If you’re working for a restaurant, it may feel like there is no light at the end of the COVID-19 pandemic tunnel. Business is down and, if you are operating in Minnesota, the cold weather will soon scare your outdoor patrons off of your patio.
However, it’s important to remember that this too shall pass. And it is crucial that restaurants prepare for the end of the pandemic and the fierce competition for customers that will ensue. When life finally gets back to normal – no matter when that is – you will need to not only attract new customers to your restaurant but bring your past customers back. In other words, now is the time to start strategizing how you will bring attention to your restaurant and get your name in front of customers again.
One of the best ways to revitalize your brand and bring attention to your restaurant is to change up your signage. The signs you have on display represent your brand and you want your signage to reflect your brand’s voice, values and aesthetic. Here are some tips to take up your restaurant’s signage game during and after the pandemic:
- Add lighting behind or on your main sign. Lighting grabs attention and makes your sign easier to read. It is also a great way to let potential customers know that you are open. According to QSR Magazine, “The right lighting in and on the building, and on the signs, can help customers quickly know which establishments are open for business and help draw them in, whether the restaurant is a downtown area, shopping plaza, or off an exit on the highway.”
- Change your signage coloring to bolder colors, like yellow, orange or red. These are proven to catch the attention of potential customers passing by. Design tool Canva talks about the power of color. In fact, they found that color influences 85% of shoppers’ purchasing decisions and increases brand awareness by 80%. You can’t argue with these stats, so it’s clear that the color of your signage has a huge impact on how your potential customers interact with your business. Warm colors, like red, yellow and orange evoke feelings of warmth, enthusiasm and optimism.
- Consider going digital. Digital signage is an easy way to add tons of flexibility to your offerings. It can be changed and programmed daily, weekly or even hourly, automatically. Whenever you need to highlight a new menu item, special promotion, holiday, event, etc., digital signage can be easily updated. They are also cost-effective as they can be updated in-house for free, rather than having to purchase new signage every time you have new information you want to portray.
Now KORT comes in. We specialize in creating brand-fit, cost-effective restaurant signage that grabs attention and increases restaurant revenue. Even though it may not feel like it now, the pandemic will eventually end and, when it does, we want to make sure that you are positioned to get customers back in your restaurant.
Ready to get started on a new signage strategy? Learn more about what we do on our website or reach out to us at info@kortsigns.com.