What is the best way to generate traffic besides word of mouth in the restaurant industry?


Run a coupon in the local newspapers.

50 Responses

  1. Calvin the Bold Says:

    Sending out lots of flyers, it works!
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  2. Justme Says:

    Run a coupon in the local newspapers.
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  3. krd12 Says:

    Valpak, if you need information, e-mail me @ krd12@yahoo.com
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  4. Gogo Says:

    Buttery ads with hot women. That is sure to attract attention. Or you can go for the family appeal, by having a family in the ad.
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  5. flowerspirit2000 Says:

    DELIVER FLYERS….MAKE EM FUNNY
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  6. lees_sword Says:

    advertisements.
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  7. NEANEA Says:

    WRITE INTO FOOD NETWORK AND TELL THEM IT IS THE BEST PLACE FOR ____________ FOOD AND TELL THEM IT SHOULD BE ON FOOD FINDS OR THE BEST OF.
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  8. Unique Says:

    Give out free samples.
    Have a reporter write about your restaurant and publish it in a well known paper or magazine.
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  9. Rob Says:

    Newspaper ad with coupon.
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    This is the kind of thing that gets me to visit. ‘Free cup of coffee’ with breakfast order, etc.

  10. Andrew Says:

    Advertisement. Coupons and discount offers don’t hurt either.
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  11. Dave Says:

    Flyers and coupons are good. Don’t put anything in the mail. It just makes people mad.
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  12. Armerys Says:

    Great service, terrific food, competitive prices.
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  13. Dahs Says:

    Press Release!
    Try to get on your local TV Morning News! Offer to do a demo of your specialty dishes and provide a taste for the morning crew, free of charge!
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  14. mamabear Says:

    Distribute paper menus and flyers (you can hire kids to bring them to people’s doors). If your budget allows, the newspapers, the Yellow Pages, an online ad…

    Good luck!
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  15. Scott C Says:

    trade advertising with a local (non-competitor) business. You advertise their business if they’ll advertise yours.
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  16. biochem_lab Says:

    in one word – advertise :-)
    on the net, Yellow Pages, Local newspaper, at the mall, etc.

    and specifically for the restaurant business – keep the stuff tasty :-)

    best wishes!
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  17. joencrystal Says:

    You can associate yourself with a local charity cause. That’s what a local restaurant did when they first opened. They held benifit brunches for the local Boys and Girls Club on a regular basis and gained a lot of attention quickly because of it.

    Hope that gives you some ideas! Good Luck :)
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  18. scoobyd3 Says:

    Have a catch. Be the home of something. This is the only place you can go for this. Or be the originator of something. Others may have it but you started it, so credit has to be laid back to you. I know easier said the done, but hey.

    (Ie Lamberts — home of the throwed roll)
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  19. partyatthepalms09 Says:

    try putting ads in newspapers, on tv, and flyers
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  20. Ry_man Says:

    Advertise heavily and participate in consumer surveys or invite a consumer report type agency or better business bureau in to give you a rating on your restaurant. You can also contact you local Chamber of Commerce.
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    Tons of family owned businesses, bars, furniture store, and restaurants.

  21. rainbeauclown Says:

    If you are in the USA, there is a coupon book called Entertainment. You can place coupons in there for *free*, the only cost being to honor them. Two fers are the most popular with me and my friends. Buy one entree and get one free with the purchase of two drinks and an appetiser. You’re still going to make a killing when they come back for the great food again and again. Getting them in the door is the first step. Keeping them is the tricky part.
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  22. korbbec Says:

    Watch for "best of" polls in your local newspaper, then use your family and friends to make sure your shop wins. Then take out a "thank you for your votes" ad in the next edition of said newspaper once again stating your number one status and providing a 10-20% off coupon to thank all your supporters. People will wonder what the buzz is about, plus they have a coupon, so why not try it out?
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  23. lou Says:

    1. mail out coupons
    2. newspaper advertisement
    3. radio advertisement
    4. t.v. advertisement
    5. billboard advertisement
    6. in store bulletin or chalk board specials
    7. in store table advertisements
    8. menu mail outs to residential area’s
    9. menu mail outs to commercial customers
    10. store discount plans for large commercial companies
    11. special menu mail outs with coupons to commercial customer’s
    12. menu mail outs with coupons to residential customers
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  24. Poopie Johnson Says:

    1. have an open house/free tasting for the public – offer samples from your menu paired with various wines.
    2. sponsor a free lunch or dinner for neighboring businesses or professional groups
    3. advertise in your local media outlets and offer special deals/discounts.
    Good luck!
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  25. Dutch Master Says:

    THE BEST WAY IS WORD OF MOUTH PERIOD. SERVEQUALITY FOOD , LOTS OF IT , IN A CLEAN RESTAURANT , AND GREAT SERVICE .
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    I OWN 7 DELIS IN OHIO FOR OVER 35 YEARS AND THEY ARE INSTITUTIONS AND I NEVER SPENT DIME ONE ON ADVERTISING

  26. jojo Says:

    I would say advertise your butt off and have coupons printed in the paper for say 2 for 1 deals or free entrees or free appetizers
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  27. Hillary Says:

    Flyers, cupons, free samples, promote with free appitizers or drinks 50% off, mail out menus, have an ad run in the loal newspapers, have a local radio station promote ur resturant, etc …
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  28. wrepete1951 Says:

    Offer free dessert with any entree —– for a limited time, of course.
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  29. Sylk Says:

    Buy one entree, get the second free. Gets me every time.
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  30. lelagirl1257 Says:

    Put signs out on the street advertising it.
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  31. jtgmontreal Says:

    Advertise…

    Have specials….

    Like " opening specials" or have some killer slogans… Nothing that will profule a specific gender, rather, that it will attarct all….
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  32. icemn99999 Says:

    Have scantily clad women stand outside offering free "dessert".
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    My smart head.

  33. Ranjer Says:

    Spring for radio and television ads and advertise specials. Design and print flyers with the type of product you feature, complete with phone number, directions and map. Keep your food quality consistent and stay on top of your employees to ensure that the service stays top-notch.
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  34. K9 Says:

    Hand out flyers to your customers; at lunch have a bowl that customers can toss their business card into for a weekly drawing (free or discounted meal); stand on the sidewalk and give small samples of your best entre’; read sll those good tidbits above this answer!
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  35. Noodle Says:

    free drinks soda ,beer,
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  36. magerk Says:

    Advertise your happy hour! That will get people in, and if they like it, they’ll tell their friends!

    I actually tried a new restaurant last weekend from someone who suggested it here on yahoo answers!
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  37. Syngi Says:

    Hold a special event for your restaurant.
    Put coupons in a free mailer or have them put in the newspaper.
    Get together with restaurant owners and businesses near you and work together to do a street fair where people can try your food.
    Give out free samples of a dish every day for the first month.
    There is no best way and no foolproof answer– just have good food at reasonable prices and do what you can to get people interested.
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  38. musicalmarz Says:

    if you are going to have an add, make it proffessional… theres nothing worse than an over crowded or badly designed ad.
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  39. vieveia Says:

    Try sponsoring some sort of event where you give out samples, and then have coupons at the event to bring people into the Restaurant…This is how my husband and I found our favorite restaurant. Also post a menu outside of the building…it entices passerbys.
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  40. Livingdeadgirl84 Says:

    Free samples!!If your food is good people will come back for more!!!
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  41. Silly2002 Says:

    Coupons, daily/weekly paper, billboards, specials.
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  42. Tobin Green Says:

    COUPONS
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  43. Cambion7 Says:

    Direct marketing. Send out flyers as the first person said. Also generate some coupons and go to apartments near-by and speak to the manager about having them put your coupons into their move-in packets.
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  44. infiniti7606 Says:

    post flyers on college campus bulletin boards and in the newspaper
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  45. chrisbrown_222 Says:

    Contact the coach of a near by school. Throw a "winners" party for the team when they win, a home coming party, etc. Drop your prices to or near cost. Supply balloons, cheap, the school art department can supply the posters etc, no cost to you. This gets the kids in, if they like it they will bring in the parents. Offer free coffee and half price meals to uniformed police. Draws a crowd and lowers your insurance. Have a marquee or large sign out front with silly sayings. IE; "The boss told me to change this sign so I did", "worlds worst cafe but come in anyway, I need the money" Silly stuff. People remember silly stuff, they can’t even see ads.
    Vaya con DIOS
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  46. doraima29 Says:

    advertise with the use of flyers with brain work, catchy phrases and pictures(clip art) — if you don’t know a graphics designer. Actually you can make some in Microsoft Word. And have promos posted in newspapers either free or some newspapers.

    You can do it all on your own.
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  47. jessica_tx_21 Says:

    Give something Free. Everyone like Free stuff. Also advertise that you are giving free something. Like a free side or drink or something. Good luck.
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  48. acholtz@verizon.net Says:

    I agree with coupons
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  49. Dharma Says:

    Robbybobby-

    I would think the best way is to offer a 2 for one or some special on the food yuo have for people to take an interst. ALso a business card with a 10 percent off on the back. Good Luck!!!!!
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  50. Justin G Says:

    Butcher a cow and throw the carcass in the street with your restaurant’s name and telephone number painted on it. Also add a catchy slogan, like "All burgers prepared fresh." Then just kick back and watch the money roll in.
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