subject: Indoor Menu Displays are Good for Business - Here's Why [print this page] Indoor Menu Displays are Good for Business - Here's Why
A beautifully displayed menu can be an effective marketing tool both inside and outside your restaurant. Many restaurateurs use outdoor menu cases to attract attention from hungry passerby, but don't think about displaying menus inside their restaurant. The truth is, getting people inside your restaurant is only half the battle. Once your customers are inside, how are you communicating with them?
Having a friendly, helpful staff is one important solution, but if you think about it you will realize that you are missing many important opportunities to communicate with your guests.
Using a menu case indoors can not only draw customers in, but it may also convince someone to splurge on that bottle of wine, order appetizers along with the salad and even save a little room for dessert. Here are some ideas on ways to use indoor menu displays as part of your marketing efforts.
A Bold Menu Display Can Draw Customers In
Many restaurants already have a menu frame in the lobby or foyer. This is the most popular place for an indoor menu case, as customers that have just walked in off the street may want to examine your menu further before deciding to enter and take a seat.
An indoor menu case that is intended to draw people in should make a clear, bold statement that can be viewed from several feet away. Adding a header to your menu case display can be a great way of enticing people to take a closer look at your offerings. A successful header will be short, to the point, and descriptive people that are passing by and looking through the door should immediately be able to get the gist of what you are offering. Some examples: BEST BBQ IN TOWN or BRUNCH BONANZA.
Win the Waiting Game Using Indoor Menu Displays
Part of the restaurant experience is waiting. Of course, you don't want to keep your customers waiting too long, but some wait time is inevitable in any restaurant. One or more indoor restaurant menu displays can keep your customers informed on what you have to offer, especially during this waiting period when customers might be otherwise occupied. The trick to using an indoor restaurant menu display case effectively is placement: menus should be displayed prominently in locations where customers wait.
During peak business hours, for example, customers may have to wait to be seated. Some restaurants encourage customers to wait in the front of the building, sometimes even providing benches to accommodate waiting diners. Why not install a wall mounted display case for menus in the waiting area? Customers will be able to review your offerings and think about what they are going to order. This will take their mind off the wait, while also saving time later on. If customers have the chance to review the menu before they are seated, chances are they will spend less time at the table thinking about what they want.
Some customers prefer to do their waiting at the bar. This is an excellent opportunity to remind them of your wonderful selection of wines and spirits. A lighted menu display will be visible in even the most dimly lit bar and can display a menu of your bar offerings, including wines, spirits, cocktails, and appetizers.
Save Room for Dessert!
If your restaurant has a display case for cakes, pastries and other desserts, you may want to consider placing a menu display nearby. Customers will want to see descriptions and prices of your tasty treats why not oblige them with a special dessert menu prominently displayed in a lighted menu case with header? You might just convince someone to save some room for dessert!
Choosing the Right Restaurant Menu Display Case
However you decide to use your indoor menu display, you should make sure it is attractive and easy to use, but also lockable and secure. With the right plan in place, you can use indoor menu displays as a way to increase communications with your customers and boost sales and efficiency.
