One way to increase restaurant revenue is to expand your focus beyond your brick and mortar location.  There are many entrepreneurs that are bringing their food to the masses without even having an established restaurant.  Owners should take notes from these businesses and look into different avenues to build brand awareness and attract a new customer base.  There are several options available to do so and your product and business model will determine which is best for you.  There are also things that can be done to expand your reach with little change to your overall business plan.  An initial investment will be needed to get things off the ground but the increased revenue and reach will positively affect your bottom line in the long run.  Here we’ve compiled 4 of the best ways to take your brand outside of your restaurant.

1. Street Food Cart

Street food has always been popular overseas and it is quickly gaining popularity in the United States.  A food cart is a comparatively inexpensive way to take your food to the streets and broaden your reach.  While a cart does not offer all of the amenities needed to create gourmet food it does provide you the ability to serve some of your more simple dishes in a convenient way.  A full menu is unlikely to be possible with a cart, but hand selecting some of your most popular and transportable dishes will make for an alluring outlet for street food enthusiasts.  You will want to research the best locations to set up while taking into account foot traffic, competition and demographics.

2. Food Truck

Food trucks have exploded on the east and west coast and are beginning to spread throughout the country.  Most of them offer a full scale kitchen which allows for more variety and foods that require complicated preparation.  It is possible to run a fully operational restaurant out of a food truck and their size and stature provide a rolling billboard for your business.  Food trucks can be expensive but compared with opening a second location they are very affordable and provide location flexibility.  Social media promotion will play a big part in the success of your food truck.  Many current food truck owners post their location to Facebook and Twitter to alert their customers. 

3. Festivals

Events can be a great money maker and can give your restaurant a ton of exposure.  Food festivals and competitions offer a chance to show off your menu in a highly competitive environment.  Placing in a contest can bring worldwide recognition for your restaurant and bring in droves of otherwise unreachable customers.  There are also other events such as concerts, local carnivals and holiday gatherings that offer the same time of exposure.  Many times the profits made at these events will only allow you to break even, but the marketing impact is where you will see the most benefit.  Meticulous preparation will be needed to ensure a smooth and successful venture.

4. Delivery

Many restaurants have warmed up to the idea of adding delivery to their distribution options and it is paying significant dividends.  Some people dislike eating in a restaurant or traveling to do so.  Offering delivery allows you to reach those that enjoy your food but are unlikely to visit your restaurant on a consistent basis.  Quality, speed and convenience are the primary objectives of any delivery service.  Providing online order options, guaranteed delivery times and food that is the same quality as it is in-house, will give you the greatest chance for success.  Branding your delivery vehicles will also help expand your reach and make your brand more recognizable.

Increasing restaurant revenue and reach of your brand are likely top priorities in your business plan.  While many restaurateurs would agree there are cases where cash flow can stunt your growth. A restaurant cash advance from Quikstone Capital Solutions can help your business respond to market shifts, grow and profit.  Quikstone Capital Solutions offers merchant cash advances to small business owners looking to grow and thrive into the future. 

For more information on a Merchant Cash Advance, simply click below.

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