10 Proven Strategies to Boost Restaurant Sales

Is Your Restaurant Experiencing a Slowdown? You're Not Alone.



Many restaurant owners across the country are facing the same thing right now. According to the recent report by the National Restaurant Association, 63% of restaurant owners reported a decline in sales during February. 

The main drivers behind this slowdown? Ongoing economic pressures and a noticeable decrease in consumer spending. As customers tighten their budgets, restaurants are feeling the impact—especially those without a clear marketing strategy in place.

zbs pos resource

The RESTAURANT mARKETING GUIDE

You don’t need to be a marketing expert to grow your restaurant. Our step-by-step marketing guide is built to help you attract new customers, boost repeat visits, and increase sales—without the overwhelm.

Whether you're just getting started or looking to level up your current strategy, this guide breaks it all down in a clear, actionable way. No complicated jargon, no expensive consultants—just practical tools and proven tactics that actually work.

Start by defining your ideal guest groups—families, students, professionals, etc.—and what sets your restaurant apart. Whether it’s your signature dishes, fancy atmosphere, or fast service; having a clear identity helps you stand out in a crowded market.

Most guests look online before picking a place to eat.

• Website: Make sure your restaurant website is mobile-friendly, easy to use, and shows your menu clearly. 
• SEO: Add your city, neighborhood, and restaurant type to your restaurant website so more people can find you on Google.

Need help? ZBS Restaurant Website Design and Restaurant Marketing services teams are here to help.

Your guests are on social media — your restaurant should be too! Here are ways to attract and engage your guests.



• Share pictures of your food, daily specials, fun events, and popular food trends.
• Invite local influencers for a free meal in exchange for a post or story.

Simple photos taken with your phone can go a long way!

Is your menu the same as it was years ago? It might be time for a change. Look at what’s popular and what’s not selling. 

• Remove slow-selling dishes and think about adding trendy, seasonal, or special items.
• ZBS menu management tool can help you flexibly manage the menu, show trends and sales, such as which items are the most and least popular, along with adding pictures for more guest engagement.
• Dynamic menu pricing: Consider strategic variations in menu item pricing depending on factors like ingredient costs, popularity, and profitability. Adjust prices accordingly to maximize revenue without sacrificing guest satisfaction with ZBS menu management tool.
  

Convenience can be a key driver for repeat restaurant visits—especially for takeout restaurants.

ZBS provides various ordering solutions for restaurants to save laborers, reduce order errors, save guest wait times, and sync seamlessly with restaurant POS systems.



• Online Ordering System – Easy-to-navigate, real-time menu synced to your restaurant POS systems.
• Self-Service Kiosks – Great for fast-casual and high-volume restaurants.
• QR Code Ordering – Enable contactless order, for your guests any time without waiting.
• Tablet Ordering - Reduce human errors, speeds up table turnover, and encourages. upselling with smart prompts and photos—leading to higher average tickets and happier guests.
  

Busy shifts can be challenging—especially with limited staff. ZBS offers smart tools to help you stay organized and keep guests happy, even at peak times.

• Waitlist & Reservation System: Let guests check in with ease and receive automated text alerts when their table is ready—no need to crowd the front or wait inside.
• Smart Table Management Tools: Optimize seating and reduce wait times with real-time insights that help you seat guests faster and more efficiently.

ZBS helps streamline the front-of-house flow, so your team can focus on delivering great service.

Your regular customers are the heart of your business, and showing them appreciation keeps them coming back. 



• Offer points, a free dessert on birthdays, or early access to new dishes. Exclusive perks make people feel like VIPs, and that feeling turns occasional visitors into regulars.
• Pair your loyalty program with email or text message marketing to remind members about special deals or rewards waiting for them.
• Promote it in-store, online, and on social media
• Front Loyalty Program makes loyalty management simple. Easily track guest history, create custom rewards, and offer digital or physical gift cards—perfect for encouraging repeat visits or attracting new guests through customer referrals.
  

Use the Front Restaurant POS system to grow your email or text list, and send personalized offers based on birthdays, anniversaries, or favorite dishes. Manage a happy hour or lunch special discounts easily.

Happy customers are some of your most powerful marketing tools — and word of mouth is still one of the strongest ways to attract new guests. Encourage your satisfied customers to leave positive reviews on popular platforms like Google and social media. Positive reviews will help new customers trust your restaurant.

• Encourage happy guests to leave a Google review
• Add a QR code on the receipt or table to make it easy
• Reply to all reviews—both good and bad

Collecting feedback can also help you improve your food and service. ZBS helps you track reviews and guest satisfaction all in one place.

zbs pos resource

The RESTAURANT mARKETING GUIDE

You don’t need to be a marketing expert to grow your restaurant. Our step-by-step marketing guide is built to help you attract new customers, boost repeat visits, and increase sales—without the overwhelm.

Whether you're just getting started or looking to level up your current strategy, this guide breaks it all down in a clear, actionable way. No complicated jargon, no expensive consultants—just practical tools and proven tactics that actually work.