How Restaurant Owners Can Increase Revenue This Football Season

Posted by Karen Erdelac on Aug 17, 2017

How Restaurant Owners Can Increase Revenue This Football SeasonIs your restaurant ready for football season? When the leaves begin to fall and the first hint of cool air rushes in, you know it’s time for football. Small Business owners in the restaurant industry thrive by playing on the seasons. According to TV by the numbers, 64% of Americans watch NFL football, a large number that does not include the legions of college football fans around the country. ESPN is in the midst of a study to show how many people are choosing to view games outside of the home. Preliminary numbers show that 10-20% of American viewers watch at bars, restaurants and gyms. With these numbers being so large and continually increasing it’s an important customer base to cater to. Drawing in football fans can actually be quite easy, but there is a cost involved. Proper investments can bring considerable profits during the season and add to your regular customer base even when it ends.

Viewing Options

Without a doubt the top priority of fans seeking out a place to watch the game is viewing options. Successful bars and restaurants have invested in big screen televisions and projectors. Having enough sets to show each game on multiple screens is a sure way to bring in fans of all teams, Although, catering to a specific fan base has its advantages too. You’ll want to strongly consider a subscription TV service that allows you to show more than just the local games. Fans tend to scatter across the country. While you’ll want to have a focus on the local fan base, catering to out of town transplants is well worth the investment. When it comes to playoffs, bowl games and the Super Bowl you may want to consider taking it a step further with an outdoor projection screen. These can be purchased or rented and can provide a unique viewing experience for your customers. The ability to watch the big game on a theater-sized screen is an enormous draw.

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Home Team and Traditional Recipes

Just about anyone would agree that while watching a football game it’s important to have the proper culinary indulgences. Traditional foods such as chicken wings, nachos, peanuts and pretzels have become synonymous with watching football. Aside from these items, including local fare to your appetizer menu can make your game day experience unique. These appetizers also can provide a platform to introduce new flavors and menu items to your loyal following.

Outdoor Conveniences

How Restaurant Owners Can Increase Revenue This Football SeasonIf you have an outdoor space to your bar or restaurant it can provide you with a significant revenue source during football season. Many people prefer to watch the game outside as it provides an experience that is closer to actually being at the game. Comfort is of the utmost importance for your outdoor patrons. Since football season can come along with cold weather having outdoor space heaters are a must. These can be somewhat expensive but are also very efficient and durable. Proper seating is also important. While it can be expensive to provide comfortable outdoor furniture, it’s important to realize people will be watching for at least 3 hours to take in a game. The longer you can get them to stay, the more money they’ll spend.

Promotion and Branding

The lure of discounted appetizers and happy hour are a surefire way to draw in new customers. Specials such as buy one get one free appetizers and discounted beer can be more than enough to keep your patrons happy. You will want to weigh the numbers and ensure you’re still taking in a profit, but the volume of sales should more than make up for the discount. Some places take it as far as having a free buffet during the local games while channeling much of their profits from alcohol sales. Giving away small local team items such as key chains, beer koozies and pint glasses will make for a more memorable experience. It’s also a great opportunity to give away company branded items to expand your advertising reach.

Marketing and Advertising

Once you’ve decided to go all out to attract fans it’s time to get the word out. Utilizing your company website, social media and pay per click advertising can bring a serious boost to your brand. You’ll still want to employ traditional promotional tactics including flyers and print advertising. There are some steps you can take on your own to ramp up your marketing efforts, however, hiring an individual or an agency to handle the task will take some of the strain off of you as the owner.

Next Steps

Many restaurant owners recognize the need to draw in sports fans to increase their customer base. Developing a plan and executing it properly will come at a cost. Quikstone Capital Solutions (formerly Sterling Funding) provides cash for businesses and specializes in helping restaurants get started and continue to grow. If you’re looking for a quick and easy way to fund your improvements, consider a merchant cash advance from Quikstone Capital Solutions.

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Topics: Restaurant