The restaurant sector has the potential to become one of the most lucrative and stable industries for any local entrepreneur. However, you can only enjoy the sweet taste of success if you gain a steady flow of visitors.
Attracting families is naturally one of the best ways to maximize revenue as it means securing a lot of group bookings. So, learning how to appeal to this demographic is essential. Above all else, you need to resonate with parents as they are in charge of the booking. Here’s how you
can prove that your restaurant is the right choice.
#1. Do More With Your Online Marketing Strategy
Restaurants can gain a lot of passing traffic. However, families that go out to eat often do it for special occasions like birthdays. As such, families will pre-book a table based on the findings of their research. For many parents, that research takes place online after the kids have gone to bed. As such, your digital marketing strategy needs attention.
A strong SEO presence will certainly help as many people will search for “family-friendly restaurants in [location]”. When supported by a well-designed website with easy navigation, parents will be more inclined to make a booking. For the best results, you should also try to gain positive reviews as this form of social proof can often sway their decisions.
#2. Create A Family-Friendly Atmosphere
When kids are entertained and happy, parents will have a far more enjoyable time too. Playground equipment for your garden areas can be a great addition. Kids can play while their food is prepared while the chance to go on the swings or slide makes them excited about the trip. It is an investment that can send family bookings through the roof.
Other simple solutions include offering coloring pencils or other activities to young diners. If it can beat the boredom, there is no question that families will respond more positively. A self-serve drinks station or ice cream station can also work wonders for your venue. Not least because parents can feel comfortable in a relaxed setting. Accessible toilets are a must too.
#3. Invest In Your Menu
Ultimately, great food is an essential aspect of any dining experience. You do not have to create an extensive or complicated menu. However, there should be suitable options for children and adults alike. The kids’ menu should include some nutritious meals, like adult meals but with smaller portions, as well as options for fussy young diners.
The adult menu should include delicious foods that parents often don’t have time to make at home. Of course, the exact dishes will depend on your cuisine. In truth, though, it probably doesn’t need the fancy gimmicks of a fine dining experience. Most parents simply want a meal that is cooked to perfection and will delight the taste buds.
#4. Make Transactions Feel Simple
When taking the kids out to eat, parents have to worry about many things. From their appearance to keeping kids entertained and finding foods they’ll eat, there is so much to do. Therefore, the last thing they want is to have a difficult transaction. When you make this aspect more convenient, they can finally focus on actively enjoying the meal.
The right POS for restaurants can be a game-changer. It may even incorporate ideas like placing orders through an iPad to let diners do this at their own pace. More importantly, you must accept as many payment types as possible and make it easy to use discount codes or coupons. Likewise, providing free parking to diners can make a huge difference.
#5. Consider Your Staff
Finally, the team behind your restaurant will have a huge influence regardless of your target audience. Still, if your venue targets families, the impact of the customer experience is even more important. When hiring servers and waiting staff, personalities are as important as skills. So, you should always check that employees have patience and a friendly attitude.
If kids like the waiting staff, this is a massive bonus. All children are different, which is why various tactics may be needed like making them feel grown up or just making them laugh. When combined with high-quality chefs who make beautiful dishes, your business will be destined to thrive. More importantly, it is a fantastic way to turn new diners into regular customers.
The Final Word
As a family-friendly restaurant, you will still attract other demographics. Still, if you can win over this audience, your future as a restaurateur will look far brighter. You’ve got this.
