Taking out the Takeout Competition – Innovation Through Competition
Written by Chef Colin Burslem, Culinary Director for Joseph Richard Group and Meal Ticket Brands
According to this Yelp article, over the last seven years, online ordering has grown more than three times faster than dine-in services. Among Canadians, takeout is by far the most popular way for a consumer to engage with a restaurant. If you want to capitalize on this market and become the go-to restaurant in your area for takeout, here are some tips you need!
1. Consistency and Quality are Top Priority
The way to build customer loyalty and create repeat customers is through consistency and quality. Quality enhances your restaurant’s reputation, and consistency builds trust. There’s nothing more disappointing than ordering your favourite dish for takeout and digging in to find it either doesn’t taste the same or the dish slightly varies from the original.
2. Differentiation in Offerings and Products
If every restaurant in your area offers a ‘Cheese Burger and Fries’ item on their menu, what will make the consumer pick yours? Having items on your menu that differentiate from the crowd will help drive consumer choice.
Remember that the best form of flattery is imitation. Part of differentiation might mean taking an idea or dish and tweaking it to make it your own – add your spin or improvisation to the dish.
3. Always Stay Ahead of the Trends
Trends are an indication of the general direction an industry is heading. Use trends to find creative ways to bring flavours to the forefront and innovative ways to highlight features. Some trends include plant-based foods, healthy foods that are good for your gut, superfoods, and kombucha.
4. Simple Combinations
They say less is more. This can be especially true when it comes to the world of takeout. Focus on simple combinations that showcase the food and the ingredients in each dish. Rather than having eight complex components in a dish, which have a higher chance of being poorly executed, focus on a few well-executed and delicious components in each dish.
5. Always Make Use of Technology
Technology is and always will be a friend to restaurants. When it comes to takeout, delivery services such as DoorDash and Skip the Dishes are a game-changer. Not only do they help widen the organic reach of your restaurant, but they also generate brand awareness while adding to your sales and revenue.
6. Do What You Know
Stick with the dishes that you are the most comfortable with and do those well. If you try to do too much, you’ll likely find yourself stretched too thin, leading to underperformance and disappointment.
7. Know Your Competition
It’s essential to understand the strengths and weaknesses of your competitors. This will help you know where to improve and what you can do to become the best. The easiest way to do this is to see what people say about the competition online. Check competitors’ reviews and social media to get a good idea of what the public thinks about each establishment. Don’t be afraid to check them out for yourself. Order takeout from each establishment and see what your experience is like; this lets you gather first-hand knowledge.
The recipe to success in the world of takeout is to focus on consistency and quality. At the end of the day, your food will speak for itself, and it’s important to produce a menu that you are proud of and showcases the best that your restaurant has to offer. Incorporating takeout into your restaurant not only boosts your revenue and growth but also extends your culinary reach to a broader audience. So what are you waiting for? It’s time to take out the competition.
