23 Feb 2008 10:55:41 | Greg Allison
The food service industry is usually a fast paced and often
precarious one. Advertising is critical in a restaurant and
there are many ways to use a button maker machine in this
industry. When the advertising budget is tight, a button-making
machine will expand those precious dollars. Buttons can be used
for a myriad of purposes such as advertising specials and for
identification of wait staff. Whether you serve a five star
cuisine or mom and pop specialties, a buttons can help lower
your overhead and raise profits.
Every restaurant has a line of specials that they serve. Servers
may suggest the special, or describe it, but a button can really
show it. People are stimulated by what they see - hence all the
pictures in menus. It would just make sense to have an
appetizing photograph of your daily special or weekly special on
a button to attract attention. The server might suggest the
special while pointing to the button "As you can see, today for
our special we have a delicious pot roast with mixed vegetables".
Buttons and badges are a really inexpensive way of advertising
your specials and increasing your sales. Buttons can also be
used to advertise the next night's special to tantalize your
guests to return. Want to increase the dessert sales? Nothing
makes the mouth crave cool creamy ice cream more than a
photograph of a hot fudge Sunday or a malted milkshake - words
just can not describe those types of images well enough. These
buttons can be made and handed out to the staff each day or each
week of the special and then returned. Buttons are small enough
to store easily, reusable, durable, and still large enough to
make the mouth water when covered with pictures of your luscious
entrées.
Do you have a unique or unusual theme to your restaurant? Sell
souvenir buttons with your restaurant logo. If you are in a
travel location, such as along an interstate, buttons with the
state information and name on it are also great souvenirs. These
buttons can be sold for as little as a dollar and still generate
a handsome profit. "I always eat at Joe's Bar and Grill" or
"World's Greatest Bar-be-Que" over a picture of your restaurant
would be a simple button to make and could also be sold as a
souvenir. Do you have a signature dish or a super large portion?
For that guest who accomplishes the clean plate give them a
button. For example, "Survivor" stamped over a picture of a
porterhouse steak with your restaurant's name at the bottom
would certainly get people's attention.
Making up buttons with your logo and address on them are great
for sponsored events as well. Does your restaurant support a
local youth sports team? Making up buttons to let people know
who you sponsor and to give out to the team players is a great
way to get the word out that you are involved in the community.
Staff members can wear these buttons in the restaurant to let
guests know that your establishment inspires youth activities.
These buttons can also be made with the team's final placement
or the word "Champions" over your restaurant's logo. This is a
keepsake for the team members and a way of getting your logo and
name out in the public.
Would you like to reward your frequent repeat customers? A
button that reads "Thank You for Your Business" can be a great
way to say thanks and will get the word outside the restaurant
that you appreciate your guests. These can also have a discount
on them. If you have regulars who visit often, give them a
button for five or ten percent off their next meal. These
buttons can be returned at the time of the purchase, just like a
coupon, and saved for the next customer you want to reward. This
is an inexpensive way to promote your establishment at openings
as well. Pass these buttons out to new customers to draw them
back in, and maybe even their friends.
Use buttons as nametags for employees. These can be customized
with the restaurants logo and address or if you are a less
formal establishment, have the servers and staff design their
own buttons - within reason of course. Buttons are also large
enough to include years of service. Rewards for staff can also
be made out of buttons. The employee of the month or week can
wear a button saying "Employee of the Month" or "This week's
Star Performer".
Buttons for special meals or special employees are an
inexpensive addition to your establishment. These buttons can
help increase sales, generate more revenue, advertise inside and
outside the restaurant and reward your frequent guests. No
restaurant should be without one of these money saving devices.
About Author :
Greg Allison is the marketing director for Button Biz. Button
Biz is an online distributor of button maker machines and
button supplies. Each button making system includes a button
maker, button
parts, and circle cutter. Make round or rectangle buttons
and choose from eleven different badge sizes.