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[Restaurant Masterminds]

Are you looking for new ways to generate business and increase sales? In my restaurant we just simply go back to school...no, I don't mean getting on the bus and actually heading back to elementary.

We partner up with local elementary and middle schools and create an "Honor Roll" award certificate for students who make the honor roll.

The idea is real simple and now the timing is perfect because most schools are ending their 3rd quarter right now. This is all you have to do:

1. Create an award certificate with the schools name on it (I can forward you an example of what we do) We offer a FREE entree up to $10. We print and distribute over 1000 award certificates to local schools EVERY quarter. You can start with one school and track and measure your results before moving on to other schools.

2. Contact the Secretary of the school or the PTO or PTA President and let them know what you would like to do to help recognize top students in their schools.

3. Print certificates and deliver them to the school...Teachers will then sign and hand out award certificates.

4. Create a "wow" dining experience when the parents bring in their child to redeem their award certificate.

The beauty of this promotion is that kids never come in by themselves, the parents always bring them. The redemption rate is over 20% because what parent is going to tell their child "no, we're not going to go celebrate your scholastic achievement". This is one of the best ways to market your restaurant within your community. This one idea has a "snowball" effect within in your community:

A. It shows you give back to the community that supports you.

B. It builds a loyalty and trust with the parents.

C. It helps teachers push kids with an extra incentive...(Plus you've now build relationships with the schools...guess who their going to call to cater the teachers work day lunch?

The benefits are endless with this one idea, but it's up to if you are willing to take the time to go back to school!

Ben Martinez - El Jardin Restaurant
Restaurant Masterminds. - Learn restaurant marketing strategies from Ben Martinez and Restaurant Masterminds