11 Sep 8 Essential Restaurant Marketing Materials
Opening and running a restaurant takes passion, great food, and spectacular service, but it also takes smart marketing.
While digital marketing often takes the lead nowadays, print materials still have an important role to play. From basic necessities like menus to creative window displays, here are some of the most essential marketing materials for restaurants.
Eight Important Print Marketing Materials for Restaurants
1: Menus
Let’s start with the obvious—every restaurant needs a professional, appealing menu. A well-designed menu can enhance the dining experience and create returning patrons. Your menus should have your logo, be easy to read, and conveniently showcase your offerings.
Where you place your menu items is extremely important. For instance, placing the items you most want to sell in the top right corner, top left corner, and center will make the biggest impact. These areas make up what’s known as the “Golden Triangle,” which is where our eyes mostly commonly look when perusing a menu.
When listing menu items, place the majority of your most profitable items at the top, but don’t forget to place one at the bottom as well. People tend to only look at the top and bottom of lists when ordering, and skip over the middle.
A great layout goes a long way, but you can also try adding a few visually appealing elements, such as high-quality images, vibrant colors, and fun fonts that align with your branding.
It’s also a good idea to display a QR code on the tables that send customers to an online menu. This practice has become popular since the pandemic because it gives patrons the option to avoid a high-touch surface.
2: Takeout Menus
In today’s fast-paced world, takeout and delivery have become increasingly popular. Having a separate takeout menu allows you to simplify the choices for those who want to enjoy a premium meal at home or at work.
You can even highlight dishes that travel well, to provide a better customer experience. Make sure to include key information, such as your prices, location, phone number, and instructions for ordering pickup or delivery.
3: Table Tents
While your customers enjoy their meal, table tents provide an excellent opportunity to capture their attention. You can use these small, stand-up displays to promote your specials, highlight new menu items, announce upcoming events, advertise happy hour deals, and more.
With eye-catching designs and compelling messages, table tents can be an effective way to increase your sales and remind your patrons to come back again.
4: Coupons
Coupons are a tried and true marketing strategy that can help bring more diners to your restaurant. Special pricing and discounts help attract new customers and encourage repeat business.
Eye-catching coupons that offer discounts, buy-one-get-one deals, or happy hour specials will get noticed. You can distribute them to potential customers through direct mail campaigns, as inserts in local newspapers, or in your takeout menus.
5: Flyers
Engaging flyers are a versatile and cost-effective way to generate excitement about your restaurant. For instance, flyers are great for giving details on grand openings, holiday events, delivery options, catering services, and more. You can distribute them through the local mail, or place them in high-traffic areas like local shops or community centers.
6: Vinyl Window Graphics
Don’t forget that your restaurant’s windows are prime real estate for advertising. Vinyl window graphics are a cost-efficient way to transform your storefront into an attention-grabbing display. Window graphics that promote your specials will entice passersby to step inside.
And because window vinyl is easy to remove, you can easily change out your designs when a promotion ends. But they’re also long-lasting, so if you prefer, you can create an elegant atmosphere with graphics that make your windows look like etched or frosted glass.
7: A-Frame Signs
Also known as sandwich boards, A-Frame signs are a classic and effective way to attract people passing by on a busy sidewalk. These easily portable signs can showcase daily specials, happy hour deals, upcoming events, or just remind your neighborhood that you’re open. The versatility of A-Frame signs allows you to change your promotions as often as you need to keep your messaging fresh.
8: Car Magnets and Decals
If your restaurant offers catering or delivery services, make sure to take advantage of this mobile advertising opportunity. Car magnets and decals turn your vehicles into moving billboards. They can feature your restaurant’s logo, location, or a catchy slogan in an easy-to-read font. You can reach a wider audience and spread brand awareness while your vehicles are on the move.
Printing Services for Restaurants in Tempe
These print materials can be a powerful addition to your digital marketing efforts. By investing in high quality designs and durable materials, you can bring more customers in through your doors.
At Mousegraphics, we print a wide range of advertising materials for restaurants, from menus to magnets and more. Give us a call at 480-470-7438 to learn more about our services or to request a quote.
Images used under creative commons license – commercial use (9/11/2023). Photo by Louis Hansel on Unsplash