should always be hot, drinks should be in interesting and attractive glassware, and food should be served with flair. Better presentation makes your restaurant look nicer, solidifies its identity and improves repeat business.
Participate in the Community
Getting your restaurant's name out there is an important step in building business and increasing food sales. Sponsor a local youth sports team. When people see your restaurant contributing to their community, they will have a more positive opinion of your establishment. If you find an opportunity to put your name on something positive near you, consider the potential payoff.
