Like andviv says, if we had pictures we could give you some better tips.
I know in my area the city will allow me to put up a black sign on the road for 30 days. It paid off big time for me. Use it at the right time and you may get great results also.
Maybe I can just put out the reminder that attracting new customers is not always the goal. KEEPING customers is. If you have a revolving door, yes, you always need to spend money on advertising to drive new traffic. BUT if you have a lot of repeat business or what I call retention, then you will be a lot more profitable. Here are some of the retention tips I use personally, and maybe some that gear more towards your business.
#1. Cleanliness. - Starbucks does a great job of this, they have a strict every 20 minute cleaning schedule.
#2. Being Friendly - Having outgoing staff that joke and have fun and are always smiling makes me want to come back. If not for anything else, the entertainment.
#3. Hire good representations of you and your product - That 300 pound dude behind the counter doesn't make me want another cheeseburger, but that cute blonde could get me to buy extra food any day of the week.
#4. ALWAYS get the order right. - I have so many fast food shops around me that I couldn't care less who gets my business. Hell there are 2 Wendy's within a 5 mile drive on my way home at night. I won't go to the one closest to me on my way back because they tell me that the cheeseburger I want doesn't come with ketchup. Well dude... I said I want only ketchup... if you can't be smart enough to do that... forget it... instead of arguing I'll just go to the other one from now on.
(4.5 - I hate having to check my order and bag. The constant "you really don't care so I better check this to see if you one, got my order right, two, gave me what I needed, and three didn't spit in my food!)
#5. Thoughtfulness - I see businesses these days skimp on napkins and straws and condiments but you know what, nothing pisses me off more than not having a straw or a napkin... If you go the extra mile you won't always have to attract new customers, you will get many repeat customers.
I have to face the same situations all the time. Even though we are in two different industries retention is KEY to my survival. And I'm sure it's the icing on the cake for your profitable fast food business.
I know in my area the city will allow me to put up a black sign on the road for 30 days. It paid off big time for me. Use it at the right time and you may get great results also.
Maybe I can just put out the reminder that attracting new customers is not always the goal. KEEPING customers is. If you have a revolving door, yes, you always need to spend money on advertising to drive new traffic. BUT if you have a lot of repeat business or what I call retention, then you will be a lot more profitable. Here are some of the retention tips I use personally, and maybe some that gear more towards your business.
#1. Cleanliness. - Starbucks does a great job of this, they have a strict every 20 minute cleaning schedule.
#2. Being Friendly - Having outgoing staff that joke and have fun and are always smiling makes me want to come back. If not for anything else, the entertainment.
#3. Hire good representations of you and your product - That 300 pound dude behind the counter doesn't make me want another cheeseburger, but that cute blonde could get me to buy extra food any day of the week.
#4. ALWAYS get the order right. - I have so many fast food shops around me that I couldn't care less who gets my business. Hell there are 2 Wendy's within a 5 mile drive on my way home at night. I won't go to the one closest to me on my way back because they tell me that the cheeseburger I want doesn't come with ketchup. Well dude... I said I want only ketchup... if you can't be smart enough to do that... forget it... instead of arguing I'll just go to the other one from now on.
(4.5 - I hate having to check my order and bag. The constant "you really don't care so I better check this to see if you one, got my order right, two, gave me what I needed, and three didn't spit in my food!)
#5. Thoughtfulness - I see businesses these days skimp on napkins and straws and condiments but you know what, nothing pisses me off more than not having a straw or a napkin... If you go the extra mile you won't always have to attract new customers, you will get many repeat customers.
I have to face the same situations all the time. Even though we are in two different industries retention is KEY to my survival. And I'm sure it's the icing on the cake for your profitable fast food business.