The Caterer - April 2007 - Restaurant Internet Marketing

“What can I do to boost trade in my restaurant on Monday and Tuesday nights?”

• Industry nights
  People that work in the hospitality sector don’t often get weekends off so are more likely to go out at the beginning week. Offer a special discount to staff that work in neighbouring bars, pubs and restaurants. Get one of your waiting staff to visit every bar/ pub/ restaurant and give them fliers printed from your computer. Being popular with the barstaff in the area will also have the knock on effect of being frequently recommended by them.
• Special offers / discounts
  Your potential customers are more sensitive to price on Mondays and Tuesdays as these are days that most people stay in. By offering special offers and discounts you will ensure that a lot more people will choose your restaurant in the early part of the week. The better the offer the more people it is likely to attract and of course once they sample the quality food then they will be become regular customers. Offers such as 3 courses for £15; 20% off the normal prices on Mondays and Tuesdays; 2 main courses for the price of 1, always prove popular.
• Senior citizen discount
  OAP’s are sensitive to prize and prefer not to go out at weekends when restaurants are busy. A senior citizen discount can be promoted by contacting bridge clubs, golf clubs and other organisations that have a large number of older people in their membership.
• Sports clubs / gyms
  If your restaurant is located near a gym or a sports club then offer their members some kind of discount. Monday and Tuesday nights are popular times for five a side football and other team games as well as going to the gym. A 10% or 20% discount to team or gym members will encourage those people to get rid of the large appetite from all that exercise.

Guy Holmes, Captivate Restaurants