By April B.
Every restaurant owner knows that one of the central components to success in the food business is location, location, location.
But, in today’s busy marketplace, going mobile is now key.
The restaurant business, whether it be brick and mortar, food truck, bistro, bakery or hot dog stand are all candidates for the mobile app.
How can mobile app increase revenue for your food business?
1) Drives Customers to Your restaurant, especially on weekdays – Since 37.5% of fast food restaurants offer online ordering, it stands to reason that this convenience will be utilized to elevate the following: pay and submit orders from their mobile device, give a time saving capability, forego long lines for the loyal customer, and faster processing time.
2) Special discounts – The best way to get the message out that a special is running at your food place in an immediate way is through mobile marketing. Use your mobile app to let customers know about these discounts and specials.
3) Helps Customers SHARE – A recent television commercial reflects the impact of mobile apps on marketing in the food business. The Specific Lunch is shareable when the actor on the TV screen becomes a Like Food person rather than a Fast Food person. He takes a picture of this Specific Lunch with his phone and shares the photo with all his friends.
4) Improves Interaction with Customers and improves brand – Because the mobile app is an immediate source of information with your customers, interaction becomes a part of their daily lives. Here are the facts. A 2012 National Restaurant Industry Forecast stated that one-third of customers would become a follower on Facebook or Twitter if the food business made specials known on these social media platforms. This type of interaction is significant because those who use mobile apps can publicize their location, nutritional information, take orders and payments, and garner brand awareness
5) Reputation management – Every restaurant manager knows that one bad customer complaint is worth ten compliments. You can double that for online reputation management. Today, reputation management is so significant online that there are complete businesses that dedicate their energies to this business model. However, the wise food business owner will keep on top of his business reputation through the interaction he has by mobile app and correct or salvage complaints or misunderstandings immediately.
There has never been another time in history when it has become so easy and affordable to build brand awareness and reach customers as it is today with mobile app marketing. The wise restaurant owner is stepping up.
