When I was running a restaurant, getting predictable orders was the hardest part.
Weekends were busy. Weekdays were quiet.
And the quiet days were the ones that made it hard to keep the lights on.
If that sounds familiar, you’re not alone. I hear this same story from restaurant owners every day.
Most owners think the answer is more new customers.
In reality, the restaurants that grow consistently focus on something else: turning visitors into loyal customers.
New customers don’t drive growth
When I was running our restaurant, like most owners, we focused heavily on getting new customers.
That always felt like the right thing to do.
But at the end of each week, when we looked at what actually paid the bills, it was the repeat orders from regulars that mattered most.
Over time, the same pattern showed up again and again.
That’s when it became clear: regulars matter far more than new customers.
How to turn visitors into regulars
Most restaurant owners assume that once someone eats at their restaurant, they’ve gained a customer.
In reality, in most local restaurants, the majority of first-time visitors never come back.
A new customer doesn’t automatically become a regular.
Here’s what consistently works, based on our years of real-world experience.
1. Give every customer a reason to come back
In a busy world, most customers forget a restaurant soon after their first visit—even if they enjoyed the food.
The restaurants that thrive give customers a clear reason to return and gently remind them, with permission.
One caution: Reaching out to customers without consent backfires and leaves a negative impression.
2. Acknowledge and reward loyalty
Good food brings people in.
Feeling appreciated is what keeps them coming back.
3. Make it easy for regulars to bring their friends
People still trust recommendations from friends more than anything they see online.
Word of mouth is powerful—but it doesn’t happen by accident.
Restaurants that grow make it easy, and worthwhile, for loyal customers to recommend them to friends.
Want This Done for You at no risk?
Most restaurant owners don’t know how many regular customers they have—or when a regular quietly stops coming back.
That’s where Joyous comes in.
We help local restaurants get more orders by keeping your restaurant fresh in diners’ minds through continuous engagement—without adding work to your plate.
No contracts. No risk.
If you don’t make money, neither do we.
