One of the best ways to attract more customers and keep them coming back to your restaurant is offering promotions. But if you don’t do it right, you could end up losing money or confusing your guests.
Do set clear goals, don’t offer promotions manually, do use social media to promote, don’t overwhelm customers, do reward loyal customers, and don’t ignore your promotion data.
We’ll understand why these dos and don’ts are important, and we’ll understand how these can help you maximise the effectiveness of your restaurant promotions.
Why Restaurant Promotions Matter
Promotions aren’t just about giving discounts—they help you bring in new customers, fill empty tables during slow hours, and reward loyal guests. According to a 2023 report by the National Restaurant Association, nearly 60% of diners say promotions influence where they choose to eat. That means a well-planned deal can directly boost your sales.
However, not all promotions work the same way. Some bring in crowds, while others barely make a difference. The key is knowing what works and what doesn’t.
Do Set Clear Goals
You shouldn’t just throw out random discounts and hope for the best. Instead, ask yourself- Who is this promotion for? (New customers, regulars, families, etc.), What do I want to achieve? (More weekday sales, higher average order value, etc.), How long should it run? (A weekend, a week, or a month?)
For example, if your restaurant is slow on Tuesday nights, a “Buy One, Get One Half-Off” deal can bring in more guests. If you want to reward regulars, a loyalty program works better than a one-time discount.
Don’t Offer Promotions Manually
Telling servers to mention discounts at the table or handing out paper coupons is slow and unreliable. You might forget to track who used the promotion, and customers may not even remember it exists.
Instead, use a restaurant POS system like EasyEat to automate promotions. With EasyEat, you can set up automatic discounts for specific groups (like students or first-time visitors), schedule happy hour deals that activate only during slow times, and track exactly how many people used each promotion.
This way, you save time and avoid mistakes while still getting more customers.
Do Use Social Media to Promote Your Deals
If people don’t know about your promotion, it won’t work. A 2023 study by HubSpot found that 70% of customers check social media before deciding where to eat. That means Instagram, Facebook, and TikTok are great places to share your food promotions.
Post high-quality photos of your dishes with clear details about the deal. Use hashtags like #RestaurantDeals or #LocalEats to reach more people.
Don’t Overwhelm Customers with Too Many Deals
Running multiple promotions at once can confuse customers. If you offer a “50% Off Appetizers” deal one day and a “Free Dessert with Entrée” deal the next, guests might wait for the next big discount instead of ordering at full price.
Stick to one or two strong promotions at a time. For example, run a weekend brunch special and a weekday happy hour, but don’t stack them. This keeps things simple and helps you measure which deals work best.
Do Reward Loyal Customers
Regular customers are your biggest asset. Research from Bain & Company shows that repeat diners spend 67% more than new customers. So, instead of only focusing on attracting new guests, reward the ones who keep coming back.
With EasyEat’s POS system, you can set up a loyalty program where customers earn points for every dollar spent. They can later redeem those points for free meals or discounts. The system tracks everything automatically, so you don’t have to manage it manually.
Don’t Ignore Your Promotion Data
If you don’t track how well your promotions perform, you won’t know which ones are worth repeating. EasyEat’s reporting tools show you:
How many people used each promotion?, Which discounts increased sales the most? The best days and times to run promotions.
This data helps you make smarter decisions so you stop wasting money on deals that don’t work.
Do Test Different Types of Promotions
Not every promotion will be a hit, so it’s good to experiment. Try different deals like Happy Hour Specials (Discounted drinks or appetizers during slow hours), Combo Meals (Bundle a burger, fries, and drink for a lower price), and Limited-Time Offers (Special dishes available only for a week). See what your customers respond to best, then focus on those promotions.
Don’t Forget to Train Your Staff
Your servers and cashiers should know about every promotion so they can explain it correctly. If a customer asks about a deal and your team doesn’t know, it creates a bad experience.
EasyEat’s POS system updates your menu and promotions in real time, so your staff always has the latest information. You can also print out simple cheat sheets with promotion details for quick reference.
Do Make Promotions Easy to Use
Customers shouldn’t have to jump through hoops to get a discount. If your promotion requires signing up for an app, make sure it’s a quick process. EasyEat lets customers scan a QR code to apply discounts instantly, making everything smooth and hassle-free.
Don’t Lose Money on Bad Promotions
Some restaurants offer deep discounts without checking the numbers and end up losing money. Before running any promotion, calculate:
The cost of ingredients for the discounted item, How many extra customers you need to break even, Whether the promotion will lead to repeat visits.
If a deal costs you more than it brings in, adjust it or try something else.
How EasyEat POS Makes Promotions Effortless
Managing restaurant promotions manually is time-consuming and messy. EasyEat’s POS system simplifies everything by letting you:
Create and schedule promotions in seconds, automatically apply discounts at checkout, and Track redemption rates in real time.
This means less stress for you and better deals for your customers.
