How Can Restaurant Customer’s Data Help for Increased Profits?

Deliberately or indeliberately, your restaurant collects a lot of data every day from internal (point of sale , employees, customer feedback) and external sources (customer profiles, social media). However, most restaurant owners do not realize that they are sitting on a goldmine of data, and hence, don’t use it to their advantage. This data is not just numbers, but powerful information which if identified, tracked and optimized, can help improve performance, give you a competitive edge, align products and services to customer preferences, and actually reap you profits.

Take the example of Starbucks, the world’s largest coffee shop has over 6 million registered customers in 21000 stores across 62 countries. Not only this, it has an ever growing number of drinking combinations and serves 4 billion cups annually. Just imagine the kind of data Starbucks creates! Starbucks collects data on when and what customers order. It helps it to provide them with personalized offers on their favourite coffee, and thus, stay at the top of the game.

Let’s see how you would process your customer data in a way that will convert it into actionable insights and drive revenues for your restaurant.

Optimize Your Menu

You already have a lot of data about your customers’ preferences. This means that you can see which food items are the most popular in your restaurant and which ones are almost never or hardly ordered. Basis this information, you can make sure you have enough of those food items on your busy nights. It also tells you which items do not work and should be taken off the menu and replaced with more profitable choices. These changes in the menu will help you manage your restaurant inventory better, avoid food waste and decide which menu items to promote.

Asimot App uses the data collected by your Point of Sale to generate in-depth reports. You can easily monitor which are the most and the least ordered dish in the menu, at what time do the most sales occur, etc. Use these data to redesign the menu and special offers to attract customers. You can also gather item-wise reporting to monitor the performance of each dish in the menu through the Feedback App.

Enhance Customer Relationships

When customers walk in your restaurant, you can collect information like purchasing habits, preferences, demographics, and personal information like names, addresses, phone numbers and email addresses. You can use this information to build long lasting customer relationships with the help of your CRM software, and thus drive more sales.

• Offer Loyalty Programs

According to a recent study, it was found that 44 percent of consumers participate in loyalty/rewards programs at limited-service restaurants, and about a third have signed up for programs at one or more full-service restaurants. Eight of 10 participants said they were more likely to frequent a restaurant if they are part of its loyalty program. Hence, restaurant can build loyalty programs to create guest loyalty.

• Offer Rewards

You can send your new customer’s emails that include a discount or a generic coupon of a free appetizer on their next visit thus encouraging them to return. However, for your regular customers, you can personalize this reward by offering them a free order of their favorite appetizer on their next visit to show your appreciation for their continued patronage.

•Give Preference to Your Regular Customers

Everyone knows the Pareto principle (the 80/20 rule). So when applied to your restaurant business, it means that 80 percent of your restaurant’s sales come from 20 percent of your customers. Now, though you would want to focus your attention on all your customers, you would still want to give preference to your repeat and loyal customers. That’s a wise business decision and something that your customer data would help you make. So, on your busy days, when all your tables are going to be booked, invite your loyal customers to book their tables first. Incentivize them to celebrate their special occasions (by emailing or calling them in advance) at your venue.

• Encourage Off-hour Visits

Using the data on your repeat customers, you can encourage them to visit the restaurant or lounge during the off hours and offer them discounts only during that time period. It will help you fill tables and keep your regular patrons happy.

• Surprise with Spontaneous Rewards

Sending guests an email with a discount shows your appreciation. However, you can make it count more if you offer spontaneous rewards to your unsuspecting guests. For a first time guest (as you can find out from the history of your CRM system), offer an incentive in the form of a 10% discount or a free dessert to tempt them to make a second visit.

You can also monitor your restaurant business from anytime, anywhere through Asimot App Mobile Reporting Feature.