Deciding on Delivery: Should I Sell Takeaway in My Restaurant?
By Steffen Andersen · 10. January 2024
“Should I sell takeaway in my restaurant?”
This pressing question concerns many restaurateurs looking to adapt to changing consumer habits and market demands.
Takeaway services could unlock🔓 new revenue streams and cater to a growing segment of customers seeking convenience.
Through this article, we’ll explore if this model suits your restaurant’s capabilities and goals.
Key Takeaways
- Introducing takeaway services can boost a restaurant’s revenue by appealing to convenience-seeking customers, broadening the customer base with online ordering and loyalty programs, and improving sales with a well-priced menu.
- When creating a takeaway menu, it’s vital to pick dishes that travel well and strike a balance between variety and simplicity to ensure dishes maintain their quality and the menu remains easy-to-navigate for customers.
- Effective marketing of takeaway services involves leveraging social media, creating engaging content, and utilizing offline advertising, as well as establishing collaborations with influencers to amplify reach and attract more customers.
The Benefits of Offering Takeaway Services
The rise of the takeout business has revolutionized the food industry.
Restaurants can greatly profit from the not just trendy but lucrative venture of offering takeaway🥡 services.
With the average monthly spend on takeaways in the UK rising by 39% since the Covid-era, there’s no denying that integrating delivery services could be a game-changer.
This delivery service caters to convenience-seeking customers and has the potential to broaden your customer base, thereby boosting your revenue and profitability.
Catering to Convenience-Seeking Customers
In a world where convenience is king, takeaway businesses are thriving.
Restaurants that offer quick and easy meals are appealing to the busy, time-crunched population.
Meeting the needs of individuals who prefer quick meals can be achieved by setting up an online ordering system, customizing meals, and personalizing the ordering experience.
From paninis and pizzas🍕 to burgers and sandwiches🥪, there’s a wealth of options that travel well and fit perfectly into the fast-paced rhythm of your customers’ lives.
Expanding Your Customer Base
Beyond convenience, offering takeaway services is a fantastic way to reach a wider audience.
Using demographic research, you can tailor your menu, service, and marketing to appeal to specific customer groups.
Attracting new customers who value the convenience of ordering takeaway from local establishments can be achieved by joining forces with food delivery companies and taking advantage of online ordering.
Boosting🚀 Revenue and Profitability
The growing demand for on-the-go meals, including hot food, brings a lucrative opportunity for the food business, especially restaurants offering takeaway services and partnering with a food delivery company.
Restaurants that have adapted to the takeaway trend have seen an increase in sales, reaching different types of customers and maximizing sales opportunities.
Takeaway also has the potential to increase profitability by speeding up food preparation without adding extra costs such as rent and labor for commercial premises.
Plus, with a well-priced menu featuring popular takeaway items like pizzas and burgers, your takeaway sales at your takeaway restaurant, also known as a takeaway shop, could see a substantial boost🚀.
Curating a Takeaway-Friendly Menu
Curating a menu that travels well is a key consideration when venturing into the takeaway business.
This involves a delicate balance between variety and simplicity, ensuring that each dish maintains its quality during transport, while also appealing to a wide range of tastes.
Selecting Dishes That Travel Well
Considering the travel-friendliness of each dish is important when curating your takeaway menu. Certain foods, like:
- barbecue
- pizza
- fried chicken
- pasta
- noodles
- rice’n’curry
- sandwiches
maintain their quality even after being taken away. These items are not only popular among customers but also ensure that the quality of your food is not compromised during transit.
Balancing Variety and Simplicity
Balancing variety and simplicity is essential for a successful takeaway menu.
While you want to cater to various tastes, an overloaded menu can be overwhelming for customers and challenging for your kitchen staff.
Aim for a streamlined menu📜🍔 with about 5-7 menu categories and no more than 30-40 items in total.
This approach not only makes decision-making easier for your customers but also allows for efficient food preparation.
Highlighting Signature Dishes and Special Offers
The unique offerings and enticing deals of your restaurant should be featured prominently in your takeaway menu.
Whether it’s your signature double-double burger or a limited-time chips takeaway deal, these should be placed prominently on your online menu to attract prospective buyers.
Moreover, seasonal specials and limited-time promotions give customers a reason to keep coming back.
Run promotions before and after peak times, offer a free menu item, or add special touches to enhance the takeaway experience.
These strategies not only keep your menu exciting but also help boost your takeaway sales.
Designing Attractive Food Packaging
Designing attractive food packaging is the next step once the menu is well-curated.
Good food packaging is not just about aesthetics; it’s a reflection of your brand identity and a testament to your commitment to sustainability.
Whether you opt for paper, cardboard, Kraft board, Bagasse, or any other material, your packaging should be functional, sustainable, and, most importantly, appealing to your customers.
Incorporating Your Brand Identity
Consider your food packaging as a canvas for your brand.
From the colors and fonts to the logo and tagline, every element should resonate with your brand identity.
This consistency not only strengthens brand recognition but also leaves a lasting impression on your customers.
Personalized messages, fun😎 quizzes, or interesting facts about your restaurant can make your takeaway packaging more engaging and memorable.
Prioritizing Functionality and Sustainability
While aesthetics matter, the heart of your packaging design should prioritize functionality and sustainability. The packaging should:
- Be easy to handle
- Protect the food
- Maintain its temperature
- Prevent any spillage during transit
Sustainability, on the other hand, is a reflection of your restaurant’s commitment to the environment.
Opting for biodegradable🌱 or compostable materials not only reduces your environmental footprint but also resonates with eco-conscious customers.
Exploring Different Types of takeaway packaging Materials
The choice of packaging material largely depends on the type of food you serve, your budget, and your sustainability goals. Especially whether the purpose of the product is to ship the food/drink hot or cold.
Almost all packaging for takeaway is made in plastic or paper as it is for single use, where there are some different sustainability aspects.
Paper is easy to degrade in nature, but consumes more co2 when produced – whereas plastic uses the least amount of the co2 when produced, and plastic is recyclable.
Therefore, you should not be afraid to use either or for your takeaway restaurant, but more look for what food you serve – and ensure it has the right size.
Implementing Effective Marketing Strategies
The next step, once your takeaway services are in place, is to spread the word.
Effective marketing📣 is crucial to the success of your takeaway business.
From leveraging social media platforms and creating engaging content to utilizing offline advertising channels, there are countless ways to promote your takeaway services and attract more customers.
Leveraging Social Media Platforms
Harness the power of social media platforms like Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok to reach a broad audience and interact with your customers.
Regularly posting mouth-watering pictures of your dishes, running contests, and highlighting special promotions can create buzz around your takeaway services.
Engaging with customers’ comments and messages can further enhance the customer experience and foster a sense of community.
Creating Engaging Content and Promotions
Enticing customers to order takeaways from your restaurant hinges on creating engaging content and promotions. Some ideas for creating engaging content and promotions include:
- Sharing mouth-watering photos of your dishes
- Creating behind-the-scenes videos of your kitchen and staff
- Featuring customer testimonials and reviews
- Offering seasonal promotions and discounts
By diversifying your content and reflecting your brand, you can attract more customers to order takeaways from your restaurant.
Regularly changing your promotions can also keep your customers interested. Consider running special deals for holidays, launching limited-time offers, or even offering a free meal in exchange for customer promotions.
These strategies not only create a sense of urgency but also incentivize customers to order from your restaurant.
Utilizing Offline Advertising Channels
The power of traditional offline advertising should not be underestimated, despite the crucial role of digital marketing. Some effective offline advertising strategies for your restaurant include:
- Flyers: Distribute flyers in the local community to grab the attention of potential customers.
- Posters: Display posters in strategic locations to increase visibility and attract customers.
- Local events: Participate in or sponsor local events to engage with the community and promote your restaurant.
Coupled with compelling visuals and enticing offers, offline advertising can be a cost-effective way to boost your takeaway sales.
Collaborating with Influencers and Bloggers
In the age of social media, influencers and bloggers hold immense marketing potential.
Joining forces with influencers and bloggers that resonate with your restaurant’s brand can boost your visibility, elevate your brand image, and attract more customers to your takeaway services.
Finding the Right Influencers for Your Restaurant
It’s critical to identify influencers that are a good fit for your restaurant. Here are some steps to follow:
- Look for influencers whose followers match your target demographic.
- Look for influencers whose content aligns with your brand’s values and aesthetics.
- Engage with their content, show genuine interest in their work, and build a relationship before reaching out with a collaboration proposal.
Establishing Mutually Beneficial Partnerships
Establishing a mutually beneficial partnership🤝 is the next step after identifying potential influencers. Some ways to do this include:
- Offering a complimentary meal in return for an honest review
- Collaborating on a giveaway or contest
- Inviting the influencer to a special event or menu tasting
- Providing exclusive discounts or promotions for the influencer’s followers
These strategies can create a win-win situation, where the influencer gets to enjoy a free experience or benefit, while your restaurant gets exposure to their followers.
Measuring the Impact of Influencer Collaborations
Engagement metrics like:
- Likes
- Comments
- Shares
- A spike in takeaway sales
can measure the success of influencer collaborations. Keeping track of these metrics can help you understand the effectiveness of your influencer marketing campaigns and make data-driven decisions to improve future collaborations.
Providing a Comfortable Waiting Area
The customer experience is as important as the food itself. Ensuring a pleasant experience for your takeaway customers can leave a lasting impression and contribute to customer loyalty.
From creating a welcoming atmosphere to offering outdoor seating and shelter options, every detail counts in making your customers’ wait worthwhile.
Creating a Welcoming Atmosphere
It’s crucial to foster a welcoming atmosphere in the waiting area. The decor, lighting, and seating arrangements all contribute to the overall vibe of the area.
Whether it’s a cozy corner with dim lighting or a vibrant space with lively colors, the waiting area should reflect your restaurant’s style and make your customers feel at ease as they wait for their orders.
Offering Outdoor Seating and Shelter Options
Especially in pleasant weather, outdoor seating can enhance your customers’ waiting experience. However, it’s important to provide shelter options such as gazebos or outdoor dining shelters to ensure comfort in all weather conditions.
This not only enhances the customer experience but also shows your commitment to customer comfort and convenience.
Summary
Embracing the takeaway trend can open up a world of opportunities for your restaurant. From expanding your customer base and boosting revenue to enhancing the customer experience and building a strong brand, the benefits are manifold.
As you embark on this journey, remember to keep your customers at the heart of your decisions and strive to offer a seamless and enjoyable takeaway experience.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do takeaway owners make?
Takeaway owners typically have profit margins ranging from 3% to 5% of sales, but this can vary based on factors like location and operational efficiency.
Is opening a takeaway profitable?
Yes, opening a takeaway can be profitable, as the food business is currently a lucrative investment opportunity. So, it could be a great way to start your own business and supplement your income.
Is a take away a restaurant?
Yes, a takeaway is considered a type of restaurant where you can buy hot cooked food to eat elsewhere. It’s a convenient option for enjoying a meal on the go.
How can I increase sales in my takeaway business?
To increase sales in your takeaway business, consider using your capacity effectively, creating a takeout-specific menu, prioritizing appealing packaging, and offering desserts.
Additionally, conducting market research, leveraging social media, and tapping into the growing grab-and-go market can also help boost sales.
Another important aspect is to ask for customer feedback and adjust your services, menu, and packaging based on their preferences. This simple approach can help guarantee more takeaway sales.
What are the benefits of offering takeaway services in my restaurant?
Offering takeaway services in your restaurant can increase your customer base, cater to convenience-seeking customers, and boost your revenue and profitability.
It’s a great way to expand your reach and cater to busy individuals looking for a quick meal on the go.
