How to Increase Restaurant Sales: 5 Tips for Your Team
How You Can Contribute to Revenue
Increasing restaurant revenue isn’t just a management issue. Especially when it comes to service, your demeanor plays a key role in determining how much a guest orders and whether they’ll return. In this article, you’ll learn five simple steps you and your team can take to boost revenue on the job.
How can I increase sales at my restaurant?
There are three ways to increase revenue: more guests, higher prices, or more revenue per guest. You have little control over the first two in your day-to-day work. However, you can directly influence revenue per guest by providing good service.
| Leverage for Higher Revenue | Who controls it? |
| More guests | Marketing & Operations Management |
| Higher Prices | Operations Management |
| Higher revenue per guest | You and your service team |
5 Tips for Increasing Revenue in the Service Department
#1 Actively Recommend and Offer
“Would you like to end your meal with dessert?” Asking proactively leads to more sales: About one-third of guests order dessert when it’s offered. Know your menu and recommend appropriate drinks or courses — in a friendly, but never pushy, manner. Upselling is and always will be your most powerful tool in customer service.
#2 Use Digital Systems
Today's guests prefer things to be hassle-free. A simple, digital reservation and payment system streamlines operations and gives you more time to provide personalized service at the table.
#3 Highlight specials not listed on the menu
Seasonal specials or a creative welcome aperitif give guests a reason to order. Actively draw your guests' attention to current specials — this boosts sales and lifts the mood.
#4 Turning Guests into Regulars
Friendly, approachable service leaves a lasting impression. When people feel welcome, they'll come back. Regular customers are the most cost-effective way to increase sales: they come in regularly, order more often, and recommend you to others.
#5 Keep an eye on the atmosphere and the music
Lighting, music, and ambiance influence how long guests stay and how much they order. As a team, make sure to create a harmonious atmosphere where guests feel completely at ease.
We work better together
All of these measures are effective only with a well-coordinated team. When the kitchen and front-of-house work together seamlessly, every guest can feel it — and sales follow. We’ll show you what else makes a strong team in our five characteristics of a good team.
Ready to take your next step in the restaurant industry?
All of these measures are effective only with a well-coordinated team. When the kitchen and front-of-house work together seamlessly, every guest can feel it — and sales follow. We’ll show you what else makes a strong team in our five characteristics of a good team.
FAQ: How to Increase Restaurant Sales
With proactive, tailored recommendations (upselling), attentive service, and an understanding of guests' needs, you'll increase revenue per guest.
Upselling involves actively recommending suitable additional items — such as drinks, appetizers, or desserts — to guests. This increases revenue per order.
Through friendly, attentive service and a pleasant atmosphere. When customers feel comfortable and receive good advice, they’ll be happy to come back.
