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​As 2024 approaches, the world of dining and foodservice continues to rapidly change. With advancements in technology, shifts in consumer behavior, and new trends emerging every year, restaurants with an effective marketing plan are far more likely to stay ahead of their competition.

​Here's a guide to creating a robust restaurant marketing strategy for 2024.

​1. Understand Your Customer Base:
Before launching any marketing campaign, seek a better understanding of your customer base. What are their preferences, needs, and habits? Consider back-office sales reports to determine popular items, ingredients, and busy periods in each quarter.

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​​In today's increasingly eco-conscious world, the concept of sustainability is transcending traditional industries and becoming an integral part of customers’ daily lives. This trend is significantly apparent in the culinary world, where restaurants are adopting innovative practices that promote environmental responsibility. Let's dive into the world of sustainable dining and explore how locally sourced ingredients, zero-waste policies, and energy-efficient practices are transforming the way customers eat at local restaurants.

​For new restaurant operators entering the “zero-waste” space, local growers and existing restaurant participants are always eager to welcome new operators into the community, sharing how to effectively utilize a self-sustaining ecosystem of locally grown products for operating more efficiently.

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In recent years, the food industry has undergone a significant transformation, driven by changing consumer preferences and advancements in technology. Among the trends that have gained immense popularity and profitability are meal kits and prepared meals for sale at restaurants. These convenient and innovative offerings have revolutionized the way people experience dining, bringing a unique blend of home-cooked meals and restaurant-quality flavors to their tables.

The Emergence of Meal Kits and Prepared Meals:
Meal kits first emerged as a novel concept in the early 2010s, with just a handful of companies pioneering the trend. These kits typically contain pre-portioned ingredients and easy-to-follow recipes, enabling customers to prepare restaurant-style meals in the comfort of their homes. The convenience and culinary exploration they offer quickly resonated with busy individuals seeking to avoid grocery shopping and meal planning hassles.

As meal kits garnered traction, restaurants recognized the opportunity to tap into this growing market. Many establishments started offering their own meal kits, which featured signature dishes or gourmet options. This move allowed restaurants to market to a wider audience beyond their physical locations, attracting customers who craved their culinary experiences without the dine-in experience.

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​The holiday season is upon us, providing restaurant owners several opportunities to engage customers with holiday themed promotions and campaigns. In addition to Hannukah, Christmas, Kwanzaa, and New Year’s Eve, December is host to several festive ways to promote your restaurant’s products and services.

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​Creating a restaurant business plan in 2024 is not just about foreseeing the future of food and hospitality. It's about positioning your restaurant to thrive in a fast-evolving world. The upcoming year promises a range of shifts in consumer behavior, technology, and sustainability efforts. 

​Here's a step-by-step guide to help you position your restaurant to navigate the ever-changing landscape in 2024.

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​The holiday season is a bustling time for many businesses, including restaurants. While many customers celebrate by dining out more often, customers also look to spread extra cheer by giving restaurant gift cards to family, friends, and co-workers.

​Here are a few ways gift cards can guarantee immediate revenue and promote future sales for your restaurant this holiday season:

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​The festive season brings with it a flurry of excitement, celebrations, and of course, unique consumer expectations. As the end of the year approaches, restaurants can expect a change in customer behaviors and preferences. 

​Here's a look at some key customer trends and demands that restaurants should anticipate and prepare for this holiday season:

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In the United States, the month of November is most known for Thanksgiving Day. While it’s true that food-based Thanksgiving Day gatherings offer restaurants plenty of opportunity to promote their takeout, delivery, and menu options, November hosts multiple other “national days” ideal for restaurant marketing campaigns.

​Here are 7 ways, other than Thanksgiving Day, to market your restaurant in November 2023:

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As technology continues to innovate and transform the retail sector, savvy business owners are leveraging these advancements to streamline their operations, reduce errors, and boost profits. A critical development leading this technological shift is the use of customer-facing displays for Aldelo Express Point of Sale (POS) terminals. The integration of customer-facing displays not only enhances the customer's experience but can significantly benefit a business’s bottom line.

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A customer loyalty program can be a powerful tool for restaurants to increase sales by incentivizing customers to return and spend more money.

​Here are some ways in which restaurants can use loyalty programs to boost their sales:

Encourage Repeat Visits
By offering rewards for frequent visits or purchases, customers are more likely to return and spend more money. This can be especially effective for restaurants that offer a variety of menu options or that rotate seasonal menus, as customers may be motivated to try new dishes or come back to enjoy a favorite dish.

Increase Customer Spending
Loyalty programs can encourage customers to spend more money during each visit. For example, by offering a discount or reward for a minimum spend amount, customers may be more likely to order an extra dish or upgrade to a more expensive menu item. This can help increase the average ticket size and overall revenue for the restaurant.

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​The holiday season is a crucial time for many businesses, especially restaurants. The bustle of festive celebrations, family gatherings, and a general spirit of celebration sees dining establishments filled to the brim. In these demanding times, the efficiency and organization of a restaurant's operations can make a significant difference. Since their debut, Aldelo Express restaurant POS and Masa+ Online Ordering have become invaluable tools for restaurant operators during the busy holiday season. 

​Let's dive into how these platforms elevate a restaurant's holiday experience for both owners and customers alike.

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As the holiday season approaches, the spirit of giving and sharing joy becomes ever more prevalent. For restaurants, this time of the year presents a unique opportunity to leverage the power of gift cards. These little pieces of plastic hold immense value for both the recipients and the restaurants themselves.

​Here are some examples of why gift cards are crucial for restaurants during the holiday season:

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The holiday season is nearly here, meaning restaurant owners and staff will begin facing an influx of customers looking to celebrate with good food and company in a welcoming environment. To boost a restaurant’s reputation for high-quality services and support positive dining experiences, merchants must adequately prepare their staff and their operation for holiday crowds.

​Here are some invaluable tips to prepare your restaurant for the busy holiday season.
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Staffing and Training:

• Increase Your Workforce: Anticipate the need for additional hands. Hire temporary staff if necessary and start training them early.
• Refresher Courses: Even for your regular staff, consider a brief refresher training session, focusing on efficiency, customer service, and handling high-pressure situations.

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​As customers move back into school year and busy autumn routines, restaurants have several opportunities to attract new and existing guests with creative restaurant marketing campaigns. Here are a few ways restaurants and bars can attract customers in September 2023:

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​Gift cards have become increasingly popular over the years as a means of gifting for various occasions. They are a great option for consumers who may not know what to buy for someone or for those who want to give their loved ones the flexibility to choose their own gifts. However, gift cards can also be a valuable tool for businesses to increase sales and generate customer loyalty.

​Here are some ways businesses can use gift cards to drive sales:

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The impact of a technologically driven era has brought about dramatic shifts in consumer preferences and demands. Here are the top five trends sweeping the restaurant industry in 2023:

​1. Sustainability on the Menu
With environmental awareness at an all-time high, restaurants are embracing sustainability not just as a buzzword but as a crucial part of their business ethos. Especially compared to recent years, customers are witnessing a surge of locally sourced, organic, and plant-based offerings on restaurant menus. The zero-waste movement is another notable trend, with establishments devising creative methods to minimize waste, from root-to-stem cooking to repurposing leftovers in creative ways.

​2. Tech-Driven Dining Experiences
Technology continues to revolutionize the restaurant industry, providing seamless, personalized experiences for diners. Contactless ordering and payment systems, AI automation services, and digital menus are gaining popularity. Moreover, the rise of “smart kitchens”—using digital kitchen display systems devices for inventory management, order tracking, and streamlining operations—significantly enhances efficiency.

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August is a busy month. As the summer season comes to a close, customers return to regular school and work routines. For restaurant owners, however, the end of summer can mean slower foot traffic that results in fewer sales. However, business owners can use creative marketing campaigns to help customers transition from frequent in-person to incorporating takeout, delivery, and online ordering purchases into their autumn routines. When successful, these restaurants retain their summer customers and ease the impact to their Q3 bottom lines.

​Here are several ways to market your restaurant this August:

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In an era dominated by smartphones and touchscreens, customers are yearning for traditional ordering and dining experiences. While QR code digital menus, self-service kiosks, and online ordering have rapidly gained popularity in the last few years, many customers are finding a nostalgic charm and inherent benefits associated with ordering in-person with physical menus in one's hands.

​Here are some reasons why some customers choose to use physical menus over digital and QR code-based alternatives:

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​Restaurants are a staple of the modern dining experience. They provide a place to gather, socialize, and enjoy delicious food. However, owning a restaurant is not an easy task. Restaurants are notorious for being a high-risk business, with a high rate of failure. Here are some of the reasons why restaurants go out of business -- and how Aldelo Express helps operators succeed!

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​In today's digital age, where purchasing a new meal is just a few clicks away, ordering food online has become a staple part of our lifestyles. From modern “social media influencer marketing” to traditional billboards and online media campaigns, images play a crucial role in a business’s overall profits, shaping consumer choices and influencing daily purchasing decisions.

​Here are 4 essential roles images play in helping restaurants in gain and retain new customers:

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This June, restaurants are preparing to attract customers with Father’s Day specials, attracting customers with limited-time discounts, drawings and pools, free menu items, and loyalty/rewards campaigns. The National Basketball Association will be hosting the 2023 NBA Finals bracket competition, providing the ideal setting for watch parties and basketball themed promotions.

By encouraging customers to celebrate these simple and creative holidays at their restaurant, operators encourage new and existing customers to purchase food and drinks, sign up for a restaurant loyalty program, and buy gift cards that result in future visits.

​​Here are other ways to boost customer traffic this June 2023:

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May is just around the corner, bringing along several opportunities restaurant owners use to boost sales and increase customer engagement. By encouraging customers to celebrate these simple and creative holidays at their restaurant, operators encourage new and existing customers to purchase food and drinks, sign up for a restaurant loyalty program, and buy gift cards that result in future visits.

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Whether in person or online, QR codes are one of the easiest touch-free payment methods restaurants can offer customers today. Masa+, a native online ordering solution from Aldelo Express POS, supports QR code-based ordering, payments, gift cards, and more that business owners use to grow their customer base. As a native Aldelo Express solution offered to every Aldelo Express merchant at ZERO additional cost, Masa+ allows businesses to expand their restaurant services without paying third-party integration software fees or purchasing separate hardware.

Whether placed on table tent cards, counter stickers, window decals, floor stickers, or other signage throughout the restaurant premises, Masa+ QR Codes help businesses to streamline operations, reduce customer wait times, and increase customer satisfaction for customers dining indoors or enjoying an outdoor dining environment.

​Here are 3 ways to grow your customer base this spring using Masa+ QR codes: