May 2, 2012
Most restaurant owners that I meet share a common feeling about restaurant review sites such as Yelp or Trip Advisor. They are in denial about negative reviews. The usually say things such as the competition is posting negative reviews or that was just one unhappy customer.
Let’s look at the larger perspective. When you look at reviews over a period time, trends emerge. For the most part, the reviews are good. The negative reviews usually revolve around bland food, high prices or poor service. These are brand attributes that can be fixed by the restaurant owner. How often do you look at these reviews to notice trends?
Think of it from a consumer viewpoint. If you have a handful of negative reviews, does that entice consumers to visit your restaurant? Does it increase traffic to your restaurant? In the new world of digital marketing, this word of mouth advertising is magnified more than you can imagine. One bad review can reach hundreds of potential customers. This translates into revenue.
Can you control what is said over the internet? No, but you can work to minimize the negative reviews. Listen to your customers and understand what they are saying. Take corrective actions and reduce your one star reviews.
To find out what your brand reputation is, please contact us at 888-890-9492.
Like this:
Be the first to like this post.
Leave a Comment » | 
Four Walls Marketing, loyalty program, Restaurant Marketing, Server Training, Uncategorized, word of mouth marketing | Tagged: customer service, internet, loyalty programs, restaurant marketing, restaurants | 
Permalink
Posted by Core Restaurant Marketing
April 16, 2012
The first quarter of the year has ended and everybody is starting to look forward to the summer months. This could be good news or bad news depending on your location.
Have you taken a look at your first quarter results? Did they meet your expectations? The chains are posting good results for the most part. Increased traffic coupled with rising menu prices have led to increased revenue. They chains have been on top of their game by increasing menu prices to keep pace with rising commodity cost? Are the independents following the same practice? 
Across the country many independents are also concerned about rising gas prices and the impact it will have on their business. A very valid concern is this economic environment. One way to combat this issue is to step up your marketing program. Many independents still have not taken advantage of what Facebook can do for their business. This form of “referral marketing” is very inexpensive and can drive traffic to your restaurant. Developing an effective posting strategy can lead to viral marketing extending the reach of your message and creating sales.
OK, the first quarter is done and fine tuning your marketing plan for the balance of the year demands your attention. Take advantage of technology to help you create referrals, but take care of the basics by keeping your menu up to date. These activities will drive benefits for the rest of the year!
Like this:
Be the first to like this post.
Leave a Comment » | Community Fundraising, Four Walls Marketing, loyalty program, Menu Design, Menu engineering, Menu Marketing, Restaurant Marketing, Rewards Programs, word of mouth marketing | Tagged: community fundraising, internet, loyalty programs, menu engineering, menu marketing, menu printing, restaurant marketing, restaurants | Permalink
Posted by Core Restaurant Marketing
April 3, 2012
Here are some interesting Customer Loyalty benchmarks for you:
- Restaurants can expect a “regular” customer to buy 1.7 times per month.
- The average number of years a “regular” customer will visit a restaurant is 2.7 years
- A typical dissatisfied customer will tell 8-10 people. Those people will tell 5 more people. That means up to 60 potential people could be effected by just 1 bad customer experience.
- According to the National Restaurant Association, 46% of consumers say they would be more likely to patronize a restaurant more if it offered a rewards program.
I just figured out my lifetime value at a local place that I go to. Over a five-year span, my value to that restaurant is $21,000 in purchases and referrals.
All the more reason to create a great Guest Experience.
Like this:
One blogger likes this post.
2 Comments | Community Fundraising, Four Walls Marketing, loyalty program, Restaurant Marketing, Rewards Programs, Server Training, word of mouth marketing | Tagged: community fundraising, customer service, loyalty programs, menu marketing, restaurant marketing, restaurants | Permalink
Posted by Core Restaurant Marketing
April 2, 2012
During the past week I had the opportunity to meet with many restaurant owners to review how their business is going and what they are doing for the future. The conversations had one consistent theme.
For the most part the owners I had met with were so involved with the day to day management of their business that they were not aware of what is going on around them. A look at their menu which is the basis of profitability revealed that pricing was not keeping pace with inflation or even their competitors. Obvious room for improvement and profitability. 
On the marketing side, technology advances has created new opportunities to reach customers in ways that did not exist just two years ago. These new marketing tools are becoming major elements in aggressive marketing plans by major chains. Local search, customer engagement, loyalty programs are some of the basic tools needed to compete.
The point of the story is that it pays to get involvement from professionals who can help your business. A marketing analysis that was done for one of the clients last week showed an upside potential of over $200,000 based on his current average check and customer counts. The customers who see this shake their head because they don’t even know where to start to develop these programs.
It pays to work with people who can bring expertise to your business that you may not have. The ROI is there, the market is there. Do you want it?
What’s your time worth?
Like this:
Be the first to like this post.
Leave a Comment » | Community Fundraising, Four Walls Marketing, loyalty program, Menu Design, Menu Marketing, Restaurant Marketing, Rewards Programs, word of mouth marketing | Tagged: loyalty programs, menu, menu design, restaurant marketing, restaurants | Permalink
Posted by Core Restaurant Marketing
January 4, 2012
2012 is here. Are you ready?
The latest report from the NRA shows that commodity price increases will probably average about 5% this year. This is on top of the 5% increase last year. In addition to this, many states have instituted mandatory minimum wage increases. Let’s not forget that energy prices continue to rise. What will you do?
The chart to the right gives you a picture of what many chain accounts have in mind. 
Once again you will see price increases averaging 2% or more across the menu. For a $10 menu item, it looks like retails will be going up about $.25 cents.
Now is the time for action. Take the time to review your menu, do a pricing and popularity analysis to see what sells and delivers the profit for your restaurant. Eliminate the dogs and replace them with healthy items that consumers are looking for. Look into Value Meals to deliver true value to your customers.
Actions such as this can not only protect you from pricing increases, but also be a great restaurant marketing tool to boost sales. A properly designed menu can lift sales as much as 10%.
Let 2012 be a great year for you, the holidays are over and now it is time for the basic fundamentals of the business. Your menu is the marketing tool that every one of your customers touches. Let it work for you!
If you need help evaluating your menu, please contact us at 888-890-9492 x 101 for a “Free Menu Evaluation”
Like this:
Be the first to like this post.
2 Comments | Menu Design, Menu engineering, Menu Marketing, Restaurant Marketing | Tagged: menu, menu design, menu engineering, menu printing, restaurant marketing | Permalink
Posted by Core Restaurant Marketing
December 12, 2011
It’s the holiday season, people are going out to eat and your restaurant will be seeing new faces. That’s great. Did you ever think about your strategy for attracting new customers all year-long?
Part of your marketing plan for 2012 should be a strategy for getting and keeping new customers . What are you doing to increase trial at your restaurant? There are some of the basic strategies such as advertising in the local paper or coupon book, but have you considered about how getting involved with your local community can bring new faces to your restaurant?
Here is a strategy for you to consider. Have you though about how the local school can help you generate new traffic? Almost every organization out there has a need for additional funding. In the example of the local school, perhaps they are trying to raise funds for new playground equipment. By using a loyalty program that has a fundraising component you can tap into the power of the 
community to help them generate funds, and help you drive new traffic to your restaurant. This new traffic, since it is associated with a school, will bring you families with children which will help raise your check averages. The fact that you are helping the school with a small donation will also help to increase purchase frequency.
All great news. The fact that it is part of a loyalty program will also generate consumer data such as email address, birthday and other information to help you build an ongoing relationship with that consumer. Long term, this will help you build sales by being part of the community and building a relationship with your customer. What a great way to get new customers for your restaurant.
Like this:
Be the first to like this post.
2 Comments | Community Fundraising, loyalty program, Restaurant Marketing, Rewards Programs, word of mouth marketing | Tagged: community fundraising, loyalty programs, restaurant marketing, restaurants | Permalink
Posted by Core Restaurant Marketing
November 30, 2011
There is one month left in 2011. It’s been a rough year. Rising food cost, economic uncertainty and strong competition. Yes, it’s been a tough year.
What will make 2012 different? What will be your game changer? Have you given any thought to your restaurants marketing plan for 2012? With all of the pressures that are influencing your business, what will you be doing to improve the guest experience and drive revenue and profits higher.
Top Line sales is one component that is a must in 2012. How will you achieve that 10% increase in sales? Technology is changing the marketing game it seems almost everyday. What new strategies must you employ in addition to the basics that drive customer loyalty. Having a plan written down is the first step to your goal achievement. What happens each month sets the strategy for 2012.
Bottom line profits are the results of managing your operation. The good news is that commodity prices are expected to slow to a normal pace of 3% inflation for next year. Did you adjust your menu pricing to reflect the rising food cost last year? Many restaurants did not and have felt the impact on the bottom line. I would recommend a menu engineering analysis study to truly evaluate your menu profitability and consider what items may need to be delisted and new items added on. Healthy menu items are showing up on menus across the country and the consumers is choosing those items. These actions combined with a strong inventory management system can yield substantial profits to your operation.
I know you are busy running your operation and there are only so many hours in a day. The reality is, these management functions need to be done in these economic times. Consider getting outside help on a project basis to help you set the plan for restaurant marketing and operational improvements in 2012. The results are well worth the expense.
Like this:
Be the first to like this post.
4 Comments | Community Fundraising, Four Walls Marketing, loyalty program, Menu Design, Menu engineering, Menu Marketing, Restaurant Marketing | Tagged: menu engineering, menu marketing, restaurant marketing | Permalink
Posted by Core Restaurant Marketing
November 23, 2011
Have you harnessed the power of your local community?
Every day, restaurant owners across the country have people knocking on their doors looking for donations to support local causes. Those causes could be the local Little League team to a person looking to support a family member in need. How do you react to these people coming to your business?
The easy way is to tell them NO! The proactive approach would be to ask yourself this question. How can I help this local community member and their cause? Can this help my business as well? Tapping into the power of your local community is a great way to drive business for your restaurant. Studies have shown that 67% of consumers will support a local business who is engaged in helping the community. Is this strategy part of your marketing plan?
An effective community marketing plan is also the path to new customers. Every restaurant needs new customers on a daily basis to keep the business growing. The obvious goal is to create a fantastic guest experience that will turn first time guest into loyal customers.
Tap into the power of your local community and turn first time guest into loyal customers.
Like this:
Be the first to like this post.
11 Comments | Community Fundraising, Four Walls Marketing, loyalty program, Restaurant Marketing, Rewards Programs, word of mouth marketing | Tagged: community fundraising, loyalty programs, restaurant marketing | Permalink
Posted by Core Restaurant Marketing
February 17, 2011
Increasing your profits is the goal of any restaurant. In today’s market it is even tougher. Rising food cost, decreased customer counts and marketing programs like Groupon are impacting profits in many ways.
Food and Labor cost for the average restaurant comprise 55% of sales on average. For many restaurants, controlling those cost is the key to managing for success. A 10% improvement in those areas means a $40,000 drop right to the bottom line. But there is
another component to increasing profits, your marketing plan. For an average restaurant, a well thought out marketing plan can increase top line revenues by as much as 30%.
The combined efforts of both these strategies are what you want to implement to maximize your efforts. CORE Coaching can help you achieve these goals.
Like this:
Be the first to like this post.
Leave a Comment » | Four Walls Marketing, Menu engineering, Menu Marketing, Restaurant Marketing, Rewards Programs, Server Training | Permalink
Posted by Core Restaurant Marketing
February 2, 2011
Do you measure the results of your marketing efforts? Would an extra $250,000 in revenue impact your business?
What we have found is that most restaurant owners do not measure the results of their restaurant marketing, nor do they even know what the results could be. Understanding this fact has challenged us to create a financial calculator that helps restaurants owners identify the potential revenue returns of common restaurant marketing programs. Our calculator creates a customized report for your business based on the information you put in. On average we see the opportunity for restaurants to increase revenues by 30% using proven restaurant marketing strategies.
Take the challenge and find out for yourself. http://www.xpectresultsnow.com/analysis.php
Like this:
Be the first to like this post.
Leave a Comment » | Four Walls Marketing, Menu Design, Menu Marketing, Restaurant Marketing, Rewards Programs | Permalink
Posted by Core Restaurant Marketing
