Restaurant businesses offer three tips to generate new revenue streams:
- Take cues from food trends, like the uptick in healthy eating post-COVID.
- Follow your customers’ lead for new business ideas, such as requests to hold parties at your venue.
- Consider adding a convenience element to your dining options, like vending machines that dispense simple menu items for the return-to-office crowd.
Restaurants are still recovering from the pandemic. According to the National Restaurant Association’s 2022 State of the Restaurant Industry Report, more than half of restaurant operators said it would be a year or more before business conditions return to normal. One bright spot: Consumers' pent-up demand for restaurant services remains high. Savvy restaurant owners are capitalizing on this appetite and coming up with creative ways to bring in business.
We have one to two doggy parties every week. Pets add roughly 20% to 30% to the bill. A party with five doggies can generate $200 to $300 or more in extra revenues.
Dmitri Chekaldin, co-owner, Dacha Beer Garden
Icebox Café: Vending machines bring in add-on sales
The Icebox Café, which has restaurants in Miami Beach and Hallandale Beach, last year rolled out Icebox Pantry, a vending machine that offers handmade, chef-driven meals from the Icebox Café’s culinary team. Options include salads, noodle bowls, snacks, and desserts. There are vending machines in more than 20 locations in Miami-Dade and Broward.
It’s been great for business, Robert Siegmann, owner and founder of Icebox Café, told CO—. “Interest in our fresh, healthy food vending systems has increased dramatically.” Inquiries and requests have increased over 50% since the beginning of the year, as businesses are looking for healthier options that are accessible 24/7, he said.
And with the return of employees to the office, vending machine inquiries and deployments have increased two-fold. “We have dozens of machines on order to accommodate existing customers and prospective ones, as well,” said Siegmann.
In addition, the Hallandale Beach location, a community hub for food and creativity, recently amped up programming to bring diners back into the physical space, including live entertainment almost nightly, ranging from comedians and local musicians at brunch and DJs.
[Read: Delivery-Only Model Drives Newfound Business for Restaurant Brands]
Dacha Beer Garden: Doggie parties add 20% to 30% to the bill
Dacha Beer Garden has two locations in Washington, D.C., both have ample outdoor seating, are dog friendly, and are go-to destinations for celebrations. Recently, customers started requesting birthday parties for their dogs. Co-owner Dmitri Chekaldin says the idea was a good fit. “We began making room for the parties and serving ‘puppacinos’ to all the dogs attending. The idea caught on.”
The dog parties have brought Dacha Garden newfound sales. “During COVID when our capacity and revenues were cut by half by restrictions, this helped,” Chekaldin said. “We have one to two doggy parties every week. Pets add roughly 20% to 30% to the bill. A party with five doggies can generate $200 to $300 or more in extra revenues.”
He added: “To say that dogs do not own Dacha Beer Garden would be a huge fallacy. They do! They get petted and get snacks, goodies, and doggy beers!”
Water Pig BBQ: A creative new takeout menu item brings in unexpected sales
During the pandemic, many restaurants shifted to takeout orders. Water Pig BBQ in Pensacola Beach pivoted by consolidating an entire BBQ meal plate into a large, easy-to-carry plastic cup they named the "Water Pig BBQ Sundae." The BBQ Sundae was such a hit at the recent Mardi Gras Parade that it accounted for nearly 50% of all BBQ sales. The BBQ Sundae will be added to the seasonal menu this summer.
Says Manuel Rodriguez, director of food and beverage, “It’s the perfect lunch for those who would rather grab their BBQ to-go and enjoy more time on the beach.”
CO— aims to bring you inspiration from leading respected experts. However, before making any business decision, you should consult a professional who can advise you based on your individual situation.
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