Running a successful digital promotion isn’t just about slapping a discount onto your menu—it’s about engineering offers that drive foot traffic, increase average order value, and build long-term loyalty. For restaurants advertising on our platform, every euro spent should translate into measurable returns. In this post, we’ll walk through five actionable strategies to help you fine-tune your offers for maximum ROI.
Before launching any promotion, get clear on:
- Cost of Goods Sold (COGS): Exactly how much each menu item costs you to prepare.
- Desired Margin: The minimum profit margin you need to sustain your business.
- Break-Even Discount Rate: The deepest discount you can offer without selling at a loss.
Pro Tip: Use a spreadsheet to model different discount scenarios. For example, if your COGS is €4 on a €10 dish, a 30% discount (€3 off) still leaves you a €3 margin.
Standalone discounts are tempting, but bundling can increase customer spend:
- “Meal for Two” Bundles: Combine a main + side + drink at 20% off the combined price.
- Add-On Upsells: Offer a €2 dessert add-on for orders over €20.
- Cross-Category Mixes: Pair a popular appetizer with a family-style entrée to encourage group orders.
By nudging diners to add more items, you dilute the impact of the discount while boosting per-ticket revenue.
Not all days or times deliver the same traffic:
- Off-Peak Boosters: Offer happy-hour style deals (e.g., 2-for-1 appetizers) on weekdays between 3pm–5pm.
- Weekend Premium Offers: Tap into higher weekend traffic with limited-edition specials that justify a smaller discount but create urgency.
- Seasonal & Event-Driven Promotions: Align with local events (football matches, city festivals) to ride built-in demand waves.
Example: A “Midweek Margarita Madness” campaign on Tuesdays can turn a slow day into your second-busiest night.
Our platform’s cashback feature is ideal for nurturing loyalty:
1. Entry-Level Cashback (5%): Applies to any order, introducing customers to your brand.
2. Premium Cashback (10%): Unlocks after a second purchase within 30 days.
3. VIP Cashback (15%): Reserved for three or more visits in a quarter.
Tiered rewards create a sense of progression—customers are motivated to reach the next level rather than bank a one-off deal.
Your offer’s description is the first thing diners see—make it count:
- Headline with Benefit: “Buy One, Get One Free Tacos” tells exactly what customers get.
- Short Value Proposition: “Save €5 and double up on your favorites.”
- Urgency Signals: “Valid this Friday only” or “Limited to the first 50 orders.”
- Redemption Instructions: “Show this screen to your waiter” or “Use code TACOBOGO at checkout.”
Clear copy reduces customer confusion and support inquiries, ensuring a smooth redemption experience.
1. Set Clear KPIs:
- Number of redemptions
- Incremental revenue vs. baseline
- New vs. returning customers
2. Monitor Daily: Look for early warning signs—if redemptions fall below projections by day two, consider tweaking the offer.
3. A/B Test Variations:
- Compare a 20% discount vs. a “€5 off” flat rate.
- Test different bundle combinations.
4. Gather Feedback: Post-redemption surveys can uncover friction points (e.g., “Was the offer clear?”).
La Petite Crêperie launched a “Sweet Duo” bundle: two crêpes + two coffees for €12 (20% off).
- Result: 150% increase in average weekend spend.
- ROI: €1,200 incremental profit over a 2-week run.
- Key Lesson: Bundles with perceived value beat flat discounts.
Maximizing ROI on digital promotions is a blend of art and science. By understanding your unit economics, structuring offers that drive spend, timing them for peak impact, and leveraging our cashback tiers, you’ll turn every campaign into a win–win: great value for diners and profitable growth for your restaurant.
Ready to design your next campaign? Log in to your Partner Dashboard, set up your offer, and watch the results roll in. And if you need personalized advice, our support team is just a message away!
Happy promoting—and here’s to your highest-ever ROI!
