Summer Heat and Your Restaurant Energy

The month of July is upon us, that means celebrating our independence, fireworks, BBQ’s, and let’s not forget the HEAT! July of 2016 according to NOAA, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, the mean temperatures were the warmest on record for any month dating back to the 1800’s. We can only hope that temperatures this July don’t supersede that of last years.

Not only is it hot outside but your customers are looking to escape the heat, so no more setting that thermostat to 78 degrees. To keep customers happy and spending more time & money in your establishment your going to want to turn that AC down. The problem with that: your employees will want to turn it down as well but much lower than your billfold would allow. Energy costs in summer months rise…gotta love that whole supply and demand scenario. Lock those thermostats and keep them locked, ensure your customers are happy and employees too with a scheduling system for your air conditioning. Click here if you don’t have a scheduling system set up for your current thermostats. 

Some would argue that since the heat is so unbearable their business is affected because no one wants to venture outside in the heat. Here are some tips to help drive business to your restaurant during these summer months from restaurantengine.com.

     1.Post colorful, refreshing drinks online

          Take advantage of Facebook and those Instagram hashtags! There is no better way to lure people in than with the refreshing drinks they don’t have at home!

     2. Update your Website with summer dishes

          Don’t just update the dishes….but add photos. People are visual and love to see what they are getting. You can also add a dish of the day to your Instagram if you don’t already do so.

     3. Offer online ordering to increase business. 

We live in the age of now and convenience. Rarely do people want to call in to place a to go order if they first don’t seek out the option to place it online. This may lessen the amount of phone calls you receive, it also helps that online order tickets are 5-25% larger than phone-in orders. SHOW ME THE $$$!

      4.   Distribute “Order Online!” cards to customers

             This will help spread the word of your new online ordering feature to people who already clearly love your food! Hand them out to current customers, have them on tables, even distribute to nearby business to place in their break room.

      5.   Upgrade your restaurant decor for summer.

Switch up your decor and do something fun and new that screams summer. New outdoor lighting strands or plants that say….you are not in Phoenix’s 120 heat but a balmy 70 in Oahu!

      6.   Set a blogging schedule and stick to it.

             Creating a buzz about your restaurant and the food offered will help only to bring people in. Pick something different everyday, your blog doesn’t have to look like the prologue to “War and Peace” but just enough to satisfy and leave them wanting more. Don’t forget to post pictures and updates on Facebook whenever you do a blog post. Spread the word and let social media help!

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