Keep Your Customers

• 1. During this tough economy, do not panic: It makes much more sense to expand an existing program than to roll out several new ones.

• 2. Remember: "It costs five times as much to find a new customer, than it does to keep your existing customers. It's all about retention, not "acquisition" You need to concentrate on your loyal customer, to keep them coming back more often. Therefore, your marketing should be geared towards them not towards getting new customers.

•3.      Try not to pass on all your higher costs to your customers, by reducing portions or raising prices, you should concentrate on your portion controls for both food and liquor, and also teaching the wait staff how to up sell. "Watch out for the pennies and the Dollars will take care of themselves"

• 4. Teach your staff that great food is not the only thing that brings your customers in; they want great service and a great dining experience. It is up to you to train your staff to give outstanding service and give the customer that "Outstanding Experience" Learn the names of your guest, and greet and then thank them by their name.

• 5. Be very carful when using coupons, they don't bring back customers as you may think, in fact they may devalue your whole menu. You are much better off to offer something free, such as an appetizer or dessert. By offering something free, it gives the customer a great feeling that they feel very important and will appreciate it.

• 6. One good way to boost your customer count is to offer special menus for the Kids, as the kids bring the parents.