Marketing Basics

  • Is there an upside of inflation for restaurants?

    February 22, 2023
    Restaurants continue to struggle with food costs and labour shortages, but some experts are seeing inflation as a catalyst for positive change. David Hopkins, president of The Fifteen Group, sees the situation as a great opportunity for restaurants to tighten their operations and increase efficiency. Adjust pricing to address inflation “Restaurants have always had to face challenges ...
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  • Revenge dining: how Canadians are supporting their favourite restaurants

    December 21, 2022
    Canadians have been supporting their favourite restaurants more than ever this year, and some people are calling it “revenge dining.” According to OpenTable data, restaurants saw a 79 per cent increase in dining this year between January and October over last year, noting that meals between $41 and $65 per person were the most popular ...
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  • Fun promos to celebrate the New Year

    December 12, 2022
    By Mark Plumlee Ringing in the new year is the perfect occasion to treat your guests to a celebration, and as we welcome 2023, there are many different ways to make that happen. From events to deals, the new year presents a unique opportunities for restaurants to showcase their exciting offerings. Hosting New Year’s events doesn’t have ...
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  • 5 Christmas marketing ideas

    December 9, 2022
    By Megan Prevost Christmas is just around the corner, which means everyone is looking for that perfect present or special place to spend time with their loved ones. It also means it’s time to ramp up those holiday marketing campaigns! The happiest season is the busiest season, too, so you need to stand out from the ...
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  • Minimizing the effects of negative reviews on your restaurant

    December 2, 2022
    Negative reviews can hurt your reputation and affect your bottom line. While you can’t just delete the reviews you don’t like, there are ways that you can mitigate the effect they have on your business. Do reviews really matter? In short, yes. 85 per cent of customers treat reviews like they’re recommendations from friends and family, ...
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  • How helping your community this season can boost sales

    November 30, 2022
    As the holidays draw nearer and gatherings become more popular, a sense of community becomes even more important for your customers and for your business. While December is often a busy month with catering and parties, you can limit any lulls by hosting an event that helps your community. 77 per cent of consumers say that ...
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  • Can dynamic pricing work for your restaurant?

    November 4, 2022
    As Canadians continue to face inflation and the possibility of a recession, many restaurants are looking to recoup costs without abruptly raising menu prices. Dynamic pricing could be the answer. What is dynamic pricing? In simple terms, it’s the idea that prices fluctuate across the board on a schedule several times a year. While this still ...
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  • Boost your restaurant business with the after-work crowd

    November 1, 2022
    Restaurants need to constantly be on the lookout for creative ways to increase their guest counts and attract new clientele. With consumers craving social experiences and more employees heading back into the office, restaurants may be able to appeal to an after-work crowd to get more people through the doors. A recent survey found that diners ...
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  • Merchandising could help boost your restaurant’s brand

    October 11, 2022
    Are you looking for a new way to boost your restaurant’s brand and spread the word about your business? If you’ve already sent out flyers, partnered with other businesses, and marketed promos, maybe it’s time to try something new. Many restaurant chains are creating merchandise as a marketing tool. Tim Hortons partnered with Justin Bieber to ...
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  • What are customer profiles — and why should you build them?

    September 29, 2022
    By Mark Plumlee Knowing your customers is perhaps the most important part of running a successful small business. Knowing your target audience should inform every decision you make – your overall atmosphere, your menu, your marketing strategies, and beyond. Familiarity with your diners allows your business to provide them with the exact drinking or dining experience they ...
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  • Your menu pricing strategy can help your restaurant get ahead

    September 22, 2022
    As inflation continues to rise and labour shortages persist, it may be time to look at your menu pricing strategy as a way to cut costs and raise profits. As a restaurateur, you know it’s a balancing act to keep customers happy and stay in the green. Understanding how to create a menu pricing strategy can ...
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  • How to use design to make your restaurant stand out – part 3: marketing materials

    September 22, 2022
    By Megan Prevost Designing your restaurant to promote your unique, identifiable brand means looking at more than just artwork and lighting to make your restaurant stand out. You’ll want to ensure that anything that mentions or promotes your restaurant also portrays that stand-out branding. This means everything from the design of your business cards to your ...
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  • How to better understand customer experience (and why it matters)

    September 15, 2022
    By Austin Verner Customers are the lifeblood of any business, and that means delivering an exceptional customer experience is a must to keep your guests coming back. A study conducted by Thanx found that revenue was highly-concentrated among a small number of customers, with the top 25 per cent contributing 64 per cent of revenue. This is ...
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  • How to use design to make your restaurant stand out — part 2: restaurant atmosphere

    September 7, 2022
    By Megan Prevost While the design and content of your menu can certainly help your restaurant stand out, customers think about more than just food when they’re choosing a restaurant to dine at. Restaurant marketing professionals know that restaurants provide customers with an experience, not just dinner. Whether subconsciously or explicitly, diners select restaurants based on ...
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  • How to use design to make your restaurant stand out — part 1: food & menus

    August 22, 2022
    By Megan Prevost Even if your restaurant makes the world’s best food, it won’t survive without a solid marketing strategy in place. Most restaurant marketing experts know that customers aren’t simply seeking something to eat; they’re seeking an experience. If you want to create an experience at your restaurant, you’ll want to design and establish your ...
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