Is 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. 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 show more than just the local games. Fans tend to scatter across the country. While you’ll want to focus on the local fan base, catering to out-of-town transplants is well worth the investment.
Traditional And Home Team 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 on 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
If you have an outdoor space for 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 allows for 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, 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 is 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 making a profit, but the sales volume should more than makeup 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 an excellent 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 seriously boost 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 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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