As a restaurant owner, you’re creating an experience. You’re doing more than just serving up the best food in town. And you have to be. Your industry is fiercely competitive. A good way to stand out is through offering attention-grabbing restaurant promotional items.
Swag works for a couple of reasons:
- Guests view it as a souvenir and it’s tied to the memories of their dining (or drinking) experience.
- Others who haven’t been to your establishment will see it when your former guest wears it or uses it.
- They can gift it to someone else. Your swag keeps on marketing for you in new areas.
But what makes for a good swag giveaway for a dining or drinking establishment? We have a few ideas.
Ideal Restaurant Promotional Items
Contest Items
Eating contests are big attention grabbers in the age of social media. If hosting a contest, consider t-shirts, hats, drinking glasses, reusable bags, or a combination of all of these. Each time the contest winner wears or uses the item, they can tell their story, and will be talking about your restaurant, which is great exposure for you. Contests are also a great way to get people in the door. There are many competitive individuals who will see an eating challenge and want to compete just to show they can do it. If you have the biggest burger, the hottest wings, or other special food items, offer a prize for anyone who can eat these items. You can even create a “Wall of Fame” and let them put their name on the wall. Better yet, broadcast the contest live on social media like Nittally’s does with their Inferno soup.
Take-home Products
Bottle up your best recipes using mason jars and other glass containers, or easily order stickers with your information and put them on baked goods and other treats. Having food, either to buy or as a special treat for diners to take with them, will remind customers about your delicious foods. Think about items you make in-house and that will last a long time, such as dressings, barbeque sauce, and desserts in sealed packages. Remember to check with your local chamber, city, or business group to find out if additional licenses are needed for selling products.
Pens
Pens are always useful and will never go out of style! When the waitress brings the bill, they can hand the customer a pen and let them know that it is theirs to keep. You can also keep them in the front of the restaurant with a sign that says, “Take one! See you again soon!”
Coasters
Coasters are a great low-cost, restaurant-specific giveaway item. They are easy for people to take home with them. No extra luggage fees required for these babies! There are many different options, so you can find something in your price range and customize it however you would like.
Merch
Merchandise for purchase is not technically a giveaway, but we included it on the list because it is a great restaurant promotional item, especially for specialty restaurants that attract a lot of tourists. Your merchandise becomes another souvenir and memory from a trip. We have dozens of items to choose from that you can customize with your restaurant logo. Most also have room for a catchphrase, address, or design. Use our catalog search to find items that are perfect for your restaurant and vibe.
With so many chains now, you want to make sure your restaurant stands out. Investing in giveaway items that can be used for marketing, contests, and improving the customer experience should be tops on your list of things to do. Creating unique items you can sell is also a terrific way to advertise your business.
You take pride in creating a great experience while your customers are eating; make that experience last even longer with great giveaways.
Don’t forget we can also help you with your brochures and business cards. All of these items are available on our website, and if you need even more ideas we can help you find the perfect swag for your restaurant.
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