Gift vouchers: the quiet revenue line most restaurants forget
Vouchers bring money in before the meal and new guests through the door. Selling them online takes an afternoon to set up.
Staff1 min read
Gift vouchers are paid for today and eaten later, often by someone who has never been to you before. They are one of the few things in a restaurant that bring in money on a quiet Tuesday in November.
Sell them where people look
Put a "Gift vouchers" link on your website, your booking page and your Instagram profile. Most voucher sales happen on a phone, a few days before a birthday.
Offer two or three choices
Keep it simple:
- a set amount, for any meal
- a tasting menu for two
- a special experience, such as the chef's table
Make the voucher itself feel like a gift
A beautiful email with a personal message, ready to print or forward, matters more than you think. It is the first impression for the person receiving it.
Remind people at the right moments
Before Christmas, Valentine's Day and Mother's Day, a single email to your guests about vouchers often does better than any advert.
