3-minute read ---

​As temperatures rise and the sun graces us with its warmth, the restaurant industry prepares for one of its busiest times of the year: the summer season. With tourists flocking in and locals seeking respite from the heat, eateries often find themselves inundated with diners seeking a delightful culinary experience. However, amidst the hustle and bustle, it's crucial for restaurants to not only attract new customers but also retain their loyal clientele. Here are some strategies to ensure your restaurant maintains its charm and keeps customers coming back for more during the busy summer months.

1. Consistency is Key
One of the most crucial aspects of retaining customers is consistency in service, food quality, and ambiance. Make sure your staff is well-trained and equipped to handle the summer rush efficiently. Consistency breeds trust and reliability, which are essential for fostering customer loyalty.

2. Personalized Service
In a crowded restaurant scene, personalized service can make all the difference. Train your staff to remember regular customers' preferences and greet them warmly upon arrival. Small gestures like remembering a favorite dish or offering a complimentary food or drink item to regular customers can go a long way in making customers feel valued and appreciated. Consider using the Aldelo Express Customer Profile module to easily reference order histories, special requests, and other preferences.

3. Streamlined Operations
Efficient operations are essential for delivering a seamless dining experience, especially during peak hours. Streamline your processes with customer-driven ordering via QR codes and/or self-service kiosks, kitchen display systems (KDS) and kitchen printers to optimize kitchen workflows, and other integrated cloud point-of-sale solutions to minimize wait times, synchronize operations, streamline staff communication, and ensure orders are delivered promptly.

4. Seasonal Menu Offerings
Embrace the flavors of summer by incorporating seasonal ingredients into your menu offerings. Highlight fresh, local produce and seafood to entice diners with vibrant and light dishes that complement the warm weather. Rotate your menu periodically, ideally digitally, to keep it exciting and encourage repeat visits from customers eager to try new offerings.

5. Create an Inviting Atmosphere
Your restaurant's ambiance plays a significant role in shaping the dining experience. Create an inviting atmosphere with outdoor seating, cheerful decor, and lively music to capture the essence of summer. Encourage customers to dine in by hosting and promoting creative events, celebrations, watch parties, or activities that help new customers discover your restaurant and provide a gathering place for regular customers to enjoy. Consider rewarding customers that bring a new diner to your business with an integrated Masa+ Loyalty program, enabling them to receive a discount on that day or for a future visit.

6. Engage with Customers Online
Leverage the power of social media and online platforms to engage with your customers and keep them informed about special promotions, events, and new menu items. Encourage customers to share their dining experiences on platforms like Instagram and Facebook, interact with them by responding to reviews and feedback, and even consider offering Loyalty/Rewards to customers who post photos of themselves dining at your restaurant and tag your business or use a unique hashtag in their photo description.

7. Loyalty Programs and Special Offers
Reward your loyal customers for their patronage by implementing a loyalty program that offers incentives such as discounts, freebies, or exclusive access to special events. Additionally, consider running summer-specific promotions such as happy hour deals, fixed price menus, or themed events to attract new customers and retain existing ones. Try using Masa+ Promo Cards to reward first-time visits, offer limited-time discounts, or incentivize enrollment in Masa+ Loyalty programs.

8. Solicit Feedback and Act on It
Encourage customers to provide feedback about their dining experience, whether through comment cards, online reviews, or surveys. Take their input seriously and use it to identify areas for improvement and address any issues promptly. Then communicate changes with your guests to show customers that their opinions matter and further demonstrate your commitment to customer-centric service.
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In conclusion, retaining customers during the busy summer season requires a combination of excellent service, enticing offerings, and a welcoming atmosphere. By focusing on consistency, personalization, and engagement, restaurants can create memorable dining experiences that keep customers coming back for more, ensuring a successful and thriving summer season.

Aldelo Express is a leading cloud point-of-sale platform that supports:

• E2E restaurant cloud point-of-sale software
• Masa+ Online Ordering, Payments, Loyalty, Promo Cards (smart coupons), Gift and eGift
• Multiple Aldelo Express AI Automation Services
• Digital Host and Reservation Modules
• Recipe and Inventory Management
• Digital Table Management
• Digital Kitchen Display Systems (KDS)
• Self-Service Kiosks
• Customer Displays
• and more!

​Learn more by contacting an Aldelo representative today at [email protected] or 925-621-2410

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​Restaurants that use ultra-competitive
Aldelo Pay or Aldelo Partner Merchant Services
obtain access to
a Centralized Multi-Store Restaurant Technology Platform
that includes Masa+ Online Ordering,
Unlimited Software Releases,
​Unlimited Software Upgrades, and 24/7 Technical Support!


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Please contact an Aldelo representative today for more details, 
including a free Aldelo Express POS demo trial

[email protected] | 877-639-8767 | [email protected]

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