tough times all around
Sympathy probably won't help. Dining out is "discretionary spending", and the first areas to be hit.
I don't know the level of customer you are trying to "pull". A few things I have seen work around here are half size portions and early dining discounts. This appeals to older clients and is truly a service to them. If appropriate to your setting, a "kids eat free" from a special menu might be a pull. This might be a stretch (and depends where you are located), but if there are clubs or groups in your area that have dinner meetings, possibly offering them the use of your space, and maybe two dinner choices. This is usually a monthly thing, but perhaps a 20% off coupon might bring them back.
Ever watch "Gordon Ramsey" on BBC? He rescues establishments in big trouble in has some good ideas.
One final thought - great smells pull people in. If you have a tourist trade, maybe that smell of grilling ribs when they walk by might be more than they can resist.
Best of luck - it's rough out there. EV
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