Top 5 Business Hacks For Foodservice Success In 2022

KEY INSIGHTS

• Smart foodservice operators are proving their adaptability to changing times by diversifying their offering across as many platforms as possible
• It’s wise to utilise multiple social media channels to interact with customers as much as possible
• Now more than ever, it’s important to make your customers feel special and appreciated
• Most foodservice venues rely on local repeat business, so make sure you’re seen as a contributing part of the local community in which you operate

The past 18 months have seen an unprecedented amount of change for the foodservice marketplace. In this new age there’s you can no longer go with a ‘one size fits all’ approach – you need to be adaptive, to operate across multiple platforms and to provide your customers not just with a meal but with an overall experience.

So just what are the elements you need to stay on top in today’s highly competitive environment? Here are our top five business hacks for foodservice success:

1.     DIVERSIFY ACROSS MULTIPLE SERVICE PLATFORMS

The smart foodservice operators are proving their adaptability to changing times by diversifying their offering across as many platforms as possible. The days of running a dine-in restaurant with no online order platform or delivery service are all but gone. You need to also include takeaway, delivery, contactless ordering and more.

A separate menu for takeaway and delivery, which is a simplified version of your dine-in menu, is a good starting point. Be sure it includes meals which will travel well and reach the customer with their presentation intact. Being able to offer home delivery is also essential – and it’s easy to take advantage of the third party delivery platforms and drivers such as Uber Eats.

Online ordering and payment is also a must today as it not only offers customer convenience and removes the need to queue for payment, it also frees up staff to focus on providing greater personal attention when serving meals.

2.     YOUR ONLINE PRESENCE MUST BE MOBILE-FRIENDLY

With most customers ordering via their phones, your website needs to be optimised for mobile devices, with menus able to be scrolled across and read easily, and order buttons the right size for touchscreen use. The days of uploading a PDF of your menu are numbered.

It’s wise to utilise multiple social media channels, with Instagram and Facebook at the top of your list, and interact with customers as much as possible. You can generate customer engagement by posting meal photos, special deals and other promotional concepts online – and present a human face to your brand.

3.     CUSTOMERS WANT AN EXPERIENCE, NOT JUST A MEAL

This doesn’t just apply to dine-in – even home delivery customers these days are looking not just for a meal but a memorable experience. You can achieve this by adding little personal touches with your home delivery meals which not only enhance their presentation but give customers a feelgood experience – like handwritten thank you notes, reheating tips or even assembly advice to let them know how to ‘finish’ the meal prep prior to consuming the dish. A complimentary extra with the meal is also a nice touch which customers will remember and appreciate.

For those dining in, remember that many customers have been missing out on the whole experience of going to a restaurant or café for extended periods during lockdowns, and the social aspect of hospitality. Therefore, many are looking for that extra personal service – now more than ever, it’s important to make your customers feel special and appreciated. This can be difficult with the current staffing shortages, which is where contactless ordering can help by freeing up staff from mundane tasks.

Pay attention also to the overall ambience of the venue, including the décor and lighting, and the presentation of the staff, from their dress and grooming to the way they address customers. The more little touches you can get right, the more customers will appreciate it.

4.     PARTICIPATE IN THE LOCAL COMMUNITY

Most foodservice venues rely on local repeat business, so make sure you’re seen as a contributing part of the local community in which you operate. You can boost your community presence by participating in local street fairs, fetes, food festivals, school fundraisers and charity drives. You can even get together with other local food businesses to run joint discount offers as a means of generating more orders during quieter times of the week, which is a great way of encouraging new customers to try your week as well as building community cohesion.

Another way of boosting community awareness of your business is by offering any available function space for community events, or running a trivia night or other prize-winning competitions at your venue.

5.     USE MARKETING TOOLS TO BUILD YOUR CUSTOMER BASE

Rather than rely on the old tools of letterbox drops and local newspaper photo-ops, today you can run your own marketing campaigns via social media with minimal investment and maximum reach. You can also capitalise upon the many third party food blogs and online review sites by encouraging customers to post positive reviews if they’ve enjoyed their meal with you.

A customer loyalty program – which can be conducted these days via a phone app – is a great way to encourage repeat business. You can offer meal discounts or free entrée, dessert or drink with the purchase of a main meal.

Remember your satisfied customers are one of your chief marketing assets, in that they can spread the word about your food to their friends. A personal recommendation is often worth more than an online review, so reach out to customers and encourage them to ‘share their love’ for their favourite meals.

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