Jan 9, 2026
How to increase sales with menu engineering, online ordering, and local marketing tips
Feeling the pressure to boost sales while managing thin margins is part of the deal for every independent restaurant owner. It feels like you need to be a marketing genius, a financial wizard, and a five-star chef all at once.
The good news? You don’t need a massive budget to move the needle. Real sales growth comes from making small, strategic improvements across your entire operation.
This guide skips the fluff and gets right to actionable strategies you can start using this week. We'll focus on two things: what’s happening inside your four walls and how you’re reaching customers outside of them.
Here’s a quick look at the core strategies we'll cover. Each tactic is designed to deliver a measurable return.
StrategyPrimary BenefitTools NeededMenu EngineeringIncrease profit marginsPOS with sales analyticsStaff UpsellingHigher average check sizeStaff training, POS systemCommission-Free Online OrderingKeep 100% of online revenueIntegrated online ordering platformGoogle Business ProfileAttract nearby customersGoogle Business Profile, websitePromotions & LoyaltyDrive repeat businessPOS with loyalty, email/SMS
These aren't random tips; they're interconnected. Optimizing your menu makes upselling more profitable, and a strong online presence drives more customers to experience it. Let's get started.
Your menu is more than a list of food—it's your most powerful sales tool. When done right, it guides customers toward choices that boost your average check size. Small tweaks here can compound into thousands in extra revenue.
Menu engineering answers two questions for every dish: Is it popular? Is it profitable? Your POS data can plot every item into four categories:
Once you know your Stars, redesign your menu layout to draw eyes to them. People naturally look at the top right, center, and top left. Place your most profitable items there. Boxing a "Star" dish can increase its sales by up to 20%.
Presentation matters. Investing in professional, high-quality menus elevates your brand. Use descriptive language: "Chicken Breast" is boring. "Pan-Seared Chicken Breast with a Lemon-Herb Butter Sauce" paints a picture and justifies a higher price. This works for drinks, too—check out our guide on 10 profitable bar menu ideas to boost sales.
One last trick: remove dollar signs ($). Listing a price as "18" instead of "$18.00" makes customers feel like they're spending less, encouraging them to order more.
For many customers, their first impression happens online. Your website and Google Business Profile are your digital front doors. Getting them right means taking back control from third-party apps that skim 15-30% of your profits and hoard your customer data. A direct, commission-free order puts that money back in your pocket.
Platforms like Peppr Grow bring your website and online ordering together to make ordering directly from you easier than using a delivery app.
A restaurant website has one job: turn visitors into customers. It needs to be fast, mobile-friendly, and simple.
Your website must have:
A frictionless ordering process is non-negotiable. Learn more in our restaurant guide to online ordering.
Your Google Business Profile (GBP) might be more important than your website. It's what appears in Google Maps when someone searches for "tacos near me." Claiming and optimizing this is your most effective free marketing tool.
An optimized Google Business Profile can double your calls, website clicks, and direction requests. It’s the digital equivalent of having the best sign on the busiest street.
Fill out every section. Add your menu, upload recent photos, and encourage reviews. Use the "Posts" feature for specials. The more active you are, the more Google will favor you in local searches.
Random discounts can hurt your margins. A well-designed offer doesn't just fill seats on a slow Tuesday; it builds habits and gives guests a reason to choose you.
Every promotion needs a clear goal. Are you trying to boost traffic during a slow period or get more direct online orders? Dig into your POS data to find your slowest dayparts and design offers to fill those gaps.
Proven ideas that work:
A good loyalty program is your best defense against customer churn. Simplicity is key.
Quick Win: The easiest and most effective program is a simple "buy X, get one free" model. "Buy 9 coffees, get the 10th free." It's straightforward, the reward is clear, and customers get it.
An integrated system like Peppr Grow can track purchases automatically and notify customers when they’re close to a reward. This direct communication is invaluable. Learn more in our guide to customer loyalty programs for restaurants.
Driving sales isn't just about getting new customers. It's also about maximizing efficiency once they're seated. Small friction points in your service flow—like a server running to a terminal or a lost ticket—slow down table turns and shrink check sizes.
In a restaurant, time is money. The faster you can turn a table (without rushing guests), the more parties you can serve. Modern POS technology helps shave minutes off every order.
Inefficient staffing eats into profit. Your POS sales reports are a goldmine for scheduling. Dig into the data to see your busiest hours with pinpoint accuracy, allowing you to match staffing to actual customer demand.
For more tips on streamlining workflow, see our guide on how to improve restaurant operations.
When your FOH and BOH teams are in sync, service is seamless. Using the best communication apps for restaurant staff can be a game-changer. Technology isn't about replacing people; it's about empowering them to provide better, faster service.
Real growth comes from consistent action. Don't try to do everything at once. Instead, focus on small, manageable steps that create momentum. Pick one high-impact area each week.
Faster ordering, quicker prep, and smarter staffing are direct levers for profitability. At the end of each week, track key numbers: average check size, online order volume, and table turn time. Seeing those metrics improve is the fuel that keeps you going.
Here are answers to common questions about increasing restaurant sales.
Focus on the customers you already have. Use menu engineering to identify a popular, high-profit "Star" item. Then, train your staff to proactively suggest it. A simple recommendation can significantly increase your average check size without costing a dime.
A good rhythm is a major review twice a year and minor tweaks quarterly. Use quarterly updates to adjust based on sales data, like rewriting the description for an underperforming but profitable dish. This keeps the menu fresh without a full overhaul.
Both are vital, but retaining current customers is five times cheaper than acquiring new ones. Start with a simple, effective loyalty program to build your base of regulars. Once that's solid, dedicate more resources to attracting new faces through your Google Business Profile and local marketing.
Yes, absolutely. Relying only on third-party apps means giving away 15-30% of every sale in commissions, plus your valuable customer data. Your own commission-free system lets you keep 100% of the revenue and build direct relationships with your customers for future marketing.
Ready to take control of your sales and build a more profitable restaurant? Peppr Grow provides the all-in-one platform you need, from a commission-free online ordering website to email and SMS marketing tools that turn first-time visitors into loyal regulars. See how Peppr can help you grow.
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