Restaurants that have remained open have obviously seen a monumental increase in delivery and to-go orders, as this has been the only option. With many owners focusing their attention on what’s to come after things reopen, a big focus should be placed on maintaining your pick-up and delivery business. Here’s how to keep those orders rolling in.

Social Media Campaigns

“According to a Cornell University study, 59 percent of chain restaurants and 79 percent of independent restaurants use social media. It's a booming marketing tactic that over a few short years has helped restaurants gain greater brand recognition and attract new guests.” The number of restaurants using social media to market their business indicates two things. One, it has become an essential piece of restaurant marketing plans, and two, you’ll need to be creative to stand out from the competition. 

Focusing on a niche local market and using visual content such as videos and high-quality images will increase the effectiveness of your campaigns and ensure you’re getting the most out of your marketing dollars. Investing in paid social media ads is a great way to reach more of your target audience as you can refine these campaigns to go after specific demographics. Brand recognition is a major benefit of social media marketing, but you’ll also need to make your audience well aware of your pick-up and delivery services by offering promotional discounts and specials in your advertisements.

In-Store Signage

Advertising your pick-up and delivery services within your restaurant is a great way to make your current customers aware that you’re still offering them. Small signs that occupy high traffic areas in your restaurant are great places to put up signs and flyers advertising your services. You will also want to print up paper menus that can be taken home by your guests. This puts all of the information they need to make an order in the palm of their hand. Never underestimate the impact of a good sign. According to FedEx, “About 67% of the consumers surveyed said they had purchased a product or service because a sign caught their eye.”

Develop An App

“In 2016, 25% of consumers had at least 1 restaurant app on their phone. Consumers are using restaurant mobile apps to find a restaurant location, browse the menu, place orders for pick up or delivery, and even make reservations. Once they're at the restaurant, mobile devices let customers take photos, check in on social media, search for online deals, and even pay for their meal.”  Developing your own app will take an investment of time and money, but the business you gain from doing so can be well worth the cost. Giving your customers the ability to place orders without even having to open a web browser provides the most important aspect of restaurant operations today; convenience. It also eliminates the possibility they will choose a different restaurant while performing an online search.