The restaurant business is hard. Of course, if you are already in the business and you own your own restaurant, you know this to be true. Margins tend to be thin, the competition is fierce, and consumer tastes can seemingly change on a whim. There is success to be had here, of course – people have to eat, after all – but the restaurants which come out on top tend to work hard for their place.
If you are going to succeed, it may be necessary at some point to market your restaurant specifically to the millennial generation. As time marches on, this is now the generation which is in the ‘sweet spot’ in terms of buying power. It’s hard to imagine building a successful restaurant operation without connecting to the millennial generation on at least some level.
Let’s take a look at a few tips to consider when trying to grow your base of millennial customers.
Go to Them
One of the keys in marketing – any kind of marketing – is to take your message to the places where your target market is likely to be found. So, where do millennials hang out? Well, on social media platforms, for starters. That’s a great place to build the foundation of your marketing strategy. Also, the millennial generation is arriving at the age where many now have kids of their own, so thinking about the places parents tend to congregate could be beneficial.
A Focus on Health
While this is certainly not true across the board, many in the millennial generation are focused on healthy eating. If your restaurant can manage to offer tasty fare which also fits in with the desires of the crowd who would like to keep their diet healthy, you may carve out a valuable niche. Specifically, offering dishes which meet the needs of those who follow a specific diet – such as vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free, etc. – is a great idea.
Be Present Across the Web
The millennials who fit the stereotype of constantly checking their phones and living on the internet couple potentially find your business in a number of locations. You never quite know where your potential customers are going to wind up on the web, so make sure you are present in as many places as possible. Add your information to online business listings, respond to reviews which are posted on various sites, and more.
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