In
the food-service industry, advertising is critical. There are many ways
to use buttons and badges in this industry. When the advertising budget
is tight, a button maker will expand those precious dollars.
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.
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.