Tracking Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) is absolutely essential for any restaurant business to understand its health, identify areas for improvement, and make data-driven decisions. KPIs provide a clear, quantifiable measure of performance across various aspects of your operation.

Running a successful happy hour is an art form. It’s not just about discounting drinks; it’s about creating an experience that drives traffic during off-peak hours, introduces new customers to your establishment, and encourages repeat visits. When done right, happy hour can be a significant revenue driver and a powerful marketing tool.

In the culinary world, location, location, location has always been key. Today, that sentiment extends beyond your physical address to your digital footprint, particularly on Google Maps. When hungry customers search for “restaurants near me” or “best pizza [your city],” appearing at the top of those results is like having a prime table perpetually reserved for new business.

In today’s digital age, your restaurant’s website is no longer just an online brochure; it’s a critical sales tool, a digital reservation desk, and your best storyteller. With over 80% of diners checking a restaurant’s website before visiting, a subpar site is a missed opportunity.

So, what exactly should your restaurant website include to ensure it’s not just a digital placeholder, but a powerful magnet for hungry customers? Let’s break down the essential ingredients for a winning online presence.

As a restaurant owner, there’s no greater validation than seeing your tables full, your staff busy, and your customers returning for more. Growth is exciting but it also brings one of the toughest decisions you’ll face:

Should you expand your current restaurant or open a second location?

Both options offer unique opportunities and risks. Let’s break it down and explain why food quality, operational consistency, and smart technology must be at the core of your growth decision.

Want more 5-star reviews on Google? In this episode, we break down the smartest ways restaurants are earning customer love and turning it into online reputation gold.

Discover practical, non-pushy ways to get more reviews, and learn how tools like Foodcus can help automate and simplify the process.

Whether you're running a QSR or a family-owned bistro, this one's packed with insight you can act on today.

In this episode, we explore how Google reviews have quietly become the most powerful form of modern word-of-mouth for restaurants. From influencing local SEO to driving first-time visits, reviews are shaping how diners choose where to eat. Learn why reviews matter more than paid ads—and how tools like Foodcus make it effortless to collect and respond to them. Whether you're a small café or a growing chain, this episode is packed with insights you can act on.

Want to get more real, SEO-friendly Google reviews with zero effort? Start your free trial: https://foodcus.com/

Subway transformed a blimp into a 180-foot-long sandwich-themed restaurant, offering fans the chance to dine 1,000 feet above ground. This airborne eatery toured several U.S. cities, including Kansas and Miami, generating significant buzz and over 10,000 online applications for the unique dining experience.

7-Eleven – 7Rewards: Driving Frequency and Engagement in Convenience Stores

Program: 7Rewards
Structure: Points for purchases + bonus for promotions
Impact: Over 55 million active users globally, driving traffic and increasing store visits

7-Eleven’s 7Rewards program is designed to incentivize frequent visits to its stores, blending traditional loyalty with mobile payments, fuel rewards, and daily promotions. By integrating convenience, snacks, and fuel perks, 7-Eleven has created a digital loyalty system that appeals to everyday consumers looking for value and convenience.

Chick-fil-A’s Chick-fil-A One program demonstrates that personalized rewards and tiered membership can turn loyal customers into brand evangelists. By offering a clear path to exclusive rewards and experiences, Chick-fil-A successfully deepened engagement and maximized sales through its app-based loyalty program.

Chick-fil-A – Chick-fil-A One

• Program: Tiered rewards: Member, Silver, Red, Signature

• Success Story:

  • Created a loyalty hierarchy with exclusive events and access.

  • Personalized rewards increase repeat visits.

  • Drives a significant portion of sales via the app.

• Lesson: Tiered exclusivity makes people feel like VIPs.