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How to Increase Restaurant Sales By Using WordPress

Apr 21, 2023

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You're incredible. Your restaurant business is intact following the outbreak. You've proven your mettle and demonstrated a lot of grit and business acumen. Which is probably why you're there!

Costs are rising and a slowing economic growth could cause other business owners to put their heads in the sand, but you're different. You know you need to remain proactive and forward-thinking to improve sales in your restaurant and keep business booming.

This tutorial will show you how to configure your WordPress site to receive orders with no third-party platform. Then, you can take back complete control over online order.

We'll also help you unlock the potential that your web presence and the community can bring to your company.

Learn how to get the most value from your WordPress website and make money from the membership movement which is taking the restaurant sector by storm.

The tools you'll need

If your website serves as an online platform to post your menu, and also offer contact details for reservations You're in need of catch-up to do. However, that's fine.

It just takes a few plugins and connections to turn your WordPress website into a powerful marketing tool that can compete with big chains.

Best of all it's super easy with a little inside information. It doesn't require a lot of technical skills to pull this off.

WordPress and  and have made it simple for people who are not tech-savvy to operate their businesses online. It is not necessary to program.

Here are the tools that you need:

  1. WordPress: The most used CMS for managing content (CMS) that powers around 810 million websites.
  2. Easy Affiliate This is the "all-in-one" Affiliate program plug-in for WordPress

How to Increase Restaurant Sales With WordPress

Step 1: Choose the WordPress Host and Theme.

If you're not already running an WordPress website (sorry it's a shame that the most popular websites like Wix and SquareSpace don't come with the required features) you first need to pick a host.

When you've registered your domain you'll be required to choose an WordPress theme to design your restaurant.

Step 2. Install the plugin

It is one of the most well-known WordPress Membership and monetization plugin because of. Its growing library of add-ons and integrations makes it highly customizable, so it is possible to create the ideal subscription program for your clients.

watch >> for instructions on how to install wordpress

You can do:

  • take advantage of the rising trend in the restaurant industry of subscription-based services which offer monthly or yearly fees,
  • boost sales at restaurants through incentive programs for loyalty, or member-only discounts increase sales at restaurants through loyalty incentives or discounts for members onlyfor regular diners.
  • to create a network with valued customers.

There are many chains of all sizes that are taking advantage of subscription service. We'll look deeper into the ways restaurants that are all kinds of sizes are taking advantage of their websites to create innovative membership programs.

Step 3: Install WPCafe and WooCommerce The Plugins

You've put in a lot of effort to design an excellent menu, offer outstanding service and increase your base of customers. Why, then, should the third party platforms charge outrageous charges and commissions?

DoorDash costs a staggering 30% for their complete marketing plan. However, even if you choose to choose to not participate in their marketing plan and instead pay a 15 percentdelivery charge, your company is being promoted alongside those who are competing.

So you could send your customers to third-party applications. Who's to say that you'll not lose to the competitors investing in marketing priorities?

What's more, you're subject to these platforms' changing policies and terms.

With WPCafe it's easy to upload your menu. determine your hours of operation and the number of reservations available, cancellation policies, and more.

With WPCafe and WooCommerce You can keep your full autonomy and controlover your business operations for a half the price of hosted platforms.

Step 4: Upload Your Menu

It's now time to the menu items you want to add.

In WooCommerce under the category Products add descriptions. add categories and tags for example, starter, main, soft drink, cocktail, gluten-free, vegetarian, etc.

You also have the option to upload images of your food items so that people are able to see the food they're eating.

Step 5: Build customer loyalty with a membership Program

Now you have all you require to run your restaurant on the internet without third party platform, now it's time to get creative and think of ways to create the loyalty of your customers.

Here's a happy statistic: a 5% increment in loyalty to customers generates greater than 25% growth in revenue.

It pays to keep existing customers returning.

 But customer loyalty is in crisis.

Costs are rising and changing how consumers feel about the brands they love.

Here are some not-so-happy stats About a third (30%) of people say that the price hikes affect their confidence in the brands they trust, and 22% believe their loyalties are declining.

Businesses need to find ways to create value (or at least perceived value) for their valued customers. And membership programs could be the solution.

With a membership plan that rewards repeat business with exclusive offers and online content. You can also make use of your platform to cross-sell or upsell products and drinks.

Keep an eye out for helpful tips and examples of successful membership programs.

This type of arrangement provides predictable and reliable income - that makes budgeting and forecasting a lot easier.

Plus, if you offer various levels of membership, customers can upgrade their packages as they become more engaged in your establishment.

All of this is possible and can be done with ease.

Step 6: Create the Snowball Effect With Simple Affiliate

In the industry of restaurants, improving customer loyalty has an additional effect, which increases overall sales: it brings more customers in!

Food outings are social. This is what differentiates restaurants from, for instance, grocery outlets. The majority of people want to find a great place to eat and then share the experience with their loved ones, friends or spouse.

That's why the importance of customer loyalty is especially importantin the restaurant industry; keep your patrons coming back, and they'll bring more and more people along with them. Remain loyal to their guests, and they'll bring additional guests with them.

Well look at that, you have what's called an snowball effect!

Membership programs can enhance this"snowball" effect. Give rewards to guests who bring friends or family members into your establishments and make them sign up for the program as well.

So you're not just making sure your customers are returning as well as bringing new customers through the door.

 Affili-what?

An affiliate program is where you can earn a reward for sharing your business with other people. Each "affiliate" is given an individual URL to your website. If someone buys or signs up for membership through their link, you are able to give them a reward!

Through Easy Affiliate, you'll have the ability to be rewarding your members for inviting their friends and family to join. This is how to do it.

  1. Include Easy Affiliate's plugin on your WordPress dashboard
  2. Within the WordPress dashboard, click the Easy Affiliate menu > Setting.
  3. Click on from the Affiliates tab.
  4. Then, where it says "Registration Typeat at the top, select the Private option.
  5. Switch on Auto-Add Affiliates so new members receive an affiliate link for your website.
  6. Go to The Advanced tab.
  7. Modify the Welcome Emailto explain how everything functions to your customers.
  8. You can also select and modify the Send Affiliate Sale Emailto automatically send an email that contains an example of an incentive voucher when a person signs up using their promotional code.

Note: Easy Affiliate is designed to give affiliates a monetary commission on each sale from their unique hyperlink. If you'd prefer to offer vouchers to customers who can be used in the restaurant, be sure you amend the settings and the T&Cs to reflect that.

Ideas to Reward Members and increase sales at restaurants

Incentivize Frequent Diners With Special Discounts

Remember, by keeping loyal customers sweet and loyal, you'll save money in the long run.

If you're nervous about squeezing your margins already very tight Offer discounts on items from the menu that have significant markups, such as beverages and food items.

Set minimum orders

It is also possible to set an order minimum (e.g. free drinks when you spend $X on the main) to make sure you're not missing out on the offer.

Have a happy hour for members only

Or you could run members-only happy hour specials to drive sales in slower periods. Whatever makes the most sense for your company while increasing the perceived value of your customers.

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Make sure the house always is the winner!

Get Strategic to Increase Order Size

Having a restaurant membership program offers many opportunities to boost sales and up-sell or cross-sell products.

 It's the time to be strategic.

Think about how you can utilize promotions from your membership program to get customers to spend more.

A common method is one way is to utilize combos or packages offers. Someone who normally orders a main and a soft drink worth $20 may be attracted by a combo deal with wine and dessert worth $28.

You can make use of data from previous customer purchases to target deals based on items they've bought previously.

If, for instance, a patron typically orders the same dish when you visit, give discounts on wine that goes well with the dish. You can also offer a special deal on a higher-priced meal with the same flavor profile.

It's possible that you'll discover an entirely new favourite, more expensive order that they'll keep coming back to.

Create an Exclusive Online Hub

A membership program doesn't have to be just about deals and discounts. It can also be an area where customers feel respected and are part of a prestigious community.

Installation setup is simple and quick, and bbPress offers you an admin panel that is unified, where you can easily control and moderate forums.

If your customers are getting the most out of their membership, the longer they'll stick in your restaurant. It's a win-win for both of the parties.

Five Examples of Membership Programs to Increase Restaurant Sales

1. Drink Clubs

With their high markup, relatively low cost, and high perceived value, drinks can be a good choice for offers and memberships.

Provide them with discounted drinks and guess where they're choosing to eat out? at your establishment, of course.

Below are three examples of companies who have designed their membership programs around alcohol:

 Cooper's Hawk Wine Club

Cooper's Hawk restaurant offers monthly membership for their wine club.

The members can take home 3 bottles of the restaurant's "wine each month" along with tasting notes and pairing dishes.

They can choose between red, white, sweet, or the variety of wine clubs based on their preferences. The members can enjoy wine in-house with their meals or order them to be delivered.

Members can also avail a range of other offers such as a $15 birthday reward 10 percent off take-out or catering and also discounts on wine tastings.

Cooper's Hawk also offers gift membership! It's a great choice for those who love wine and corporate gifts. It's an excellent way to boost sales at restaurants and to introduce new clients to their company.

Boris and Horton Coffee Club

East Village's very first pet-friendly café provides a coffee subscription every month.

The members get eight drinks a month (which typically costs between $40 and $45) for $25.

The membership plan works especially for small independent companies that have a strong community, like B&H's dog-loving patrons.

 Panera Sip Club

Panera launched the $8.99/month unlimited coffee subscription back in February 2020 to massive popularity. In July of that same calendar year the number of loyalty members had exceeded 40 million..

Three years later, Panera has extended its offer to include a range of hot and cold drinks.

In an interview in an interview with Fast Casual, Panera's chief brand and concept officer Eduardo Luz, explains how the company's free beverage model:

"Subscription services can be considered table stakes in many other fields, and coffee was a product we saw fitting into that model for a better and affordable alternative [...] as well as providing a recurring revenue stream."

2. Frequent Diner Membership

This model is a membership system, diners are charged a fee for access to specials and discounts. The more diners eat at your restaurant, the more they can save and the more business they bring to you - everyone wins!

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Everyone gets to win!

 Blood & Sand

In St. Louis restaurant Blood & Sand, members pay $15 for access to numerous discounts, including

  • Discount of 20% on their bills
  • 30% off wine on the go
  • Complimentary sparkling wine and appetizer
  • Bonus for new members signing up
  • Tables of preference
  • Midweek reservations with guaranteed bookings
  • Complimentary cocktails on every 10th visit

3. A VIP, Exclusive Experience

In this type of model it is possible for members to pay more to feel extra special. It's not about creating the value of your customers, but rather, providing them an all-out, luxury, premium service.

 M Den

Within London, Gaucho steakhouse and M restaurants have partnered the in the creation of M Den, a private member's club that offers exclusive deals and invitations.

A year-long membership at all venues costs PS1000 (about around $1240) and also includes offers for VIP members such as:

  • A call to attend the "M means Monaco" Formula 1 Grand Prix weekend race.
  • A personalized bottle of a premium spirit of their choice.
  • Exclusive Members Lounge access for events once each year.
  • Restaurant reservations that are guaranteed as well as a VIP telephone line.
  • Unlimited Members Lounge access to five guests or more.
  • Four tickets for exclusive events featuring sports stars.
  • Monthly social gatherings.
  • Complete concierge services to help with travel, accommodation and events.

Members also get access to The Portal - the online portal that provides details of forthcoming events as well as other benefits.

4. Community-Supported Restaurant Memberships (CSR)

This is a fantastic alternative for restaurants that are in need of cash upfront. The concept is on similar lines to GoFundMe or Kickstarter However, this is targeted at restaurant owners.

Patrons pay an upfront sum in order to exchange the exact amount (or greater) for food or services in the future.

Benefit from immediate infusion of capital that can help fund things like refurbishments or expansions, and your customers benefit from higher profits.

 Lenoir

The Austin-based Lenoir restaurant offers patrons an opportunity to join of their CSR.

They offer 3 different levels of investing:

  • $1000 gets you $1200 on their house account.
  • A $2000 amount will get you a $2500 credit on the house account.
  • The $5,000 amount will grant the homeowner a house account of $3,000 for a 5-course, private all-inclusive dinner for 8 people at your home or in their dining space ($3,000 value) two free sharpenings of knives, first access to events, as well as first reservations.

5. Content Hub Membership

If your restaurant has solid branding, with traditional roots for its food, you have the perfect recipe to create an engaging website that provides members with content.

Make behind-the-scenes video tutorials that share recipes, cooking techniques Food stories, pairing ideas.

 L'Oca d'Oro

Also based in Austin the restaurant L'Oca d'Oro in Austin is a restaurant that has won awards. a strong connection and branding around the Italian food.

There are two subscription options available through their website. Food lovers will opt for Fiore's Regional Pasta Club, priced at $90 per month, while those who want to become Sommeliers can choose the Wine Share Club at $65/month.

Each month, participants who belong to The Pasta Club not only receive ingredients and pantry essentials, but they also get to experience Italian traditions.

The members join Chef Fiore Tedesco on a tour of the cities and countries which inspired his food while sharing tales and recipes along the way.

L'Oca d'Oro combines subscription deals and online content for an exclusive and unique experience for its members.

We hope these examples inspire you to create a membership program that gives you a reward for loyalty, generates regular revenue and eventually increases sales.

Conclusion

We've shown you how it's done, and is now your turn!

It is important to configure your website for delivery orders so you're not at the mercy of hosted third-party platforms. Get back your independence by using WPCafe.

Then it's time to get imaginative! Think strategically about which types of membership programs works best for your restaurant and get that revenue pumping!

This is a quick reminder of the actions you must take to increase restaurant sales on your website:

  1.   Pick the WordPress host and theme.  
  2.   Install the plugin.  
  3.    Add WPCafe and WooCommerce plugins.
  4.   Upload your menu.  
  5.   Create customer loyalty through the help of a program for membership.  
  6.   Create the snowball effect using Easy Affiliate.  

Have you come across some interesting restaurants' membership programs? Are you able to offer suggestions for how you can increase revenue at restaurants by using WordPress? Tell us about it via the comment section below.

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Revenues for your restaurant can be increased with your self-hosted membership program.