5 Ways to Retain Customers
Provide great value and service. “Give the customer a great perception of value for his meal and provide outstanding, fast and friendly service,” says Tom “The Dough Doctor” Lehmann, a dough management consultant in Manhattan, Kansas. “There’s a lot to be said for being ‘down-home friendly.’”
Show appreciation and respect. “The best way to get a customer to come back is to make them feel appreciated and respected,” says Vanessa Maltin-Weisbrod, executive editor at Delight Gluten Free Magazine. “In terms of the community that I work with, a pizzeria that has employees who care about food allergies and are well-informed and offers safe practices will have customers for life.”
Make every guest feel like a star. “Make the customer feel important,” says Jonathan Porter, owner of Chicago Pizza Tours in Chicago. “Ask them if they live in the neighborhood or if they are visiting. Engage with them.”
Offer something unique. “A pizzeria that has average pizza but an excellent beer list could attract a customer base that’s excited about experiencing unique beverages,” says Jason Feirman, creator of IDreamofPizza.com. “Unique offerings don’t even have to be food-related; a family-oriented pizzeria could set up an air hockey table or other games in a back room, placing the focus on the overall experience.”
Show them the love! Scott Wiener, owner of Scott’s Pizza Tours says it best: “Customers come back when they feel loved.”
DIY Chalkboard Menus
If you want to try your hand at the popular chalkboard menu trend, it’s not as hard as it looks. You’ll just need a chalkboard, chalk, a ruler, a wash rag and a little patience. Here are a few general rules:
Always have a plan. Draw out your design on paper first. Once you know what you want, measure it out on your chalkboard before starting to draw.
Play around with different fonts. Check out font websites and books to find fonts that you like. Varying fonts and sizes can really make your board stand out.
Don’t be afraid to make a mistake. It might not be perfect the first go-around. That’s why you have a wash rag to touch up any misprints.
Get colorful. Black and white is great, but the menu boards that really stand out also integrate some color into them. Grab some color chalk and have some fun.
Start small. While 6’ chalkboard menus certainly make a statement, you probably want to start out with a countertop specials board when you’re just testing your skills. Work your way up to the full-wall menu.
TRY THIS!
Create menu specials based on popular TV shows that have captured the public’s imagination—think Game of Thrones or Orange Is the New Black. Millennials are particularly drawn to businesses that use humor in their marketing campaigns.
Marketing to Moms
For Mother’s Day (May 8), create a special mom-friendly brunch that pairs your specialty pizzas with the perfect wines, plus a complimentary dessert. For that extra- special touch, hand out pink roses to every mother who dines in your restaurant.
