2017 has been a difficult year for many restaurants. The restaurant industry continues to change in many ways driven by the choices customers have. Many of the choices are facilitated by technology and the options it offers us to make decisions. Let’s take a closer look at just two ways in which technology has impacted consumer’s decisions.
Customer Reviews
With my smartphone I am able to do many things. As a frequent business traveler, I am always in new locations and looking for new places to try for a meal. Most restaurants have reviews spread across social media or search engines. Typically, Facebook and Yelp are where most of the reviews are. If I was in your town what would I see if I looked at review sites for restaurants? Many consumers have raised the bar and will only look at restaurants that have four 
stars or more. Do you know your rating? Have you looked closely at it to see what your strengths and weaknesses are? What is your ninety-day trend? Are you getting better or worse? Do your reviews attract new customers?
Online Ordering
Consumers want convenience! Are you offering it? The continued growth of online ordering has been a trend which millennials have embraced. From their home, they can order a meal and have it delivered from many restaurants. Third party delivery companies have grown at a tremendous rate filling this need. Many of our clients have seen online ordering sales double over the past six months with aggressive promoting of this service. It may not bring faces into your business, but they order and history shows the average check is higher. Are you in the game yet?
Just these two examples show ways in which your customer traffic is impacted in trying to acquire and retain customers. The business has changed and will continue to evolve. Are you embracing change or are you stuck in the mode of working in your business and not on your business?
With over 30 years of experience in the food industry, CORE Restaurant Marketing’s mission is helping restaurants improve their revenues. To learn more about how CORE Restaurant Marketing can bring value to the restaurant industry visit our website or give contact us at info@corerestaurantmarketing.com
Joe Welsh
Joe Welsh is a Partner with CORE Restaurant Marketing Solutions which is a national restaurant marketing agency focusing on helping restaurants improve their sales and profitability. Joe has worked with restaurants on a local and national basis. He has developed and implemented programs for US Foodservice, Gordon Foods and Performance Food Group. Joe has his Master’s Degree in Food Marketing from St. Joseph’s University and over 30 years’ experience in the Food Industry covering both the retail and foodservice sectors.
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