4 Tips For Turning Your Small Restaurant Into A Juggernaut

Delicious eats, an inviting ambiance and excellent customer service – these are all the markings of a top-notch restaurant. If your local eatery has developed a great reputation, perhaps it’s time to take things to the next level. Expanding a small restaurant can be an exciting but challenging endeavour. However, with the right strategies and mindset, it can also be a smart move that leads to increased profits and brand recognition.

Here are four tips for turning your small restaurant into a juggernaut:

1. Identify what sets your establishment apart from others.

To gain a wider audience, you need to establish what makes your brand special. In other words, identify your unique selling proposition. Also known as USP, for short, this is the specific benefit that makes your business better than its competitors. So what is it? Whether it’s your signature dishes, exceptional customer service or unique decor, your USP will be a key to attracting customers to your new location or concept.

Gordon Food Service recommends that you determine what your competitors are doing to differentiate your restaurant. “You don’t want to position yourself as the family-friendly pizza parlour if somebody else in town has already staked that claim, says their website, “Unless they’re doing it badly, which can be an opening for you. Just avoid mentioning the competition by name; that can be more trouble than it’s worth.”

2. Devise a solid business plan.

A detailed business plan is essential for any expansion, no matter your industry. It should outline your goals, target market, marketing strategies, financial projections and operational plan. A well-thought-out business plan will not only help you secure financing but also serve as a roadmap for your expansion.

Saif Alnasur of Eat App reveals that a well-structured restaurant business plan typically consists of 11 key components. They are an executive summary, a company description, market analysis, a menu, employees, restaurant design, location, a market overview, a marketing plan, external help and a financial analysis.

3. Invest in marketing and promotion.

What’s a new restaurant location if no one knows about it? To attract customers to your new location, it’s vital that you invest in a new marketing and promotion strategy. This could include radio and television advertising, social media campaigns and in-store promotions. Consider offering special deals or discounts to encourage customers to visit your new location.

“Marketing for restaurants plays a crucial role in attracting and retaining customers in a highly competitive industry,” writes Lachlan Ross of Mandoe Media, “Restaurants can use various marketing strategies to increase their visibility and promote their brand. Effective marketing techniques may include creating engaging content on social media platforms, offering special promotions or discounts, optimizing their website for search engines, and utilizing online reservation platforms.”

4. Apply for a merchant cash advance.

Many small restaurant owners throughout Canada assume they will never be able to afford their plans to expand. This is where Synergy Merchants can help! Our unique merchant cash advance program can get you the funding you need within 24 hours, helping you to put your expansion plans into action right away! Contact us to get a free, no obligation quote today. Call 1-877-718-2026 or email info@synergymerchants.com. You can also apply online!