Fill those empty tables with satisfied diners
Going out for a meal remains a popular choice in the UK.
But with competition continuing to grow, getting more customers through the door takes more than just good food.
Recent KPMG research found that 59% of respondents had eaten at a restaurant so far in 2026.
Customers are faced with dozens of choices, sometimes all located in the same areas, so these five tips will help you attract new customers, build loyalty and keep diners coming back.
Offer discounts and promotions
Limited-time offers are what bring people through the front door for the first time. Create a sense of urgency with weekday lunch deals, happy hours and seasonal menus that customers won’t want to miss.
Getting new customers in to experience everything, from the atmosphere to the food, is half the battle. Don’t discount everything though. Promotions work best when used strategically to bring people in during times it’s usually quiet.
An early-week offer could work especially well to encourage customers to visit on a Monday or Tuesday rather than discounting meals during weekend periods when it’s already busier.
Once you’ve got them through the door, the next goal is to give them a reason to come back.
Build a customer loyalty programme
Make sure to reward repeat customers and not sideline them by always chasing new ones.
Loyal customers are more likely to spread the good word to friends and family, and trusted word-of-mouth recommendations can be one of the most valuable forms of marketing for your business.
You can encourage continued engagement from repeat customers through things like digital loyalty cards and points, or a free drink or dessert after a set number of visits.
Use social media to your advantage
Many businesses use social media to attract more customers, using platforms such as Facebook and Instagram to share photos and short, snappy lines that pique people’s interest.
The key to making this work is to post consistently. Share new dishes, events, behind-the-scenes content and customer favourites. This gives you a great opportunity to interact with your audience too.
Replying to comments and messages can help build a sense of community around your restaurant and lets potential customers interact with your business before they even visit.
Consistent, good-quality posting can become quite a task, so consider scheduling a member of staff for a few hours each week to create and manage social content.
Staff scheduling software can help make this much easier, letting you set aside this time while making sure you still have enough cover during busy periods.
Manage your online reputation
Many people read online reviews before visiting a new restaurant, so encouraging happy customers to leave a Google review is an excellent way to give potential customers the extra confidence they need to walk through the door.
Respond politely to these positive reviews as well as any negative reviews. This ensures your business comes across as approachable, friendly and trustworthy.
Make it as easy as possible for potential customers to find you by keeping opening hours, menus and contact details updated across Google and social media.
Provide excellent customer service
It takes a strong team to provide an all-round great experience for customers. Friendly service can turn first-time diners into regulars who provide those much-needed word-of-mouth recommendations.
This is where the little things matter. Greet customers promptly, resolve issues quickly and efficiently, and make sure your staff know the menu well.
Using reminders and notifications can also help keep staff up to date with important information before their shifts. Together, these small details can leave a lasting impression, so make sure all staff are trained to deliver great service consistently.
There isn’t just one solution or strategy to bringing new customers in, and you don’t have to implement all these changes at once either. Over time, small improvements to both your marketing and the dining experience can have a big impact.
Combining a strong online presence, great customer service, worthwhile promotions and consistent engagement can help you build a restaurant brand that customers recognise and trust.
Consistency is the key to not only attracting new customers but turning them into regulars.