6 Effective Ways To Market Your Quick-Service Restaurant (QSR)

The market size of the quick-service restaurant in the U.S. was $331.41 billion in 2022. Some good examples of fast-food chains include Domino’s Pizza, Disney World’s Magic Kingdom QSRs, McDonald’s, Burger King, Wendy’s, Taco Bell, KFC, and Subway. These restaurants focus on efficiency, functionality, and speed. 

Therefore, with so many QSRs emerging every day, it is hard for new entrants to keep up with the high competition. The following strategies will help you market your quick-service restaurant and improve your clientele base.

1. Design a Stellar Website

Many customers research fast-food restaurants before visiting them. Therefore, create a website where potential customers can get all the information about your business. Design your website according to the set standards and SEO norms. Actually, a well-designed website ranks high on search engines like Google.

When designing your business website, use catchy colors and mouthwatering pictures. Remember to include an online ordering capability in your website to attract sales from your online audience.

Moreover, consider writing informative content related to the restaurant industry. For example, you can focus on the new trends in the market and the latest technological innovations that improve restaurant operations. Such initiatives will help create a community of bloggers, restaurant owners, and diners. Consequently, your restaurant will appear more credible to your customers.

2. Drive-Thrus and Online Delivery Platforms

One of the reasons QSRs were able to survive despite the COVID-19 pandemic was because of drive-thrus. In fact, according to the NPD Group, drive-through visits increased significantly in April, May, and June 2020, accounting for 42% of all restaurant visits in the U.S.

For instance, McDonald’s, Taco Bell, and Chipotle are some brands that reported a surge in clients served through drive-thru lanes. One of the benefits of drive-thrus is that they work from a small area; therefore, they require lower overheads.

Based on the concept of the first drive-thru, Jack in the Box, modern drive-thru has proven to be a great way to market QSRs because they are convenient and fast. Moreover, many people enjoy the prospect of casual dining in their cars.

Nowadays, many people prefer home deliveries as an alternative to drive-through instead of dining out. This is one of the reasons you should associate yourself with online delivery platforms.

Interestingly, studies show that online ordering accounts for almost 70% of orders by all casual restaurants. QSRs draw most of their sales from online orders; therefore, when you work with reputable online delivery agencies, you will not lose out on potential customers.

3. Improve Your Social Media Presence

Social media marketing is one of the fastest ways to draw attention to your brand. Social media platforms create good opportunities to engage potential customers and communicate with already existing ones.

Consider creating a social media page where you can regularly upload and post photos and videos of your restaurant. Also, try using a social wall application to combine several social media feeds and display them on digital signage.

Additionally, joining Google My Business is another way of making an online presence. Since many customers search for restaurants on Google, featuring on this platform will increase traffic to your website, which will most likely translate into sales.

Another social media promotion idea is offering giveaways for merchandise and gift cards. This will draw attention to your brand and increase your following. However, if you don’t have many followers on your social media page, ask your followers to like and share your page to get a discount at your restaurant. Giveaways can also be in the form of free dessert, salad, or soup.

4. Enhance the In-Store Experience

Many QSRs spend a lot of money to make their in-store experience notable. This helps build brand awareness and increases the rates of customer retention. New customers are also more satisfied when they visit your store, which means they will mention your restaurant to family and friends.

One great example of the effects of the in-store experience is McDonald’s. They began their branded TV service after realizing their dine-in guests were an untapped active audience. The television station focuses on local audiences. The goal of McDonald’s TV station is to entertain its audience. Actually, according to McDonald’s argument, the branding will succeed if they can entertain its audience.

For example, if a customer has a pleasurable experience on TV, they will linger in the store for a longer period, which may lead to last-minute purchases. Furthermore, a positive dining experience also increases customer retention rates.

If you don’t have the money for a television channel, there are other ways of improving the in-store experience. Some dining restaurants brand themselves through unique experiences, like Chicago’s The Weiner’s Circle. Try creative counter-service options that will transform a routine visit to your shop into something memorable.

5. Mobile Loyalty Rewards & Interactive Branded Apps

A branded app combined with mobile loyalty rewards can significantly improve your quick-service restaurant business. Incorporate a loyalty program into your customer phones and your QSR POS system. This will add valuable information to your customer resource management (CRM).

For example, Starbucks’s branded app program is responsible for 24% of its sales. This program is successful because it can track rewards automatically. A customer must link a credit card to the application, pay with a tap, and receive the rewards.

Indeed, Starbucks’s reward system has various tiers. This makes the program more interactive and promotes spending because customers can gradually achieve their goals.

Another feature of this app program is pre-ordering and payment. For example, one can place an order before leaving home and find it ready for pick up when they arrive at the shop. This is convenient because it minimizes long lines and saves time.

Furthermore, Starbucks’ loyalty program shows you how to inspire customer spending without relying on promotions and discounts. You should think of ways to use an interactive loyalty program to increase your customer base.

6. Upgrade Your Menu

A limited menu may be one of the reasons restaurant brands need help growing their clientele. Your food service menu items are one of the things that will affect your market share. So, offer a variety of items on your menu. Try to include unique items like burritos, chicken Popeyes, frosty, curly fries, waffle fries, and ice cream. Consider digital menu boards so you can update items automatically.

Good examples of quick-service dining restaurants with unique food items are Panera Bread with its upmarket paninis and Dunkin with its delicious donuts. Indeed, customers want assurance that they will get everything at your outlet. To attract and retain clients, you shouldn’t offer the same products that your competitors have. Unique fast-food items will help you gain a competitive advantage.

A Quick-Service Restaurant’s Success

Marketing plays an integral part in the success of your restaurant. Your clientele base and revenue rely partly on your marketing strategies. The more people are aware of your brand, the higher the likelihood of increasing your sales. While this isn’t an exhaustive list of marketing strategies you can incorporate to grow your brand, it is an excellent place to start. Whichever approach you take, your marketing goal should be to retain your clients while attracting potential customers.