The Top 10 Australian Restaurant Marketing Strategies

1. Optimize Your Menu

The first step towards any great marketing strategy must always start with the food! Optimizing your menu is a crucial marketing strategy that can significantly impact your restaurant’s bottom line. This involves analyzing which of your dishes are the most popular and which items provide the highest profit margins so that you can adjust your menu accordingly.

The Grounds of Alexandria, a popular café in Sydney, leveraged this strategy by regularly updating its menu to highlight seasonal ingredients and customer favorites. They also strategically placed high-margin items in the most visible parts of the menu, encouraging customers to choose them. This not only enhanced customer satisfaction by offering fresh and relevant options but also boosted their profitability. By optimizing your menu, you can ensure that your offerings remain attractive and profitable, driving repeat business and customer loyalty.

2. Optimize Your Google My Business (GMB) Profile

Google My Business is a powerful tool that allows you to manage your online presence in your local area. A well-optimized Google My Business (GMB) profile can significantly enhance your restaurant’s visibility online, especially for local searches.

Pellegrini’s Espresso Bar in Melbourne saw a significant increase in their foot traffic after they optimized their GMB profile. The cafe ensured that its profile was complete with high-quality images, updated operating hours, and accurate location information. They also actively encouraged satisfied customers to leave positive reviews, which further improved their search engine ranking.

By optimizing your GMB profile, you can make it easier for potential customers to find you, learn about your offerings, and choose your restaurant over competitors, ultimately driving more traffic and sales.

3. Build an Attractive Website

An attractive and user-friendly website is an essential resource for any modern restaurant. It serves as a digital storefront, providing customers with all the information they need, from menus to booking options.

Take the example of the Chin Chin Thai food restaurant in Melbourne. The restaurant took the time to heavily invest in its web design, creating a visually appealing and easy-to-navigate site. Now their website not only showcases their vibrant menu but also offers a quick and easy way to make online reservations and event bookings. The website’s design reflects the restaurant’s brand, helping to attract the right clientele and enhance the overall customer experience. By building an attractive website, your restaurant can make a strong first impression online, converting visitors into loyal customers.

4. Be Active on Instagram and TikTok

In today’s digital age, social media is a powerful tool that Australian restaurants simply cannot afford to ignore. We’ve all seen our fair share of viral TikToks of tasty cuisine and wanted to give it a try. Platforms like Instagram and Facebook are perfect for showcasing mouth-watering dishes and vibrant dining experiences. Here you can share appealing photos of your food, explore exciting behind-the-scenes content, and show off your restaurant’s unique ambiance. Many businesses will also collaborate with local influencers and run contests to expand their reach and increase brand visibility. 

The only key thing to remember here is to add social media posts consistently. By regularly posting appealing content that aligns with your brand’s personality, you invite customer engagement and create a community around your restaurant. By being active on Instagram and TikTok, you can connect with your audience in a more personal and engaging way, boosting your restaurant’s visibility and customer loyalty. A social media presence allows you a direct channel to gain valuable customer feedback.

5. Try Email Marketing

Email marketing remains an effective way how to market a restaurant by keeping in touch with existing customers and enticing new ones. The trick is in crafting engaging newsletters that people look forward to receiving – think exclusive deals, behind-the-scenes looks, or even chef’s recipes. But remember – personalizing your emails is what makes all the difference here. Tailoring emails based on customer preferences can turn casual diners into loyal patrons who feel truly connected to your brand.

For instance, the Rockpool Bar & Grill in Sydney has successfully used email marketing to keep their customers informed about new menu items, upcoming events, and exclusive offers. They segment their email list to tailor messages to different customer groups, ensuring that their communications are always relevant and engaging. This approach has led to higher open rates and increased customer retention. By leveraging email marketing, you can maintain a direct line of communication with your customers, keeping them informed and engaged while driving repeat business.

6. Get an Online Ordering System

In the age of convenience, any food business worth its salt has some sort of online ordering facility available. It’s important to set up an online ordering system to capitalize on the growing demand for takeaway and delivery services. Online ordering systems allow you to add clear menus, attractive food photos, and convenient payment options to encourage customers to order directly from your restaurant instead of other third-party online food delivery platforms (which can charge a hefty fee!).

Just take the example of Fishbowl, a healthy fast-food chain in Australia. Fishbowl uses an online ordering system that integrates right into its website and mobile app. This not only made it easier for customers to place orders but also allowed Fishbowl to collect valuable customer data, which they used to personalize marketing efforts. The convenience of online ordering has also led to a significant increase in sales and customer satisfaction. By investing in an online ordering system, your restaurant can tap into new revenue streams and improve the overall customer experience!

7. Provide Appealing Offers and Discounts

More often than not, you’ll find that no marketing strategy beats a good old well-thought-out discount or offer. Offers like happy hour specials, weekday lunch promotions, or seasonal discounts are a tried-and-true way to attract new customers and encourage repeat visits. These offers can be promoted through your website, social media channels, and email newsletters.

The Australian burger chain, Grill’d, has effectively used this strategy with their “Relish” loyalty program, which offers members exclusive discounts, free birthday burgers, and other perks. They also run limited-time promotions, such as discounted meal bundles, to drive traffic during off-peak hours. These offers not only incentivize customers to visit more frequently but also help to increase average order values. By providing appealing offers and discounts, you can create a sense of urgency and excitement, encouraging customers to choose your restaurant over competitors.

8. Invest in Push Notification Marketing

Push notifications are a powerful way to keep your customers engaged and informed, even when they are not actively interacting with your restaurant. Send notifications about limited-time offers, special events, or new menu additions straight to your customers’ devices to make sure you’re always on their minds!

Domino’s Australia has successfully used push notification marketing through its app, sending timely notifications about new menu items, exclusive discounts, and order status updates. These notifications are personalized based on the customer’s previous orders and preferences, making them more likely to engage. The result has been increased customer retention and higher order frequency.

9. Run Loyalty Programs

Loyalty programs are an excellent way to reward repeat customers and encourage them to keep coming back. Offer exclusive discounts, freebies, or a points-based system where customers earn rewards for repeat visits. You may want to invest in a POS system with a built-in loyalty system to help you simultaneously streamline your business and marketing operations.

Take Zambrero, a Mexican food chain well known in the Australian restaurant scene. Zambrero has a highly successful loyalty program called the “ZamPass.” Members earn points for every purchase, which can be redeemed for free meals and other rewards. The program also integrates with their app, allowing customers to track their points and receive personalized offers. This has led to increased customer retention and higher average order values. By running a loyalty program, you can incentivize repeat visits, build a strong customer base, and increase overall sales.

10. Create Exciting Challenges Online or Offline

Creating challenges on or offline is an excellent way to generate buzz about your business! Messina Gelato in Australia has perfected this strategy with its “Gelato Messina Challenge,” where customers are encouraged to create their unique gelato flavors. The best entries are then featured in their stores for a limited time. This challenge not only drives customer engagement but also creates a sense of community and excitement around the brand. By creating exciting challenges, you can foster customer interaction, generate social media buzz, and enhance your restaurant’s visibility and brand loyalty.