1. Create a custom printed door hanger that can be distributed to the households and businesses nearby. Door hangers are great for getting attention because they are placed on the entrance most people use to enter the home or building. The door hanger can include highlighted items of the menu, a map to help find the location, and even a coupon to give people a reason to try the restaurant. Door hangers are a cost effective way to distribute information. There are companies that offer door hanger delivery services, or an employee can take a couple afternoons to walk the area and distribute the door hangers.

2. Have a menu created for customers to read at home. Most restaurants have a menu for diners to view while seated in the restaurant, but the diners can’t take the leather or vinyl bound menu home. Restaurants should always have a professionally printed menu for their customers to take home with them. Many people like to review menus in the convenience of their own location before deciding upon where their next meal will be. It’s also very beneficial if a restaurant wants to include take-out and delivery services in their offerings. A menu should always be included with any take out or delivery meal. This raises the possibility of that customer returning again.

3. Postcards are a terrific way to announce a restaurant grand opening or remind residents and businesses in the area that the restaurant is nearby. A few ideas for a postcard messages include a coupon, a message about a special event, the announcement of a new chef, and a remodeled businesses. Mailing lists can be obtained by zip code and can the postcards can be mailed directly to the best potential customers.

It is important for a restaurant to continually strive to provide an atmosphere conducive to bringing in both repeat customers and adding a new customer base. Having a few promotional pieces in place, such as a door hanger, menus for customers to take home or back to the office, and postcards can have a positive effect on the bottom line.

1. Fast food chains are beginning to offer more healthy meal solutions. I’m sure you’ve noticed the veggie burgers at Burger King, the salad selection at Wendy’s, and the Fresco tacos at Taco Bell. Are they really that much healthier? Who knows, but it’s no joke, fast food chains worldwide are making an effort to have a larger selection for vegetarians and growing, healthy children.

2. Fast food restaurants are trying to create favorable indoor dining facilities. Have you seen some of these new McDonalds? Frankly, the walls of plasma TVs are a little much, but these places are making a huge effort to make eating fast food more pleasurable, more comfortable for families, and overall, less embarrassing.

3. Popular chains are marketing themselves a lot better than in the past. I see a lot of competition when it comes to fast food, and I think each place is handling the pressure very well. Wendy’s is doing a great job at showing their fans that “We do not use frozen patties.” At the same time, Subway has definitely stepped up their game offering five dollar foot longs that started as a campaign, but ended as a regular offer. Be sure to go there on Sundays when you can get any two foot long subs for 9.99.