Skip to main content
IndustriesInfluencersPR ToolsPublic Relations

7 Tips to Successfully Launch a Restaurant

By February 18, 2020March 23rd, 2021No Comments
restaurant launch pr

With restaurants popping up on almost every corner, it’s critical to have a solid plan when opening a new restaurant. At Aspen and Fort Lauderdale-based public relations agency Durée & Company, we have over 20 years of experience in launching restaurants for numerous brands in Miami and Aspen and everywhere in between. We know what it takes to get publicity for a new restaurant, and it starts with a well thought out strategy.

We’re dishing out 7 tips to successfully launch a restaurant:

  1. Create a Launch Timeline – When opening a new restaurant, it’s important to create a timeline of all deliverables. Opening a restaurant has a lot of moving parts therefore it is important to stay organized so that there is enough time to strategize and execute the launch properly. Also, many public relations tactics require significant lead time. Your launch plan should include evaluating the market and competing restaurants, creating a SWOT analysis, determining price points for menu items and ROI as well as branding and marketing the restaurant.
  2. Connect with the Community – Understanding your restaurant’s target demographic is key to its success. Knowing your community and who will dine at your restaurant is a crucial part of creating a successful business. It’s important to learn what drives your customer and their dining habits. Joining the local Chamber of Commerce, Convention and Visitors Bureau, concierge associations and other local community organizations can help you do just that. These organizations can also provide marketing support for your restaurant through eblasts, social media posts and community events.
  3. Host Mock Services – A successful tactic to train your restaurant’s staff is hosting mock services for friends and family. Invite guests in to experience the restaurant prior to its opening at a complimentary or reduced rate. This allows your staff to practice what they’ve learned in a forgiving environment. Be sure to include comment cards and collect their emails for future communication.
  4. Send Out a Press Release to Announce the Opening – When writing a press release to announce the opening, ensure that it has everything a journalist needs to craft a story. The release should include the who, what, when, where, why and how, and links to the brand’s website and social media channels. Your press release should also offer up a key spokesperson or executive chef from the brand that the reporter can interview. Also, remember, in the food industry imagery is key. You should include a working link to photos of the restaurant, food and lifestyle shots. When sending out the release, it’s important to research and identify journalists, food critics and influencers that are appropriate in your restaurant’s market. Cooking demonstrations on local TV stations are also a fun way to tease a restaurant opening. Pre-publicity is important for creating a buzz for the restaurant!
  5. Host a Media Sneak Peek – Invite media and influencers to preview the restaurant prior to its opening for an exclusive sneak peek. Pre-publicity is often secured by media and influencers experiencing the restaurant firsthand. Give guests a tour of the restaurant and allow them to sample different menu items and signature cocktails. At the event, ensure that there is a brand spokesperson and chef who can educate guests about the restaurant and its menu offerings.
  6. Host a Grand Opening Celebration and Ribbon Cutting Ceremony with Key Community Members, VIPs, Media and Influencers – Everyone loves a good party! Host a grand opening celebration that your guests will never forget and so that they can get to become familiar with the restaurant. When planning the event, determine if entertainment such as a live band or DJ aligns with your brand. Curate a guest list of VIPs, media and influencers who will introduce the restaurant to their following. Welcome guests with a sampling of menu items and specialty drinks. Create a fun “Instagrammable” moment (plus a custom hashtag!) that will encourage guests to post about their experience on their own social media channels. Don’t forget to create a gift bag with items your guests will love with your logo on it!
  7. Invite Media and Influencers to Experience the Restaurant – Once the restaurant is open, leverage food bloggers and media to increase restaurant traffic and generate brand awareness. Invite these contacts into the restaurant for a complimentary media dine to try various menu items, with the hope that they will write, post or blog about the experience. By trying the restaurant, these individuals can provide a true review and become brand ambassadors. Leveraging these relationships will often result in great content for you and them to share.

Looking to launch a restaurant? We’ll help you with a recipe for success. Check out our Dynamo Diary or Instagram for more insight and #behindthescenes on #PRlife!

 

 

About Durée & Company 

Durée & Company, Inc. is an award-winning, full-service public relations, marketing and special events firm founded in 1999. The firm has offices in Fort Lauderdale, Florida and Aspen, Colorado. Durée & Company serves the corporate, agency and nonprofit arenas for local, national and international clients. Services include public relations, social media, marketing, content development, advertising, special events, branding, radio promotions and more. Durée & Company clients include well-known names in business, fashion, hospitality, travel, wellness and CBD, marine & yacht, art and culture, nonprofit organizations, legal and professional services and real estate. Durée & Company is a member of PR Boutiques International™ (PRBI), an international network of boutique PR firms. To learn more, go to https://dureeandcompany.com/, visit Durée & Company on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/DureeCoPR/, Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/dureecopr Twitter at https://twitter.com/dureecopr or YouTube at https://www.youtube.com/user/DureeAndCompany, or call 954-723-9350.

 

Tags:

Recommended For You

Influencer Relations and Marketing InfluencersInspirationLifestylePR Tools

5 Ways a Custom Approach to Influencer Relations and Marketing Will Grow a Brand

Jenna
JennaApril 23, 2024
Duree & Company Public Relations 4/20 Cannabis, CBD and HempPR ToolsPublic Relations

7 Ways to Use Public Relations to Maximize 4/20

Samantha Mozdzierz
Samantha MozdzierzApril 16, 2024
medical marijuana ruling Cannabis, CBD and HempPublic Relations

Florida Supreme Court Green Lights Marijuana Legalization Initiative for November Ballot

Jenna
JennaApril 1, 2024

Leave a Reply

OFFICIAL CONTEST AND GIVEAWAY RULES NO PURCHASE IS NECESSARY TO ENTER OR WIN. VOID WHERE PROHIBITED. A PURCHASE DOES NOT INCREASE THE CHANCES OF WINNING. PARTICIPATION IN THE PROMOTION CONSTITUTES YOUR AGREEMENT TO BE BOUND BY THESE OFFICIAL RULES. OPEN TO LEGAL RESIDENTS OF THE UNITED STATES (EXCLUDING PUERTO RICO, THE U.S. VIRGIN ISLANDS, AND OTHER COMMONWEALTHS, TERRITORIES AND POSSESSIONS), 18 YEARS OR OLDER.

  1. Terms. By entering this 20/20 contest (“Contest”) and accepting these terms, you agree to be bound by the following rules (“Official Rules”), which constitute a binding agreement between you and Durée & Company, Inc. These Official Rules apply to all online (Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, YouTube, etc.) contests unless otherwise noted.

 

  1. Official Rules: Entrants must fill out all required fields on the entry form to participate in the Contest. After submitting the required information on the entry form, the entrant will receive one (1) entry into the 20/20 Contest. The Contest will begin on January 20, 2020 at 8:30 A.M. ET and end on February 20, 2020 at 8:30 A.M. ET (“Contest Entry Period”). All times in the Contest refer to Eastern Time (“ET”). Contest is subject to all applicable federal, state and local laws. Limit one (1) Entry per company during the Contest Period. Entries generated by a script, macro, or other automated means or by any means that subverts the entry process will be disqualified. Entries must be received before January 20, 2020 at 8:30 A.M. ET to be eligible for the Contest.

 

  1. Eligibility. Contest is open only to individuals participate in the Contest or submit an entry and who are eighteen (18) years of age as of the date of entry (“Entrant”). The Contest is only open to legal United States residents who have at least one physical location in Florida, and is void where prohibited by law. Employees of Durée & Company, its affiliates, subsidiaries, advertising and promotion agencies, and suppliers, (collectively the “Employees”), and immediate family members and/or those living in the same household of Employees are not eligible to participate in the Contest. The Contest is subject to all applicable federal, state, and local laws and regulations.

 

  1. Agreement to Rules. By participating, the Entrant agrees to be fully unconditionally bound by these Official Rules. Entrant represents and warrants that they meet the eligibility requirements. In addition, Entrant agrees to accept the decisions of Durée & Company as final and binding as it relates to the content of this Contest.

  

  1. How to Enter. Entrants must fill out the contest form entirely and send to the name/contact information as instructed. Any automated computer receipt, such as one confirming delivery of email, does not constitute proof of entry for the purposes of these Official Rules. The entry must fulfill all Contest requirements, as specified, to be eligible to win. Entries that are incomplete or do not adhere to the rules or specifications may be disqualified at the sole discretion of Durée & Company. Fraudulent methods or other attempts to circumvent the rules will disqualify an Entrant’s eligibility at the sole discretion of Durée & Company. Durée & Company may disqualify any Entry for any reason, In its sole and absolute discretion.

 

  1. Prizes. The Winner(s) of the Contest (the “Winner”) will receive 20 hours of free services per month for 3 months. No cash or other prize substitution shall be permitted except at Durée & Company’s discretion. The prize is nontransferable. Any and all prize-related expenses, including without limitation any and all federal, state, and/or local taxes, shall be the sole responsibility of Winner. The prize is awarded “AS IS” and WITHOUT WARRANTY OF ANY KIND. No substitution of prize or transfer/assignment of prize to others or request for the cash equivalent by Winner is permitted. Acceptance of prize constitutes permission for Durée & Company to use Winner’s name, likeness, and entry for purposes of advertising and trade without further compensation, unless prohibited by law.

 

  1. Rights Granted by You: By entering this Contest, the Entrant understands and agrees that Durée & Company, anyone acting on behalf of Durée & Company, and Durée & Company’s licensees, successors, and assigns, have the right, where permitted by law, to print, publish, broadcast, distribute, and use in any media now known or hereafter developed, in perpetuity and throughout the world, without limitation, the Entrant’s entry, name, portrait, picture, voice, likeness, image, statements about the Contest, and biographical information for news, publicity, information, trade, advertising, public relations, and promotional purposes, without any further compensation, notice, review, or consent.

 

  1. Terms & Conditions: Durée & Company reserves the right, in its sole discretion, to cancel, terminate, modify or suspend the Contest should virus, bug, non-authorized human intervention, fraud, or other cause beyond Durée & Company’s control corrupt or affect the administration, security, fairness, or proper conduct of the Contest. In such case, Durée & Company may select the Winner from all eligible entries received prior to and/or after (if appropriate) the action taken by Durée & Company. Durée & Company reserves the right, in its sole discretion, to disqualify any individual who tampers or attempts to tamper with the entry process or the operation of the Contest or website or violates these Terms & Conditions.

 

Durée & Company has the right, in its sole discretion, to maintain the integrity of the Contest, to void votes for any reason, including, but not limited to: multiple entries from the same user from different IP addresses; multiple entries from the same computer in excess of that allowed by Contest rules; or the use of bots, macros, scripts, or other technical means for entering. Any attempt by an entrant to deliberately damage any website or undermine the legitimate operation of the Contest may be a violation of criminal and civil laws. Should such attempt be made, Durée & Company reserves the right to seek damages to the fullest extent permitted by law.

 

  1. Disqualification. If an Entrant is found ineligible, or if he/she does not comply with the Official Rules, then such Entrant will be disqualified. If a prize, prize documentation, or prize notification is returned as undeliverable or unclaimed, this will result in disqualification. In the event an Entrant is deemed ineligible or disqualified for any reason, then an alternate potential winner will be selected.

 

  1. Disputes. THIS CONTEST IS GOVERNED BY THE LAWS OF THE UNITED STATES AND FLORIDA, WITHOUT RESPECT TO CONFLICT OF LAW DOCTRINES. As a condition of participating in this Contest, participant agrees that any and all disputes that cannot be resolved between the parties, and causes of action arising out of or connected with this Contest, shall be resolved individually, without resort to any form of class action, exclusively before a court located in Minnesota having jurisdiction. Further, in any such dispute, under no circumstances shall participant be permitted to obtain awards for, and hereby waives all rights to, punitive, incidental, or consequential damages, including reasonable attorney’s fees, other than participant’s actual out-of-pocket expenses (i.e. costs associated with entering this Contest). Entrant further waives all rights to have damages multiplied or increased.

 

  1. Winner(s) will be announced by March 20, 2020.

 

  1. Sponsor. The Sponsor of the Contest is Durée & Company, Inc. 10620 Griffin Road, Suite 208, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33328

 

  1. Social Media. The Contest hosted by Durée & Company is in no way sponsored, endorsed, administered by, or associated with Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram.

Five Things That Need to be in Your Resume or Cover Letter

To paraphrase Jerry Maguire, help us help you. As we sift through the paperwork, here’s what we are looking for:

1. What you love to do and why.

In PR, you may love writing, editing, interviewing, pitching the media, researching, coordinating events, networking, posting to social media … whew! While we would love it if you had a passion for it all, we’d never believe you if you said as much.

What part of this zany, crazy, whirlwind, yet meticulous, tedious, detail-oriented, profession calls to you and why? Help us make the connection as to how PR is really for you, and call it your Professional Summary.

2. Something you did that changed something or someone else.

If you never showed up to your last job, what wouldn’t have happened? That’s right. Erase yourself. Now which clients disappeared with you? Which articles just fade away? What press releases cease to exist? How much social media did NOT get liked?

We are just meeting you. So take a moment to spell out your impact, and it will be easier for us to see what you can do for the clients of Durée & Company. Share this under your Job Responsibilities.

3. Anything you created.

Feeling humble? Well, stop it. This is the part where you brag. If you craft a delightful blog, master a mind-blowing website, shoot crazy video or direct wonderful events, show us.

Then tell us a bit of how you did it, so we trust that it was your brilliance and not the intern’s. Let’s dub this Your Portfolio.

4. An indication of why you belong here.

At PR firm Durée & Company, we have a culture. Really, all companies do. To learn about ours, do some legwork. At this point, if you’re on our blog, you are in the right spot to begin learning. Hate pink? Not good with women? Live in Kansas? Low energy? Then you might want to reconsider applying. However, if we resemble a group that you’d like to hang out with, share why. You can do that in the Cover Letter.

5. Correctly spelled words – all of them.

Do more than hit spell check. Know how to spell or ask someone to proofread. Correctly spelled words work everywhere, all the time. Consider them the Little Black Dresses of resumes.

So consider these five tips – we’ve just given you a “cheat sheet” about what we’re watching out for. Even if our position may not be for you, feel free to use our advice for another – it may just get you the job!