9 Ways to Boost Restaurant Sales During the COVID-19 Pandemic

People are practicing social distancing, but they still have to eat, and restaurants like yours must adapt to the current situation with new strategies. The restaurant industry has temporarily transitioned to a takeout and delivery model during the COVID-19 era. Below are 8 actionable strategies that you can implement to boost sales during this time: 

1. Temporarily Lower Your Prices 

There are three main reasons you should lower your prices now. First, take out is a less valuable experience because your customers are not getting the full dine-in experience. Second, customers are becoming more careful with their spending due to layoffs and volatile investment portfolios. Lastly, lowering prices can motivate people to order more frequently and help gain new customers. To avoid devaluing your restaurant business, it’s important to inform your customers that the discounts you’re offering are only temporary and prices will increase in the future. 

2. Offer Incentives for Pickup 

Promote your pickup services on your website and social media for all orders placed directly through your restaurant, saving the cost of third-party services. To further incentivize customers to pickup their orders, you should consider adding a free, appetizer, drink or dessert to their order. This free item should be low-cost but high perceived value. 

3. Prompt Future Visits 

With each delivery or pickup order, it would be wise to include coupons that can be used for future dine-in visits. This will keep your restaurant top of mind once the pandemic is over and people are eating out again. 

4. Leverage Take Out Menu Boards 

Use digital menu boards in your take out area to dynamically showcase eye-catching promotions, helping you upsell and cross-sell your menu items with ease. Digital menus will reduce perceived wait time as your customers wait to pick up their orders at your restaurant’s take out area. 

5. Offer Bulk Meals 

You should offer customers the option to place bulk takeout and delivery orders. Inform customers that their bulk meals can be placed in the fridge or freezer and provide them with reheating instructions. This will help you get large orders to compensate for the loss of dine-in orders. 

6. Offer Gift Cards 

Although people may not want to eat out right now, many are searching for ways to support their favourite local restaurants. You should create a gift card program so your loyal customers can support your restaurant now and enjoy their dining experience at your restaurant once the COVID-19 pandemic is over. 

7. Offer No Contact Experience  

For both pickup and delivery orders, you can provide customers with a “no contact” experience by asking them to provide you with specific pickup and delivery instructions. For pickup, some people may be more comfortable with you placing the order on the hood of their car for curbside pickup. For delivery, some people may prefer you to ring the doorbell and leave the order outside.

8. Offer Free Kids’ Menu Item

Most schools are closed and kids are learning from home. You can increase your checkout amounts by offering a free kids’ menu item with the purchase of an adult meal. A parent is more likely to choose your restaurant if they can get a discount on their child’s meal.

9. Leverage Social Media Advertising

It’s more important than ever to leverage all your social media platforms to promote your restaurant. Keep your social media followers informed about daily or weekly promotions, signature menu items, best sellers, high margin items and more by posting engaging content on a daily basis. You can also drive sales buy running daily Facebook and Instagram ads to promote your restaurant’s take out and delivery services.