The Art Of Attracting Students To Your Eatery Once School Begins

In our last blog, we alerted restaurant owners to the fact that a new school year will soon be underway. We encouraged them to come up with ways to devise a new back to school menu and even recommended setting up a space for students to do their homework. If you’re among the many amazing restaurateurs that provide customers with excellent meals within awesome confines, you’ll be interested in today’s blog too.

How can you attract students to your eatery once school begins?

Cater to after school snack cravings.

Who isn’t a little hungry at the end of a long school day? If your eatery offers after-school snack specials, it’s bound to boost revenue in the weeks to come. Consider offering protein-packed smoothies, fruit and yogurt parfaits, or veggie sticks with hummus. Advertise a special after-school discount or bundle to entice students to visit your establishment with their friends. You may also want to create shareable snack platters which are perfect for groups of friends.

“After school, middle and high school kids like to walk home with their friends, and they come to your restaurant in big groups,” notes Vanessa Lopez of Mad Mobile, “Handle these peak rushes the right way with a tableside ordering solution. With this, you can serve your customers faster and more efficiently whether in-line or at a table.”

Embrace the flavours of fall.

When September rolls around, it doesn’t just bring about a new school year. It also re-introduces us to the fall season. It’s wise for your restaurant to celebrate the changing of the seasons by offering dishes that incorporate ingredients like apples, pumpkin and cinnamon. Think apple cinnamon pancakes, pumpkin spice lattes or a harvest salad with roasted vegetables. Promote these specials as “fall favourites” and offer discounts to the student population.

“Fall is synonymous with comfort, so your menu should reflect that,” says Marlaina Lanese of Push Operations, “Incorporate hearty, warming dishes that provide a sense of coziness on cool evenings. Think of classics like a steaming bowl of homemade butternut squash soup, the rich and savoury aroma of a slow-cooked pot roast, or the decadence of a warm apple crisp with a scoop of vanilla ice cream.”

Offer grab-and-go options for busy families.

Of course, not every hungry student will have time to sit and dine in your restaurant after school. It’s smart to come up with a takeout menu catered to youngsters and their families. Introduce grab-and-go meal options like pre-packaged salads, sandwiches or family meal kits that can be picked up on the way home. These can include healthy and hearty options that are easy to reheat or eat on the go.

According to Zach Williams of RestoBiz, this idea works perfectly for lunch hour too. “Create a bagged school lunch package that’s relatively cheap, nutritious, and composed of some of your menu items, like a sandwich and some sides,” he recommends, “Kids in a hurry and busy parents will appreciate this option.”

Need some help attracting students to your eatery once school begins?

Contact Synergy Merchants to learn about how our unique merchant cash advance program can get you the funding you need to advertise your eatery! Please don’t hesitate to call us at 1-877-718-2026 or email us at info@synergymerchants.com. You can also apply online for a free, no obligation quote!