How to Use Discounts to Increase Revenue

Running a restaurant is about balancing great food, exceptional service, and a steady flow of guests. But what happens when traffic slows down? That’s where discounts come in. They’re a proven way to attract diners, reward loyalty, and boost your bottom line.

With Eat App’s Payment Discount Suite, creating smart, effective discount campaigns has never been easier. Let’s look into how you can use discounts strategically to drive revenue and get your restaurant to succeed.

Eat App Discount Feature

Why discounts are a game-changer for restaurants

Done right, discounts are about more than just lowering prices. They:

Drive Traffic During Slow Hours: Turn quiet afternoons into busy dining periods.
Create Repeat Customers: Reward loyalty and give guests a reason to return.
Increase Immediate Cash Flow: Use pre-payment discounts to generate upfront revenue.
Encourage Bigger Orders: Motivate guests to spend more with tiered discounts or group offers.

Types of Discounts (and how they work)

The Eat App Payment Discount Suite gives you flexibility in how you set up discounts:

Flat Discounts: A fixed amount is taken off the total bill.
Example: “Save R50 on your meal today!”
Percentage Discounts: A percentage of the bill is discounted.
Example: “Enjoy 20% off all dinner orders.”

These discounts can be applied in two ways:

Auto-applied Discounts: Set specific rules (time of day, spend thresholds, etc.), and the discount applies automatically at checkout.
Discount Codes: Generate unique codes that guests can redeem, ideal for targeted campaigns.

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How to use discounts to drive revenue

1. Fill Tables During Slow Hours

Offer time-based discounts to incentivize guests to dine during non-peak periods.
Example: “Lunch Special: Get 25% off all menu items from 12 PM to 3 PM.”

2. Reward Loyal Customers

Guests love feeling valued. Use loyalty data to reward frequent diners with personalized offers.
Example: “We miss you! Come back for 15% off your next visit.”

3. Run Seasonal Promotions

Seasonal discounts tied to holidays or events can help you stay relevant and attract groups.
Example: “Valentine’s Day Special: Two mains and dessert for R300.”

4. Boost Pre-Payments

Offer discounts for guests who pay in advance. It’s a great way to secure bookings and reduce no-shows.
Example: “Pre-pay for your table and get 10% off your total bill.”

5. Encourage Larger Orders

Tiered discounts can motivate guests to order more, increasing your average spend per table.
Example: “Spend R500 or more and get 15% off.”

6. Promote New Items or Menus

Discounts are a great way to get guests to try something new.
Example: “Get R20 off any dish from our new vegan menu.”

Why Use Eat App for your discount strategy?

The Eat App Payment Discount Suite makes managing discounts simple, effective, and stress-free.

Here’s what sets it apart:

Flexible Discount Options: Choose flat or percentage discounts, auto-applied or code-based.
Automated Loyalty Rewards: Trigger discounts for milestones like visit frequency or birthdays.
Zero Commissions: Keep 100% of your revenue, payments go directly to your bank.
Personalized Messaging: Send tailored offers to specific customer segments.
Effortless Tracking: Monitor how your discounts are performing and adjust strategies as needed.

Real-life example: how discounts work wonders

Let’s say you notice a slowdown in bookings on weekday evenings. You create a campaign offering 20% off all dinner orders from Monday to Thursday after 6 PM.

Here’s how it plays out:

Immediate Results: Guests take advantage of the offer, filling tables that might have stayed empty.
Increased Loyalty: New diners who love their experience return, even without discounts.
Higher Revenue: The discount gets more people through the door, and many guests end up ordering extras like drinks and desserts.

How to get started with Eat App

Sign in to your Eat App account.
Create Your Discount: Set up flat or percentage discounts with clear rules for application.
Promote Your Offer: Use Eat App to send personalized emails or messages to guests about the deal.
Track Success: Use the Eat App dashboard to measure redemption rates and revenue impact.

Not a user yet? But you would like to explore how this new feature works? Request a demo today!

Pricing

The Payment Discount Suite is currently free for restaurants with the pre-payment feature enabled. Starting in May 2025, it will be included in the Pro Package or available as a $19/month add-on.

Final thoughts

Discounts aren’t just a way to cut prices; they’re a way to boost revenue, reward loyalty, and stand out in a competitive market. With Eat App’s Payment Discount Suite, you have everything you need to create, manage, and optimize discounts effortlessly.

Ready to fill your tables and grow your revenue?
Start Using Eat App Today