Amid a crowded market, it can be tough for independent restaurateurs to stand out. Offering unique menu items, paying extra attention to customer service and highlighting value are all great ways to attract—and keep—customers, but in order to remain competitive, operators have to go the extra mile. That means stocking brands customers know and love and truly showcasing why diners should visit one establishment instead of another, all by highlighting value.
Drawing diners in
Over the past two years at restaurants, check averages—driven by increased menu prices—are up 10.6%, according to Technomic’s recent Value & Pricing Consumer Trend Report. Consumers are more than aware of these increases. Eighty-seven percent say they have noticed higher menu prices and they’ve sought a variety of ways to cut back on costs, including ordering fewer items and visiting restaurants less frequently. To attract diners back in, restaurants have to offer value. According to Technomic’s Value & Pricing report, 48% of consumers can more easily justify spending money if it’s a good value, and 47% feel better about eating out if they know they got a good value. Value, of course, doesn’t necessarily just mean price. Value also includes giving diners the very best there is. Menuing their favorite brands and products they know and love can help to create a good value perception, and partnering with brands that understand the importance of value is a winning strategy.
Partnering with a brand that understands
For independent operators, communicating value and quality is crucial. Working with brands that understand that can be a big help—and that’s where Heinz Verified comes in. Heinz Verified is a national program that helps independent restaurants showcase that they serve Heinz, the No. 1 consumer-preferred ketchup brand. In a competitive market, Heinz Verified gives restaurants a recognizable badge that helps to drive traffic and build credibility by showing customers that quality is top priority. Additionally, restaurants that Heinz Verified gain access to branded merchandise, insights, free samples, marketing support and promotions.
By signing on to the Heinz Verified program, restaurants signal to customers that they can expect the best when they dine there—and generating that value will pay for itself in droves in customer loyalty. Diners have more options than ever when it comes to where to dine, and restaurants that set themselves apart from the competition will come out on top. To learn more about the Heinz Verified program—and to learn more about getting connected with national visibility, social buzz and exclusive marketing tools—visit https://www.kraftheinzawayfromhome.com/getheinzverified.
This post is sponsored by Kraft Foodservice