Just think about it: Will a customer be comfortable spending their money on a new restaurant that they haven’t heard of, or will they be comfortable spending money in a restaurant that has great brand value?
Most of the time, they always trust the brand value.
The restaurant industry is growing fast, and to thrive in this landscape, we must know how to formulate a good branding strategy for our restaurant.
Well, in this blog, we will discuss with you how you can formulate a branding strategy for your restaurant for the year 2024!
Let’s get started!
7 Proven Tips To Create A Successful Restaurant Branding Strategy
Here are some restaurant branding strategies to successfully establish your brand on the market.
1. Be Unique
Standing out from what others are doing can take you a long way in the restaurant business. So, it is very important that you do things a bit differently and uniquely from others. It might be providing a unique and special meal on your menu.
Define your restaurant concept- why is your brand different or better than the others? Because your concept is nothing but your brand in action, it should match your brand.
2. Know Your Customer
Customers are the king. To successfully run your restaurant business, you must build trust and loyalty with your customers. And to do that, you should know your customer well.
It takes a lot of time, thorough observation, and in-depth analysis to figure out who your customers are or if you haven’t opened yet, who you’d like them to be.
You can research and test different ideas to attract your customers. Initiate loyalty programs at regular intervals to create a customer base and appreciate your regular customers with deals & discounts.
Ask your customers about their preferences through surveys and act accordingly to please them.
And most important, you must take feedback and act on them. There is no better way t know your customers than by taking feedback from them about how they felt about the service and what the areas where you can improve.
3. Consistency In Service:
No matter how many efficient marketing campaigns you make, it’s always the service and the quality of food that will make you stand apart from others.
People will never forget the consistency in the taste of the dishes that you provide, the fast services that you offer, and the warm welcome that your employees greet the customers with.
So, it is very important to remember that beyond everything, always prioritize the uniqueness of your services.
4. Brand Statement
A brand statement summarizes the company’s goals and objectives. It basically defines the unique selling point (USP) of your restaurant, which sets it apart from other brands. Almost all activities, such as food, packaging, and delivery, revolve around the mission statement, which may be used to forge strong bonds with customers, stakeholders, and employees.
This brand statement can be in the form of a tagline as well. An eye-catching tagline that easily describes your company’s mission and value and establishes a distinct brand identity in the minds of your customers should be used. It reflects your brand’s target market, and you hold all copyrights to it.
For example, KFC uses its all-time famous tagline, ‘it’s finger-licking good’, which creates a clear image of the brand and mouth-watering delicacies in customers’ minds.
5. The Ambience
The primary elements that set apart a superb restaurant are good food, excellent service, and an awesome environment. A clean and visually pleasing ambiance will attract a huge number of customers. If the ambiance is appealing, the customer will tend to spend more time, which can directly increase the average order value.
You can work on these 3 categories to improve the ambiance of your place-
- The decor – Use the right color scheme because it sets the tone of your restaurant. Prefer warmer colors as it not only promote positive feelings but also increase my appetite. You can also go for neutral colors, it has a calming effect. Add a zing to your place with beautiful artwork, furniture, flowers, etc.
- Space – seating arrangements may seem beautiful from a distance, but you also need to put yourself in the shoes of the customer to understand their experience while sitting at different tables. Make sure your customers aren’t crammed or adjusting while dining. It is of utmost priority that the customers are comfortable and relaxed, for which spacing is as important as your restaurant menu.
- Lights – Lighting is the most important part of the ambiance. It amplifies the pleasantness of your restaurant.
6. Food
Restaurant branding is heavily influenced by the cuisine you provide. The authenticity of your restaurant is determined by the consistency of food quality and portion quantities. Excellent meal service can persuade your clients to visit your restaurant on a regular basis. Ingredients, dish names, meal presentation, and every other small detail should be consistent with the brand you plan to build.
Maintaining brand engagement is just as vital as establishing it, which is why food quality must remain consistent or even improve over time. Furthermore, every outlet should have the same flavor and experience.
7. Marketing Campaigns
No matter how good your food or restaurant service is, running marketing campaigns are essential for branding purposes. However, your marketing campaigns, whether online or traditional offline campaigns, must be on point.
Offline marketing campaigns for restaurants-
- Distribution of flyers around your locality
- Host themed parties on occasions
- Partner with local businesses for better reach & promotion
- Become a sponsor & take part in social and cultural events in the neighbourhood
Online marketing methods for your restaurant can be-
- Set up your restaurants on Google My Business page
- Set up personalized & automated email marketing
- Send birthday reminders with exciting deals & offers
- Start online reservations for a hassle-free experience
- Set up social media accounts and post relatable content to attract customers
- Local online ads
- Start customer loyalty programs & rewards
Building a successful brand in the market today takes months if not years. It’s as strategic as it gets when it comes to letting people know about your brand and developing a personality for your company that speaks for itself.
Spend time and thought on the elements of your restaurant outlined above, and you’ll have a strong brand.
Here’s where you can learn more about restaurant branding.
