Estimated reading time: 4 minutes
Signage is key in communicating with your customers, at a distance or up close. And whether you’re communicating new offerings or want to showcase your brand, the right signage can make a world of difference at all kinds of small businesses — especially restaurants.
1. Spread the word about your new offerings.
Owning a restaurant is challenging, and during the COVID-19 pandemic, eateries all over the world were forced to pivot their offerings and operations. If you’ve made changes at your restaurant, it’s time to communicate them to your customers. Whether you’re setting up a new outdoor dining space or want to attract new customers with an enticing offer, find the right kind of sign for any small business need.
Signage for restaurants can be used to:
- Spread the word about your new offerings.
- Display QR codes for touch-free menus.
- Attract new customers.
- Reinforce your brand identity.
- Tell passers-by more about your eatery.
1. Spread the word about your new offerings.
Whether you’re offering outdoor dining or debuting a new coffee flavour, announcing a new offering is a great way to excite existing customers and attract new ones. Beyond posting about your new services and offerings on social media, use an old-fashioned sign to get the word out. Hang a vinyl banner in your restaurant’s front window to market expanded delivery options, promotional meal deals or new menu items. Want to share this information with customers inside *and* outside your shop? Go for a double-sided banner to get seen from every angle.
VistaPrint Tip
Is one of your new offerings a designated outdoor pick-up area, or a few takeaway-only parking spaces? Mark these areas with a corresponding A-frame or chalkboard sign so customers know where to pull in.
2. Display QR codes for touch-free menus.
QR codes have made a comeback, especially at restaurants — they’re an easy, affordable way for customers to safely access your menu. Create a QR code that links to your menu, and print it somewhere that’s easy for customers to scan. Use one on an exterior window decal so customers can check out your menu before they sit down, and others on table tents so diners can scan from their seats.
3. Attract new customers.
Everyone that walks or drives by your restaurant is a potential customer. Make sure you’re grabbing their attention with a vinyl banner, poster or A-frame in addition to your permanent restaurant signage. If you plan to use a pavement sign or flag that will take up space on a public pavement, check with your town on local rules and regulations for exterior signage.
As you design this signage for restaurants, consider including an enticing offer to get people in the door. Whether it’s half-price pizzas on Wednesday or free delivery for new customers, offering a discount is a great way to create excitement around your business.
VistaPrint Tip
Ghost kitchens (or delivery-only restaurants) are growing in popularity. Since this type of business doesn’t have a shop front or dining room, getting the attention of passers-by isn’t really an option — instead, market your eatery by distributing flyers, printed menus and postcards throughout your delivery area.
4. Reinforce your brand identity.
Use signage as a branding tool to reinforce your eatery’s identity or set the vibe in your restaurant. From the typography on your table tents to the colours on your A-frame, design your signage in a way that reflects your brand identity.
To reinforce your branding and ensure your sign is easy to read, make sure you follow our expert sign design tips. From colour choice to font size, there’s a lot to keep in mind when you’re creating signage for restaurants.
5. Tell passers-by more about your eatery.
Don’t count on your name alone to tell customers everything they should know about your restaurant. Instead, use visual tools or additional language on your exterior signage to give potential customers more information. Does your eatery specialise in smoothies and juices? Add window decals with icons that reflect these offerings. Do you run an organic pizzeria? Create an outdoor poster that showcases your artisanal ingredients and speciality pizzas. Do you offer delivery? Add a branded car door magnet to your delivery vehicle to attract attention on the go.
Beyond visual cues, a tagline or slogan can tell passers-by more about your restaurant. If your marquee sign simply says ‘Brklyn‘, create a vinyl banner to hang below with more information, like ‘Brklyn All-Day Cafe: Hand-crafted coffee, made-to-order sandwiches & tasty treats’.
