When it comes to food, college students are an extremely lucrative customer base. With a lifestyle characterized by studying, parties, and a reluctance to cook, hungry students are always looking for the next bite. But the question remains: how can you make your eatery the local favorite for young academics? Let’s dive into our top 5 tips on mastering restaurant marketing for college students!
1. Offer Student Discounts
One thing is for sure: college students’ appetites are bigger than their wallets. Plus, food from the dining hall gets old quick (and one can only use the shared microwave so many times). Craft tempting student discounts – think 10% off, buy-one-get-one free deals, or weekend sales to appeal to college students. (Require that they show their student ID to qualify.) Consider introducing a loyalty program to encourage repeat orders, too. Plan to promote your deals around midterms, finals week, and game days.
Once you have a great offer in place, publicize it at college events, on bulletin boards, and through delivery app promotions. Remember: word-of-mouth is essential when it comes to restaurant marketing for students. Make sure you don’t sacrifice quality or delivery speeds for your limited-time offers!
2. Extend your Hours
Capitalize on students’ late-night munchies, and be the place that delivers food any hour of the day. Extending your hours on prime college party days (Thursday-Sunday) sets you apart from competitors, and keeps your revenue channels active. It’s also a great way to ensure repeat orders! Today’s leading restaurant software lets you update your hours easily, so you’re always ready for the rush between classes.
3. Hire a College Student to Run your Restaurant’s Social Media
Gen Z college students live and breathe social media. And guess what? Many are eager to strengthen their resumes – even if it’s in exchange for class credit. If you want a surefire way to resonate with college kids, who’s better to lead your restaurant’s online presence than one of their own? It’s a win-win. They get hands-on experience, and you can optimize your brand’s TikTok and Instagram pages.
4. Create a Comfortable Atmosphere
If your eatery has a distinct vibe, emphasize dine-in service in your restaurant marketing. Complimentary Wi-Fi, comfy chairs, and open power outlets are a big draw for students looking to write an essay. With fall temperatures coming up, cozy decorations and free refills will go a long way to bring college students out of their campus, too.
5. Partner with Student Organizations
Student clubs and organizations are always looking to tap into community venues for events, fundraisers, and meetings. Consider how your restaurant can accommodate the needs of certain student groups. Can your bar host a party? Does your diner have room for a sports team? Is your cafe available at peak study times? Reach out to leaders on-campus, and let them know that you’re ready to help students however you can. An academic contact goes a long way for establishing credibility with students!
Earn an A+ in restaurant marketing!
Marketing to college students is all about understanding their needs, habits, and preferences. By creating a student-friendly atmosphere and leveraging targeted promotions, you can make your restaurant part of the college experience!
