Coupons are proven the be a helpful marketing tool for most restaurants.
Depending on the kind of restaurant or the need that you have, there are various types of coupons that you can use.
Let's identify the different types of coupons and what type can possibly suit your business:
1. Flat rate coupon - flat rate dollar amount discount from the customer's total bill.
For example, it is a 5 or 10 dollars off of their total bill. This is a good option for restaurants with higher menu prices. Consider a minimum required spending before they can get a coupon like $20 or $30.
2. Percentage-based discounts - this is a type of coupon that involves discounting your food by a percentage, such as 15% or 20% off.
This is ideal for restaurants with affordable prices.
Because customers focus on the percentage, they think they're saving a lot of money, when they're really only saving a few dollars.
This is best for a fast-casual and fast-food type of restaurant.
3. A complimentary gift - for example, a free order of cannoli when you spend $10.
We do this strategically if a customer has not been to our restaurant for the last 60 days, we will present it as a gift.
You may also offer, for instance, a complimentary pint of beer when your customer orders wings.
Give them something for free. This is an excellent way to launch new menu items because you can package the new item with something you know your customers will enjoy.
4. Restaurant BOGO (Buy One, Get One) - this is very common in a lot of pizzerias, you get one 12 inches, you get one more 12 inches.
5. Combo deals - feed a family deal works better because they get attracted when they knew that the combination of your meal can feed the whole family for a lesser price, versus buying each item separately.
The idea of feeding their family attracts them because it is more economical, like for instance, spending only $22 for all of them.
6. Time-based discounts - a classic example is the "happy hour" in resto-bars. Lowering prices on food and drink is tried and tested to bring in the after-work crowd.
7. Loyalty cards - loyalty or rewards cards allow customers to collect stamps, stickers or points for each time they visit your establishment, allowing them to eventually work up to a free meal or menu item.
This type of coupon is appealing to businesses because it keeps your customers coming back and making purchases. It ultimately encourages repeat business.
Make sure you consider which type best suits your business's needs before making a decision.
And again, couponing will only be effective in pulling your sales up only when done properly.
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