In the world of deli ownership, one thing's for certain. It's essential that your deli is unique; that it's got something special setting it apart from competitors. How's your deli doing? If things aren't quite as busy or successful as you'd like, it's time for a professional tune-up. Keep reading for two ways you can increase your business and give your deli the "It" factor it needs to succeed.
Start With the Menu
If it's been a while since you've last gone through your menu with a fine-toothed comb, now's the perfect time to do just that.
Is there something that you're known for, that customers are always asking for? If yes, you're on the right track. If you don't, consider polling your customers as they come in. Find out what's a hit, what's a miss. Honest feedback is invaluable to success. Don't be afraid to ask for it.
In today's market, there is a huge demand for natural, organic or other healthy options. Does your menu hit those marks? The good news is, there's help available. You don't need to prepare everything in house, especially if you're running a larger deli catering to a wide-spread demographic of customers. Connecting with distributors such as Culinares Foods is a great way to increase the variety of your offerings while also ensuring consistency in quality.
Make It Interactive
When it comes to boosting your business, your customers hold the key to your success. Getting them involved is essential, whether it's through a contest over social media naming your newest sandwich creation, starting up a rewards program or by setting up an after-hours cooking class series. Whatever you can do to interact with your community will be beneficial, so don't hesitate to be bold.
Make it a priority to be as welcoming as possible. Training your staff (even the ones who won't interact much with customers) to be polite, hospitable and professional will go a long way. This will also ensure you've got a strong staffing model, providing everyone with the knowledge to cover for others without skipping a beat. And that means just one thing — excellent service that gets noticed by customers.
Your deli's success depends on your hard work and dedication to your business, the brand you're creating and to the customers who keep it going. Fine-tuning along the way is the key to keeping it all together.
