Unlock the secrets to draw more customers to your pizza shop! Learn the power of word-of-mouth marketing and tempting digital rewards, making your pizza joint a standout favorite.
Pizza is undeniably one of the most globally renowned foods. It holds a truly iconic status and is beloved in households everywhere. Consequently, the market for scrumptious pies is overflowing, particularly since a staggering 83% of consumers indulge in pizza at least once every month.
As a small mom-and-pop shop, competing with giants like Pizza Hut and Papa John’s can be challenging. Corporate pizza chains dominate the thoughts of most people when they crave a slice, mainly due to their widespread advertising reach and brand recognition.
So, you must come up with creative methods that attract customers to your pizza joint. If you follow the given below strategies then you will surely see an increment in foot traffic.
1. Word of Mouth Advertising
No matter how much ad space you purchase, advertisers’ words are not as potent as word-of-mouth marketing. In the current age of social media and online reviews, word-of-mouth referrals carry immense influence. To get consistent sales, build a community of loyal customers for your pizza business. That way, you can enjoy sales each day and it will also give a tremendous boost to your pizza shop. Now read the next point carefully.
2. Obtain Customers’ Loyalty
Do you in the restaurant business field and more specifically in the pizza business, regular and loyal customers create a big difference? And honestly, you might be surprised to know that 80% of your business just comes from only 20% of regular customers. In addition to this, we are admiring you to go further from this point.
By putting effort into building a community of loyal regulars, a majority of your patrons can become regular customers. By using this technique you will get more returning customers than doing efforts to get new clients.
Such a kind of community takes time to establish and get familiar with your products and services. Remembering their preferred orders goes a long way in nurturing these relationships. And, of course, crafting the best slice in town plays a crucial role in attracting people back to your pizza shop.
In addition to this, below is something new for you that will also work for your pizza business.
3. Pay attention to the packaging
Packaging is really something that will bring happiness to the faces of your customers. So make sure to have custom packaging for your pizza brand. That way, you can have more customers and ultimately more sales. For this purpose, you can have custom pizza boxes so that you can also save your budget on bulk quantity.
4. Offer Digital Stamps
Before even considering digital programs, 73% of loyalty program members are likely to recommend brands with good loyalty programs. Digital loyalty solutions, unlike paper punch cards, reduce waste as there’s no need to print out physical stamp cards. Customers won’t have to worry about forgetting or losing their stamp cards anymore.
By offering a digital stamp for every slice a customer purchases and rewarding them with a free medium-sized pie after they collect ten stamps, you can attract more regulars. Word of mouth from your satisfied regular customers about your excellent loyalty program can lead to a surge in new foot traffic to your pizza shop.
5. Utilize Instagram
Instagram, being a visual platform, is ideal for enticing customers with mouthwatering pictures of your most delicious slices and pies. However, mastering the ins and outs of the platform can be challenging, especially considering its high level of competition. To succeed as a pizza shop on Instagram, follow this breakdown of essential tips.
Additionally, conducting market research and studying other pizza restaurants that are excelling on the platform can help spark your imagination and guide your Instagram strategy.
6. Local Community
If you operate a pizza shop, your primary target market is likely the local community. Since pizza is often considered a family food, particularly in suburban areas, why not organize a customer appreciation picnic to attract more people living nearby?
If your pizza shop is located in a city, you might also appeal to individuals in their late teens and early twenties. If your restaurant provides a sit-down dining experience rather than primarily takeout, consider hosting an open mic event to entice the surrounding community to visit your shop.
7. Partnerships with nearby Businesses
The businesses close to your pizza shop may have employees who would love pizza lunches. Introduce yourself to as many people as you can during the lunchtime rush to attract local professionals. Roam around town, visiting different businesses with coupons in hand. This friendly approach can help you make connections with potential customers.
8. Uber Train
If you’re not using technologies like Uber Eats and FoodPanda, you’re missing out on opportunities to attract new customers. Pizza, in particular, is often preferred for home delivery, and having a full-time delivery person might not align with your business model. Additionally, many people check if you’re on Uber Eats before they decide to call your shop directly. Joining these platforms can help you reach more customers.
9. Carve Out an Identity
In a crowded pizza market, having a bland restaurant personality will lead to bankruptcy. Customers crave something they can truly connect with. Provide them with a story about your restaurant. Are you a traditional Italian spot, a trendy modern pizza joint, or something in between? The decision is yours. However, it’s crucial to establish your restaurant’s narrative and identity.
10. Signature Pizza Style
Discovering a unique aspect of your pizza can make your pizza shop stand out from the crowd. For instance, if you’re known for using eclectic ingredients, like a sunny-side-up egg on a pizza (yes, it exists), that will set your restaurant apart from others.
Alternatively, making your sauce with an old family recipe can also create a distinctive identity. Just as your restaurant needs a story and identity, the same goes for your pizza.
11. Offer a Daily Special
By dedicating specific days to special signature pizzas with attractive deals, you can create a buzz in the community. Offering a half-off slice might be all it takes to bring people into your pizza shop. Once they taste the delicious slices, they’ll likely become regular customers, coming back for more.
The Bottom Line
By using these ten tips correctly, your pizza shop will stand out and be as delightful as when the moon shines in your eye, like a big pizza.
