There are plenty of ways to build revenue in the summer, which can boost your business significantly, giving a boost for the rest of the year. Summer is traditionally a period of high revenues, rivaled only by the holiday season in earning potential. Consequently, restaurant owners could make more than they did in the previous months due to the volume.
But don’t ease up just yet. Even if you have restaurant insurance, it is still a good idea to formulate a revenue-generating strategy to ensure your continued profitability throughout the year. Likewise, you can maximize your profits and keep your business running smoothly.
Build your Customer Base
Even before summer, work on establishing and building a solid customer base. Customers will make your business thrive. It makes sense to devote most of your effort to keep your clientele happy. Knowing what they want and providing it to them, you can keep the crowds coming in throughout the year.
Study the Competition
A wise restaurateur always pays attention to what their competitors are up to. Knowing what other restaurant owners are doing will help you determine what works and doesn’t. You don’t necessarily want to copy other restaurants. But awareness of effective strategies will enable you to develop your unique spin along similar lines.
Connect with Local Businesses
No restaurant is an island. Forging strong relationships and partnerships will local businesses can help boost your profitability in ways you never thought possible. Connecting with local tourist attractions can be beneficial, enabling you to come up with ways to attract the summer crowd.
Makeover your Summer Menu
If you’ve stuck to the same menu for a while, now might be a good time to update it. And if your specials and old standbys don’t seem to be pulling in the crowds, you might consider throwing out your entire menu and starting over. Consider incorporating fruits or veggies in season or cooking new dishes that cater to the latest culinary trends. The change might do you some good!
Always Room for Dessert!
Desserts are always a popular draw, so make sure to have plenty to offer to those with a sweet tooth. Light, colorful, and fruity concoctions are always welcome, especially when you add your unique twist to make them more memorable and special. You could even get creative with your arrangements and presentation to better suit the summer feel.
Don’t Forget the Drinks!
Your customers will want something to parch their thirst, so you’d better have plenty of beverage options to appeal to them. Cold drinks are always welcome, with options ranging from smoothies and fresh fruit juices to more elaborate ‘mocktails.’ As always, work with ingredients that are in season and tailor your presentation to suit the weather.
Consider Offering Alcohol
If you don’t currently have alcoholic drinks on the menu, now might be a good time to add them. Beers and spirits are always popular choices, but make sure to mix up some cocktails for those with fancier tastes. You will probably want to keep them light and refreshing, so save the brandies and heavy spirits for the holidays.
Offer Entertainment
Offering some entertainment could boost sales. It doesn’t have to be anything fancy. You can contact local musicians or stand-up comics to liven up your summer evenings and attract customers looking for more than a quick drink and a bite to eat.
Plan Events around Summer Happenings
Summer is always eventful, so why not plan your events around local holidays and celebrations? You could have a “Summer Break” special, for example, or have a 2-for-1 offer on drinks to celebrate the start of the season.
There is plenty of options to boost your earning potential this summer. Although you will probably be generating more revenue than you have anyway, employing the above strategies could help increase your profits even more.
About Blue Sky Insurance Agency
For over 20 years, family owned Blue Sky Insurance Agency has proudly specialized in insurance and tax services for Virginia residents. Our philosophy is simple: “If you can dream it, we can insure it.” We strive to provide value to our clients by establishing and building relationships and focusing on more than just rates. We are dedicated to providing holistic and strategically tailored solutions to protect all of your assets, and to provide peace of mind wherever life takes you. To get in touch with us, fill out a complimentary quote form, or call us at one of our two locations: