We all have our favorite, go-to restaurants. And we also have the ones that we pass and think “we should go there sometime.” How can a restaurant make sometime now?
While there are a number of promotional plans and marketing tactics that can be utilized, window displays are among the most effective. Retail Magazine estimates that “Window displays alone can boost foot traffic by 23%.”
Let’s look at 6 restaurant window display ideas that can help increase foot traffic.
1. “This is who we are”
You’ve got your name on the door but it doesn’t really explain what kind of restaurant you are.
- Casual or black tie?
- American fare or international cuisine?
- Family friendly or date night?
- Quiet dining or peanut shells on the floor?
Using images and design elements, you can quickly convey a lot about what people can expect when they step inside.
2. “You’ve got to try this”
Use the space on your windows to get people excited about what excites your restaurant.
- Showcase large images of your newest menu item.
- Announce the return of a favorite dish.
- Invite people to stop in on Friday nights and hear local bands.
- Is the patio finally open?
- Has the seating been renovated?
Whatever special events or offerings or changes to your space you’ve made, restaurant window graphics are a great way to get patrons curious.
3. Provide some “local flavor”
Communities are possessive about their restaurants. When you visit a new town, people often say “Oh you have to visit our (restaurant name.)” A restaurant window display would be a great place to carry on that civic pride.
- Utilize clever imagery to integrate your mascot/brand into local landmarks.
- Create a message of congratulations for local high school achievements.
- Partner with civic organizations to promote their mission/message.
With these types of restaurant window display ideas you are subtly promoting the restaurant by promoting what’s important to you.
4. A seasonal celebration
Seasonal celebrations can be fun restaurant window display ideas. But the first thing you have to decide is what seasons you are celebrating.
- Will you be creating graphics that correspond with winter, spring, summer, and fall? This could be done with images of natural markers of the season (snow, spring flowers, etc). Or you could also choose one holiday a calendar season to focus on.
- Are you located in a college town where it makes sense to focus your window messaging on the seasonal arrival and departure of college students?
- If the theme of your restaurant is sports related, you will of course want your display to reflect the sport in season.
- Do you have popular seasonal dishes that should become the “face” of your space?
Of course, there is always the option to create a restaurant window display that uses all of the key markers of each season in one fun display.
5. An artistic touch
The window display ideas up to now have all been message-based, but what if you considered an artistic approach. You could cover your windows in colors and shapes that added to the aesthetic of your building. They don’t overtly invite people in, but they can create an atmosphere that induces people to see what’s inside.
6. “Look at that”
There isn’t a rule that window graphics for restaurants have to focus on food. A fun display would be one that grabs a person’s attention in a viral way. You can use digital window graphics or even augmented reality to capture attention.
Imagine walking by your restaurant, looking in the window and seeing:
- Jungle scenes
- Space battles
- A mascot in motion
These displays get people walking in and later telling friends and sharing pics on social media. The goal is to create a conversation or in a sense, go viral, to create greater awareness of the restaurant and by doing so drive new visits.
Extend the experience
Whatever you put onto your restaurant window graphics, consider supporting it with a QR code printed right into the graphic. This creates an opportunity to extend the experience the patron first encountered in the display.
You can use the QR code to:
- Share your menu
- Promote upcoming events
- Showcase your latest marketing video
A QR code could even build new opportunities for awareness and engagement. For example, if your window graphics celebrate the community, the QR code may take you to a “Where’s Waldo” type of game where the patron has to find the restaurant mascot in that same window graphic. Doing so can earn them a free drink. It’s a great opportunity to close on a customer interaction that started when they looked in the window.
LINTEC brings restaurant window graphics to life
These window display ideas can be used whether you have two windows or an entire glass facade. The real decision shouldn’t be space-based, but which direction best represents your brand.
When you’re ready to create a restaurant window display that will turn “next-time patrons” into “let’s eat diners”, the team at LINTEC can help. Contact them today to discuss the types of window displays that might be best for your restaurant.
