October 22, 2025
Running a small restaurant means wearing multiple hats at once. You're managing the kitchen, greeting customers, handling suppliers, and somehow trying to find time to grow your business. But don’t worry, you’re not alone. In fact, data shows that 9 in 10 restaurants operate with less than 50 employees.
Growing your restaurant doesn't require a massive budget or a complete change all at once. Small, consistent changes in how you market, operate, and connect with customers create real momentum.
In this guide, we walk you through 33 effective ways to make your small restaurant grow. From growing your online visibility to creating new revenue streams, these tips will help you even if you have limited time and resources. So, let’s get started.
Growth comes from bringing in new customers and getting existing ones to order more often. You need both to happen at the same time.
Alt text:What Makes a Small Restaurant Grow?
Your restaurant needs to be easy to find online, deliver experiences customers want to share, and run smoothly enough to handle more volume without quality dropping. When one area improves, it supports the others.
The restaurants seeing real growth own their customer relationships. They give people reasons to order directly instead of through apps that take 20-30% of every sale.
For example, if you launch your own online ordering with a loyalty program, customers earn rewards they can only get by ordering from you. That direct connection means more repeat orders and higher profits per sale.
Let’s take a detailed look at the specific strategies and tips you can use to grow your restaurant effectively.
These strategies work across different restaurant types and budgets. Focus on the ones that match where your business is right now and what your customers actually need.
Alt text:33 Effective Ways to Grow a Small Restaurant
Your Google Business Profile is often the first thing potential customers see when they search for restaurants near them. Keep your listing updated with accurate hours, current menu items, high-quality photos, and responses to every review.
Encourage satisfied customers to leave reviews by making it easy. For example, if you include a QR code on receipts or send a follow-up text after their visit, you make it simple for happy customers to share their experience, which helps your restaurant show up higher in local searches.
Your website needs to let customers place orders directly, make reservations, and sign up for updates. A fast-loading, mobile-friendly site with clear calls to action converts browsers into buyers.
Include high-quality food photography, customer testimonials, and easy navigation. Make sure your phone number and address are visible on every page. Most importantly, enable online ordering so customers can place orders without calling or using a third-party app. Direct orders mean you keep more profit and own the customer relationship.
Post regularly on Instagram and Facebook with behind-the-scenes content, daily specials, and customer stories. Short videos of your cooking process or staff introductions perform better than static menu photos. Respond to comments and messages quickly to build relationships.
Run simple contests like "tag a friend who needs to try this" or "share your favorite dish for a chance to win." Use Instagram Stories for limited-time offers that create urgency.
For instance, if you run a burger joint, you can post daily videos showing how you prepare their signature dishes. That way, you can attract food enthusiasts who want to see the quality and care that goes into each meal.
Growing your restaurant starts with being easy to find and easy to order from. Tools like iOrders give you a professional website with built-in online ordering, so customers can place orders directly without you paying commission on every sale. Book a free demo to see how it works.
Menu layout affects what customers order. Place your highest-profit items in the top-right corner where eyes naturally go first. Use boxes or different fonts to draw attention to signature dishes. Keep descriptions short but appealing with unique ingredients or preparation methods.
Limit your menu to items you can execute well with your current kitchen setup. Too many options often slow down service and increase waste. Run menu engineering analysis to identify which dishes are popular and profitable, then promote those items more heavily.
Your signature dish gives customers a reason to choose you over competitors. This is something you're known for, the item people recommend when friends ask where to eat. Build your marketing around this dish and make it consistently excellent.
Daily specials keep regular customers interested and help you use seasonal ingredients at lower costs. Promote specials through social media, email, and table tents. For example, if a seafood restaurant creates a "Catch of the Day" special featuring locally sourced fish, they can attract customers who value fresh, local ingredients while managing food costs more effectively.
Catering expands your revenue without needing more dining room space. Start with simple packages for office lunches or family meals. Price bundles are slightly higher than individual items but low enough to feel like value.
Create takeout bundles for busy families with "dinner for four" packages that include an entree, sides, and dessert. Promote these through your online ordering system and social media. For instance, if a Mexican restaurant adds family meal bundles, it can tap into weeknight dinner demand from families who want restaurant-quality food without the hassle of dining out.
Document your recipes with exact measurements and cooking times. Train staff thoroughly on preparation standards. Taste-test regularly to catch quality issues before customers do.
Source ingredients from reliable suppliers who deliver consistently. For example, if a brunch spot creates detailed recipe cards with photos showing exactly how each dish should look when plated, new kitchen staff can maintain the same quality standards that regular customers expect.
Your servers can increase average ticket size by suggesting add-ons, upgrades, or pairings. Train them to recommend appetizers, premium ingredients, or desserts in a helpful way that enhances the customer experience.
Teach specific phrases like "would you like to add avocado to that?" or "our homemade cheesecake pairs perfectly with that meal." Reward staff when average ticket sizes increase.
For instance, if a steakhouse implements a simple upselling training program with monthly bonuses for top performers, servers become more confident in suggesting add-ons that genuinely improve the dining experience.
Faster table turnover means serving more customers per shift. Improve kitchen efficiency by organizing prep stations logically and using a kitchen display system. Pre-set tables between seatings. Take orders promptly and deliver checks as soon as customers finish eating.
Balance speed with hospitality. Customers should never feel rushed, but unnecessary delays between courses cost you money.
For example, if a busy brunch restaurant improves kitchen communication and reduces average dining time from 75 to 55 minutes, they can serve significantly more customers during peak weekend hours without anyone feeling rushed.
Online ordering opens your restaurant to customers who prefer convenience. Enable ordering through your own website with platforms like iOrders so you keep the full payment instead of losing 20-30% to delivery apps.
Offer both delivery and pickup options. If you don't have delivery staff, integrate with delivery services that charge per-order fees rather than commission on sales. Promote your direct ordering channel through in-store signage, social media, and receipt inserts.
For instance, if a pizza restaurant launches its own online ordering system and promotes it to existing customers, it can shift orders away from third-party apps and keep more of each sale.
Corporate catering provides consistent, high-value orders. Create packages for common needs like office lunches, meeting refreshments, and company events. Make ordering easy with online forms and clear pricing.
Partner with local businesses and event venues. Attend networking events to meet potential catering clients. For example, if a sandwich shop focuses on office parks within 3 miles and offers free delivery on orders over $100, they can build a steady corporate catering business that fills slow lunch periods.
Your restaurant sits empty during off-hours. Turn that into revenue by offering your space for private parties, corporate meetings, or special celebrations. Create packages with set menus and minimum spending requirements.
Promote private dining through your website and social media. Partner with event planners who need reliable venues. For instance, if a neighborhood bistro hosts private events on Sunday and Monday evenings when they're typically closed, they generate income from their space without interfering with regular service.
Branded merchandise builds loyalty and provides additional revenue. Sell items customers actually want, like signature sauces, spice blends, or branded apparel. Keep inventory simple and focus on your most popular items.
Gift cards generate immediate cash and bring in new customers. Promote them heavily during holidays. Offer bonuses like "buy $50, get $10 free" to increase purchase amounts. For example, if a barbecue restaurant promotes gift cards as "the perfect gift for food lovers" during November and December, they can capture holiday shopping demand while bringing new customers through the door in January and February.
Ready to add online ordering without paying commission on every sale? iOrders gives you your own branded website with online ordering, plus delivery coordination when you need it. Schedule a free demo to see how it works for your restaurant.
Loyalty programs reward repeat purchases with points toward free items or discounts. Keep the program simple so customers understand how to earn and redeem rewards without reading a manual.
Use digital loyalty tracking through your ordering system rather than punch cards that get lost. Send reminders when customers have rewards ready to use. For example, if a coffee shop launches a points-based loyalty program that gives free drinks after every tenth purchase, customers have a clear incentive to return instead of going to competitors.
Email and text marketing keep your restaurant top-of-mind. Collect contact information through online orders, loyalty signups, and in-store promotions. Send targeted offers based on customer preferences and order history.
Personalize messages with the customer's name and favorite dishes. Send birthday offers, anniversary discounts, and "we miss you" promotions to customers who haven't ordered recently. For instance, if a Thai restaurant sends monthly personalized offers to their email list, they can drive repeat orders by reminding customers about dishes they've enjoyed before or introducing them to new items similar to their preferences.
Your happy customers are your best marketing team. Give them incentives to spread the word by offering discounts or free items when they refer friends who place their first order.
Make sharing easy with referral links that customers can text or post on social media. Track referrals through your ordering system and automatically reward both the referrer and the new customer. For example, if a pizzeria offers $10 off for both parties in a referral program, existing customers become active promoters who bring in friends and family.
Cross-promotions with neighboring businesses expand your reach. Partner with gyms, offices, retail shops, or entertainment venues. Offer their customers special discounts in exchange for them promoting your restaurant.
Create package deals that combine your service with theirs. For instance, if a restaurant near a movie theater offers "dinner and a movie" discounts, they can drive traffic during slow pre-show hours while giving theater customers a convenient dining option.
Community events put your restaurant in front of hundreds of potential customers. Set up booths at the farmers' markets, street festivals, and charity events. Offer samples of your signature dishes and collect email signups.
Sponsor local sports teams or charity events to build brand recognition. Host your own events like outdoor dining nights or cooking demonstrations.
For example, if a burger restaurant participates in monthly food truck festivals and offers exclusive "festival-only" menu items, it can attract food enthusiasts who then visit its main location to try the full menu.
Local food influencers reach thousands of potential customers in your area. Invite them for complimentary meals in exchange for honest reviews. Focus on micro-influencers with 5,000-20,000 engaged followers rather than celebrities who charge high fees.
Make their visit special with signature dishes and excellent service. Don't ask for guaranteed positive reviews because authenticity matters more.
For instance, if a taco shop hosts three local food bloggers who genuinely enjoy the experience, their followers see authentic recommendations that carry more weight than paid advertising.
Your Point of Sale (POS) system should track sales patterns, manage inventory, analyze menu performance, and integrate with online ordering. This data helps you make better decisions about staffing, purchasing, and menu changes.
Choose a system that grows with your business and integrates with other tools you use. For example, if a casual dining restaurant implements a POS system that tracks ingredient usage and alerts them when items are approaching expiration dates, they can reduce food waste and order more accurately.
Food costs can make or break your profitability. Track inventory weekly to identify waste, theft, or over-ordering. Use your POS data to forecast demand and order precisely what you need.
Set par levels for each ingredient and automate reordering when you hit minimum thresholds. Calculate the food cost percentage for each dish to identify which items are most profitable. For instance, if a restaurant implements weekly inventory counts and adjusts portion sizes on low-margin items, it can typically reduce food costs from 35% to 28% of revenue.
Online reservations reduce phone calls and no-shows. Use reservation systems that send automatic confirmations and reminders. Collect customer information to build your marketing database.
Fill slow periods by offering reservation-only specials during off-peak hours. For example, if a fine dining restaurant implements an online reservation system with automated text reminders sent 24 hours before the reservation, they can significantly reduce no-shows that waste table capacity.
Email marketing delivers consistent results at low cost. Send monthly newsletters with upcoming events, new menu items, and exclusive offers. Segment your list to send relevant messages like vegetarian options to vegetarian customers or lunch specials to nearby office workers.
Include high-quality food photos and clear calls to action. Track open rates and click-through rates to see what content resonates.
For instance, if a breakfast cafe sends weekly email promotions to its subscriber list, it can drive traffic during specific slow periods by offering targeted discounts that get opened and acted upon.
Limited-time offers create urgency and drive immediate action. Run promotions during slow periods to boost traffic when you need it most. Keep offers simple and easy to understand.
Host social media contests that require participation, like "share this post" or "tag three friends." Give away gift cards or free meals to generate buzz.
For example, if a wing restaurant runs a "Two-for-Tuesday" wing promotion heavily promoted on social media and email, they can turn Tuesday into one of their busiest nights instead of a slow period.
Local SEO helps customers find you when searching for restaurants in your area. Include location-based keywords on your website, like "best tacos in [city]" or "family restaurant near [landmark]."
Get listed in local directories and review sites. Encourage customers to mention your location in reviews. Keep your business information consistent across all platforms. For instance, if a sushi restaurant optimizes its website for local search terms and consistently posts location-specific content, it can appear higher in search results when nearby customers look for dining options.
Themed events bring variety to your offerings. Host wine pairing dinners, cultural celebration nights, or seasonal tasting menus. Promote events weeks in advance through email and social media.
Create special menus for each event and price them to cover costs plus profit. Limit seating to create exclusivity.
For example, if a French bistro hosts monthly wine pairing dinners with limited seating, they create demand through scarcity while showcasing their chef's skills beyond the regular menu.
Cooking classes turn your expertise into a revenue stream. Teach customers how to make your signature dishes or master specific techniques. Charge per person and include the meal they create.
Host classes during off-hours when your kitchen would otherwise sit empty. Promote through your website and local event listings.
For instance, if a pasta restaurant offers monthly pasta-making classes priced at $75 per person, they could generate income from their space and expertise while building deeper connections with customers who become more loyal after learning their techniques.
Happy hour brings in customers during traditionally slow periods. Offer discounted appetizers and drinks during late afternoon and early evening. Promote heavily to nearby offices and on social media.
Create unique happy hour items available only during those hours. Build a regular happy hour crowd that becomes loyal customers for dinner service too.
For example, if a sports bar launches a daily happy hour with half-price appetizers from 3-6 PM, they can fill empty seats during slow hours and introduce new customers who return for dinner and events.
Kitchen efficiency directly affects how many customers you can serve. Organize prep stations logically so cooks move less. Use a kitchen display system that shows all active orders prioritized by timing.
Cross-train staff so anyone can step into different roles during rush periods. Time each dish and set standards for plating. For instance, if a fast-casual restaurant reorganizes its kitchen layout and implements a color-coded ticket system, it can reduce average ticket time and serve more customers during lunch rush.
Long waits drive customers away. Text customers when their table is ready so they can wait comfortably elsewhere. Offer appetizers while they wait to improve their experience and increase check size.
Pre-prep ingredients during slow periods to speed up cooking during rushes. Batch similar orders together.
For example, if a burger restaurant pre-forms burger patties during morning prep and sets up dedicated stations for toppings, they can cut wait times during lunch rush while maintaining the same quality standards.
QR code ordering speeds up service and reduces labor costs. Customers scan a code at their table to view the menu and place orders directly from their phones. Orders go straight to the kitchen without server involvement.
This frees servers to focus on hospitality and checking in with customers. It also reduces order errors from miscommunication. For instance, if a casual dining restaurant implements QR code ordering, customers can order appetizers, entrees, and desserts at their own pace, which increases table turnover while giving diners more control over their experience.
Busy restaurants need technology that keeps up. iOrders provides QR code ordering, commission-free online ordering, and tools to manage everything from one dashboard. Stop losing money to third-party commissions. Request a free demo today.
Corporate accounts provide predictable, high-value revenue. Reach out to nearby office buildings, hospitals, and business parks. Offer discounted pricing for regular bulk orders.
Create a simple online ordering portal for corporate clients with preset menus and delivery times. Assign an account manager for large clients.
For instance, if a salad restaurant targets companies within 2 miles and offers hassle-free online ordering with dedicated delivery times, they can build a steady corporate catering business that fills slow lunch periods.
Partner with businesses that serve your target customers but aren't competitors. A restaurant near a gym could offer post-workout meal packages. A cafe near a bookstore could create a "coffee and book" bundle.
Cross-promote each other through social media, email lists, and in-store displays. Create joint promotions that benefit both businesses. For example, if a breakfast cafe partners with a nearby yoga studio to offer "breakfast after class" discounts, both businesses benefit from introducing their customers to each other.
While these tips and strategies can help you grow your restaurant faster, selecting the right technology can make a significant difference.
Small restaurants lose a considerable part of their business profits every month, paying commissions to third-party delivery apps. You work hard to create great food and service, but a big chunk of every sale goes to platforms that own your customer relationships and compete for your guests' attention.
Alt text:Grow Your Restaurant Faster and Smarter with iOrders
iOrders gives you the technology to compete without the commission fees. You get your own branded website and mobile app where customers can place orders directly. Payments go straight to your account. You own all customer data and can build relationships through loyalty programs and personalized marketing.
Here are some of the different ways iOrders can help you:
Restaurants using iOrders have increased their active customer base by 288% and monthly orders by 244% on average within their first year. You keep more profit, own your customer relationships, and grow on your terms.
Growing a small restaurant takes consistent effort across multiple areas. You need to be visible online, deliver excellent experiences, operate efficiently, and find ways to generate revenue beyond your dining room capacity.
The tactics in this guide work because they're practical and proven. Start with the changes that fit your current situation and resources. Build your online presence, improve customer experience, and create new ways for customers to buy from you. Small improvements add up to significant growth over time.
The biggest advantage you can give yourself is owning your customer relationships. When you control how customers find you, order from you, and engage with your brand, you keep more profit and build a business that grows on your terms. iOrders helps you do that without the commission fees that limit your growth.
Ready to stop sharing your profits with third-party apps? Book a free demo and see how commission-free growth works.
Start with online ordering through your own website to capture customers who prefer convenience. Combine this with a loyalty program to increase visit frequency from existing customers. Both changes can be implemented quickly and deliver measurable results within weeks.
Focus on free or low-cost tactics like optimizing your Google Business Profile, posting consistently on social media, and encouraging customer reviews. Partner with nearby businesses for cross-promotions and participate in local events to increase visibility in your community.
Improve kitchen efficiency, take orders quickly, and deliver checks faster after customers finish eating. Train servers to read customer cues and move service along naturally. Better communication between front and back of house makes the biggest difference.
Limit your menu to items you execute well. Place high-profit dishes in the top-right corner where customers look first. Create signature dishes people order specifically for, and offer daily specials using seasonal ingredients at lower costs.
Track inventory weekly to identify waste and over-ordering. Use your sales data to forecast demand accurately. Negotiate with suppliers for better pricing on high-volume items, and cross-utilize ingredients across multiple dishes to reduce variety in inventory.
