Superior Menus

Make the Most of Social Media

2012-02-22T13:58:00.000-08:00

Are you utilizing Social Media for your marketing strategies or shying away from all things "trendy"?
It once seemed that social media was going to be a flash in the pan for the restaurant and hospilitality industries, but consumers are saying it isn't so.

Look at it this way;
If your customers are using it...you should be too!

What's a better way to advertise via "word of mouth" than a Like on a Facebook page or a follow on Twitter? Building a Facebook page for your business is fairly easy and best of all, free! Set up your menu, hours of operation and even add a map. Update Happy Hour Specials, special attractions and seasonal fair in no time at all!

You may not see the value in this free marketing but trust me... restaurant owners didn't think Yelp would catch on until they got a bad review and it spread quickly. I don't say that to scare you because honestly you can't have all good reviews and if you value customer feedback and use it as an agent of change it can be a good thing.

We at Superior Menus understand "new" can be scary and in this industry you need to prove out the return for your money before investing. Marketing via Social and Mobile media is a fast inexpensive way to connect with customers with a method they are using every day.

Superior Menus will be offering QR codes as a service for our customers.Use this easy mobile marketing tool that is maintenance free! Look for QR codes coming in March!

February Blog Offer of the Month

2012-02-07T13:03:00.000-08:00

We are so excited for Valentines Day! We would love to pass on a saving to you our beloved customer!

Save 10% off any order the ENTIRE month of February!

Please use this priority code when placing your order SMFEBBLG to receive your discount!

Super Bowl Sales

2012-01-25T13:17:00.000-08:00

Preparing for the big day?!
It can be as easy as offering a take-out version of your menu!

Research shows 1 in 8 Americans order takeout/delivery for Superbowl Sunday!

(according to a National Restaurant Association article)

Make sure you are offering your customers dining out options for increased sales opportunities.

Optimize your appetizer sales opportunities for your dine- in customers by offering a buy 1 get 1 special during the game.

Offer your more expensive apptizers as the buy 1 of the deal and your more profitable cheaper appetizer items as the get 1 part of the deal.

We wish you full seats and increases sales!

Gift Certificates Boost Holiday Sales!

2011-12-01T08:24:00.000-08:00

DECEMBER BLOG SPECIAL Offer Gift Certificates and Boost Sales!
The upcoming holidays are the perfect opportunity to increase sales and gain new customers!
We are offering a special for the month of December only -
Save $10 on any Gift Certificate of $100 or more.
Use Priority Code SMDECBLG to receive your discount.
(this offer is not valid on previous purchases or with other discounts)

Shop Now http://www.superiormenus.com/Gift-Certificates/index.cat

Nation's Restaurant News offers this article - http://goo.gl/GfsSw

Loyalty Cards & Incentive Programs

2011-11-08T13:14:00.000-08:00

Do you shy away from offering loyalty cards or incentive programs? Does the "discount diner" scare you?
When faced with uncertain economic times, customers do tend to look for a discount or coupon. Try not to let this cost conscious customer keep you from adding a loyalty or incentive program.

There are many pro's to offering this type of deal rather than a typical coupon:
1. With a Loyalty Punch Card-you are encouraging the customer to return or revist numerous times before the discount is given.
2. You are incouraging new business. Let's face it attracting new customers via tradition marketing can be costly. By offering a program, word of mouth may do your costly marketing for you. People love to share a "deal."
3. You can integrate a loyalty program on your website and encourage diner's to sign up for email updates. Emailing customers is a great way to send out offers and it's inexpensive!
4. Offer kids incentives increases the overall check total. My kids often get free pizza, kids' meal or dessert coupons for their accomplishments at school. They are so excited to celebrate and the whole family eats out. The cost of a typical kids meal = $4.99 and our family of 6 usually spends about $80 eating out.

Loyalty Cards are just what the name implies! Don't be scared of attracting the discount diva by offering deals. We all know there are those customers out there but the added sales should make up for the few bad diners!

We wish you full tables!
Superior Menus

National Food Safety Education Month

2011-09-27T07:17:00.000-07:00

Heading into fall is a great time to have a whole month focused on Food Safety and Lessons Learned from Health Inspections. Be sure to take advantage of the last week of free training activities, PDF downloads and print outs. The Do's & Don'ts will help ensure that your food handlers and wait staff are using the proper proceedures and techniques at your business.
Check it out here: http://www.servsafe.com/NFSEM/

We wish you and your business success!

Top 4- Do's & Don'ts of the Dining Room

2011-09-16T14:30:00.000-07:00

Recently I was in line at a favorite fast casual restaurant preparing to order. My experience led me to think what are the dining room do's & don'ts that influence a diners experience.

1. Music- the customer behind me was pratically yelling in my ear so that her order could be heard and fufilled. Does your establishment play music? It's a great way to set the mood and studies show certain types of music can influence shoppers. If you do play music make sure the speakers aren't blasting directly at certain tables in the dining area or turn the volume down. No one wants to shout to be heard. If I wanted that I would stay home and listen to my kids joyfully outshout each other to share the day's experiences at our dinner table.

2. Fans & Drafts- if you have ceiling fans or (believe it or not I have been in places with) floor fans in the dining room, make sure they aren't blowing too strongly or directly on the customers. If your restaurant has windows and you live in a state with snowstorms in the winter or temps below 70 degrees, check for drafts, add shades or curtains to help cut down on cold drafts.

3. Mood lighting- Depending on your dining rooms ambiance, lightening can enhance the dining experience. Soft candles are great at night, just make sure you kept them lit. Light fixtures can make a statement in your dining room or be background lighting. Lastly make sure you routinely dust and clean them, a dusty light fixture hanging over your table or plate, is not enticing.

4. Dirty or non-available tables- this one is a given, I know. You want to turn your tables to insure that you are getting the most customers seated & served as possible. But let's face it, sometimes you are short staffed or you don't employ a buser. Dirty tables are not appetizing, so make sure the wait staff is clearing each course as the meal progresses. Save's everyone time.

I know this is a list that could go on but remember if you put yourself in your customers shoes you may make a few changes that could make a difference. Unfortunately bad experiences travel fast in this era of social media and good reviews or "LIKES" are like gold. Diners have unlimited choices and more often than not a limited budget. Enhance the dining experience for them and keep them coming back.

As always, we love to hear your thoughts and comments! Superior Menus

New BLOG address

2011-09-16T12:04:00.000-07:00

We apologize for any confusion or inconvience to our readers & subscribers... we had to switch blog URL's. We are back & hopefully you can still find us. We will be publishing posts soon!