Question

Provide recommended strategies to improve A&W Restaurant's business under the impact of COVID-19.

Answer 1

Recommendations

Offer Big Rewards

Offers through online apps are going to boom during pandemic. That’s a marketing opportunity screaming to be put to good use. How about taking the typical “Download the App and Get a Free Appetizer” and changing it to something with a cliffhanger, “Like Free Food?” or something catchy like, “Our App Will Make All Your Other Apps Drool”. Make that funny message or call to action guide customers in signing up for the app, then walk them through placing their order (showing them the special package special that they will of course want to order) and then seamlessly checking out. The goal is still bosting sales, but in a more captivating and creative way.

Put That Expensive Real Estate to Use

Whether or not the parking lot is packed with cars or the restaurant is full of customers, that building, that real estate, is costing money. Why not make the most of it so that it speaks to every car, bus and van passing by? So that, at a glance, they know what deals and special offers the restaurant is offering because they catch attention immediately. Consider the impact that a few advertising flags promoting “$40 Dinner for 4” or “Curbside Pickup” would have on restaurant revenue. Or “Add a Dessert for $2.99” would have on dessert sales. Nothing’s more powerful than getting instant results. And by using the real estate around a restaurant, well, the power is in the increase in sales.

Finally, Show AND Tell

Customers have a lot of options. Even being forced to stay at home and order food to go - there’s no shortage of places to grab that next meal from. So it’s not enough to offer a package too good to pass up or reward them for downloading the app… keep those customers coming back for more. Now is not the time to be humble - show off your amazing reviews, give them a glimpse at an empty restaurant missing its guests, show and tell how the restaurant is handling things during this trying time.

Improve your digital marketing

A lockdown situation means more computer-related activities. Take advantage of customers spending more time looking at websites, put catchy advertisements of A&W restaurants for more online orders.