Review websites can produce mixed feelings in restaurant owners. Sites such as Tripadvisor, Yelp and Zomato give consumers a platform to express feedback, which they don’t always mention while they’re in a restaurant. And in some cases, you may feel you come unfairly under fire.  

If a potential customer went looking for your restaurant on the Internet, how easy would it be for them to find you? Search engine optimization is an incredibly important part of restaurant marketing. It helps to channel customers to information about your business and will hopefully play a part in helping them to make a booking with you or walk through your doors.

Restaurant branding is something you need to consider before opening your doors or launching any marketing to promote your restaurant. Get it right and all elements of your marketing campaigns and even how you run your restaurant and train your staff will become far more intuitive.

Do you really know the exact cost of every item on your menu? Or, like many restaurateurs, do you determine your menu prices based on what competitor’s charge, a set cost percentage applied to every menu item, or some other non-precise method? Pricing is an essential part of creating a successful menu so it's worth spending time to get this right.

One of the most overlooked aspects of a budding restaurant is its development of a social media footprint.  This is a rough grey area that many either find too difficult to navigate or believe that it is not necessary, and do not want to change and adapt. 

While social media isn’t a must for all restaurants, it is certainly useful for those starting out or looking to drive revenue.  The fact of the matter is that social media is here to stay, and if you want to cater to the next generation of “foodies”, then it is essential. 

The online space is by no means an easy place to be for restaurants… better yet, for anybody.  If you're a restaurant marketer or operator, chances are you've already taken all the necessary steps to set up your social media profiles, made sure you have interesting content to post regularly, and most importantly have an inventory of high quality photos to represent your restaurant online.

A good floor plan can truly make the difference in your restaurant. In terms of restaurant management, it not only makes things easier on your staff, but looks appealing to customers and works well during all hours of business. 

A good company culture, and core values, are something that started in corporate America in the 80s, and have since expanded into the entire professional field.  Many think of added perks in the workplace when trying to picture creating a happier work environment, but restaurants are in reality a whole different beast. 

Food cost is one of the biggest costs involved of running a restaurant, and therefore controlling and accounting for that cost is important.  

Check our guides below for controlling food cost.

9 Tips for Effective Restaurant Accounting (Free Restaurant Profit and Loss Template)

Thinking of opening a restaurant? There are many things to consider.

8 Simple Ideas for Your Restaurant Grand Opening (Free Downloadable Invitation Template)