A restaurant business depends on more than just good food. If sales aren’t growing, it becomes harder to manage rising food costs, staff pay, and overhead.

Many restaurants rely on word-of-mouth marketing or seasonal crowds. But long-term growth calls for steady action.

You need strategies that bring in new customers, turn first-time customers into regulars, and help you get the most value out of each order.

In this article, you will learn how to increase restaurant sales using eight strategies that actually work. Each one focuses on practical steps you can take to grow revenue and build a more successful restaurant.

1. Set Up Online Ordering

People expect convenience. If someone can’t place an order from their phone in under a minute, they may choose another restaurant.

Online ordering gives you a way to meet those expectations, bring in more orders, and keep your restaurant top of mind during busy weeks.

For many restaurant owners, it’s now one of the easiest ways to increase restaurant sales without needing more tables or staff.

The benefit goes beyond just making sales. When customers use your direct ordering system instead of third-party apps, you keep more profit. Those apps often charge fees that eat into your margins.

A direct online ordering system helps you control the customer experience, manage wait times, suggest add-ons, and promote high-margin menu items while collecting valuable customer data for future marketing.

Online ordering also keeps things moving during slower hours or in bad weather. Someone who doesn’t want to dine in might still order a meal to-go.

Pro Tip

Buildify offers restaurants a branded online website and mobile app with an ordering system that feels just as smooth as the national chains.

Customers can order directly from your site or app without being pushed to a third-party platform. This helps you keep more of each sale and build a better relationship with your diners.

The best part is that you don’t have to pay thousands of dollars; it only takes $399/month.

Book a call and get a branded website and mobile app in less than 10 days!

2. Start a Loyalty Program

Getting customers through the door once is good. Getting them to come back again and again is better.

A good loyalty program increases restaurant sales by rewarding regulars and keeping your brand top of mind. When someone knows they’ll earn something with every visit, they’re more likely to come back.

Loyalty programs also help you compete with larger chains that already have systems in place to reward existing customers. Even a basic setup can build a stronger loyal customer base over time.

Examples of Loyalty Programs for Restaurants

Some loyalty programs you may offer:

• Points for spending – Earn one point per dollar spent. After 50 or 100 points, customers unlock a reward, such as a free drink or appetizer.
• Visit-based rewards – After five or ten visits, guests receive a reward, such as a free dessert or a discount on their next order.
• Birthday perks – Offer a free item or special offer during a customer’s birthday week. These personalized touches help drive repeat business.
• Referral rewards – Customers get points or discounts for referring new customers who place an order.
• Tiered levels – Encourage long-term loyalty by creating tiers (e.g., Silver, Gold, Platinum) that unlock better rewards as customers spend more.

Buildify gives restaurants access to a full-featured loyalty program. You can track customer points, offer rewards, and send offers just like national chains do.

Book a call and get your branded loyalty and reward programs!

3. Improve Organic and Local SEO

When people search for places to eat, they usually go to Google.

If your restaurant isn’t showing up in those results, you’re missing a steady stream of traffic from people who are ready to place an order or visit.

Improving your search engine optimization (SEO) helps you get found faster and get more sales without paid ads.

Make sure your website includes words that match what people search for. Use terms like:

• Your restaurant name and city
• Cuisine or food style (like “tacos” or “wood-fired pizza”)
• Common menu items that people might search for
• Location-based phrases (like “best sushi in Portland”)

Put these phrases in your page titles, descriptions, and image alt text. This helps Google understand what your site is about and who it should show it to.

Optimize Your Google Business Profile

This is what shows up on the side of search results or in Google Maps. A complete, active profile can drive a lot of clicks.

Make sure you:

• Claim and verify your profile
• Add your hours and website link
• Post food photos regularly
• Keep your online menu updated
• Respond to reviews to show customers you care

These steps improve your local SEO and help you show up when people search for restaurants near them.

Improve Website Speed and Layout

People won’t wait for a slow site to load. Your website should:

• Load fast on mobile
• Be easy to scroll and tap
• Make online ordering simple
• Show your best items clearly
• Include a clear address and contact info

The easier your site is to use, the more likely someone is to follow through and place an order.

4. Upgrade Your Website

Your website is often the first thing people see before they decide to visit or order.

A slow, confusing, or outdated site can turn away new customers. But a clean, fast, and helpful site can help you stand out and increase restaurant sales.

Think of your website as your digital front door. If it doesn’t clearly show what you offer or how to order, people will leave and pick a competitor.

Here are a few things that every restaurant site needs:

• Pages for your best-selling dishes – Create a separate page for popular items. Add customer feedback or short quotes from reviews to highlight what people love most about each dish. Doing so builds trust and helps attract customers to place an order.
• Strong brand personality – Use the colors, voice, and style that match your in-person dining experience. Let your personality show. It helps people remember you.
• Clear calls to action (CTAs) – These tell people what to do next. Use short phrases like “Order Now,” “Book a Table,” or “Join Our Rewards Program.”
• High-quality photos – Show off your food and space. Great food photos make your site more engaging and help customers picture themselves visiting.
• Fast load time and mobile design – Most people will visit your site from their phones. Make sure it loads fast and is easy to use on any screen.

5. Boost Your Social Media Presence

People spend hours every day scrolling through Instagram, Facebook, and TikTok. If your restaurant isn’t showing up there, you’re missing a big chance to reach new customers and stay top-of-mind with regulars.

A strong social media presence helps you build trust, share updates, and give people a reason to visit.

You don’t need to post every day, but you do need to post with purpose. Share photos of your food, highlight staff, announce specials, and thank your regulars.

When you show the real side of your restaurant, people connect with it.

To boost sales using social media platforms, do the following:

• Post high-quality food photos – Nothing grabs attention faster than a great-looking dish. Clear, colorful images help you draw attention and make people crave your food.
• Share behind-the-scenes moments – Show what happens in the kitchen, introduce team members, or walk through the making of a signature dish.
• Respond to comments and messages – Engaging with your audience builds stronger relationships. It shows you’re listening and gives people more reason to come back.
• Use stories and reels – Short-form content helps you stay visible in the feed. Use it to highlight daily specials or feature quick behind-the-scenes clips.

If you’re too busy running the kitchen to focus on social, Buildify can take over. It provides expert social media management based on Fortune 500 strategies. Book a call today!

6. Offer Delivery

If you don’t offer online delivery, you’re missing out on a large group of potential customers who want convenience. But you don’t need to offer it across the whole city.

Even a limited delivery zone can make a big impact if it includes neighborhoods with lots of potential. Focus on areas near your restaurant where people are most likely to place regular orders.

Here’s how to set up delivery for your restaurant:

• Keep your delivery menu simple – Some dishes don’t travel well. Stick to items that stay fresh and taste great even after 30 minutes in a box.
• Make packaging count – Use containers that hold temperature and prevent spills.
• Use direct delivery or partner smartly – While apps like DoorDash or Uber Eats bring in orders, they also take a large cut. If you can manage in-house delivery, you’ll keep more profit. If not, use apps but promote your own site to drive more direct orders.
• Promote your delivery service online – Mention it in your posts, website banners, and email messages. Let your target customers know that getting their favorite dishes is just a few taps away.

7. Create Engaging Content

Good content builds trust before someone ever walks through your doors. It helps people remember your restaurant and feel connected to it.

If your feed or blog looks the same week after week, it’s easy for people to scroll past it. But when you create content that feels interesting and personal, it stands out.

Skip the generic posts. Focus on simple, meaningful content that gives people a reason to follow and engage:

• A common customer question – Share short posts explaining things like your spice levels, ingredients, or the story behind certain dishes. It gives people more confidence to try something new.
• Talk about seasonal or local items – If you source ingredients from nearby farms or offer seasonal specials, highlight that. It makes your restaurant feel more connected to the community.
• Tease upcoming changes – Tease a new dish or drink you’re working on. Letting people feel involved in your decisions builds excitement and makes them more likely to come try it.
• Use short text-based posts – Not every post needs a photo or video. A quick update, fun fact, or message from your team can still connect with your audience.

8. Run Ads with Specials or Coupons

When people see a deal, they pay attention. Running ads with clear, limited-time offers can grab interest and drive quick action.

You don’t need to run a huge campaign. Even small deals can push people to order or visit.

• Spend-and-save offers – Give $5 off when someone spends $30. This can encourage customers to buy more and can raise your average order value.
• Weekday-only coupons – Offer deals on slower nights to balance out your weekly sales.
• Promo codes for first-time customers – Give a discount to new diners, then use their email or phone number to send future offers and bring them back.

With Buildify, you can send out instant push notifications to let customers know about new deals, limited-time offers, or special events.

Grow Your Restaurant’s Revenue With Buildify

Between managing restaurant staff, planning menus, and keeping up with customer needs, most restaurant owners don’t have hours to build websites, set up loyalty programs, or handle social media. That’s where Buildify comes in.

Buildify helps restaurants grow online quickly and affordably. For $399 per month, you get a professional website, a branded mobile app, and a built-in online ordering system.

The plan also includes loyalty programs, push notifications, local coupon support, and round-the-clock customer service. There are no contracts, and your setup can go live in under five days.

If you need more, Buildify also offers social media management, branding, market research, and compliance support.

Looking to grow your customer base and boost your restaurant’s success? Launch your restaurant’s digital setup in less than 10 days with Buildify!

FAQs About Increasing Restaurant Sales

How to increase sales in a restaurant?

You boost restaurant sales by improving your online presence, offering online ordering, and running targeted promotions. Adding a loyalty program encourages repeat visits, while upselling and cross-selling help increase the average check size. Speeding up service, hosting events, and optimizing your menu can also lead to more revenue.

How do restaurants attract more customers?

Restaurants attract more customers by showing up in local search results, staying active on social media, and offering deals that bring people in. High-quality photos, updated menus, and good reviews all play a role. Clear branding and a user-friendly website also help make a strong first impression.

How would you increase the profit of a restaurant?

To increase profit, focus on both growing sales and managing costs. Use digital tools to bring in more orders without hiring more staff. Streamline your menu to reduce waste and focus on high-margin items. Promoting takeout and delivery can also increase volume without needing more tables.

What are four general ways to increase sales?

Increase traffic by attracting new customers. Improve conversion by making it easy to order or reserve. Raise the average ticket through upselling and add-ons. Boost frequency by bringing customers back more often through loyalty and engagement.

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