Ever wondered how often South Africans head out to eat – and why? Knowing this can help you get more bookings and keep diners coming back.
Our recent survey reveals that dining out is a regular thing for many people, and understanding their habits and reasons can be used to your advantage.
A staggering 95% of South Africans dine out at least once a month, with 41% eating out once a week or more.
Let’s dive into the numbers and see how you can make this information work for your business.
1. How often do South Africans dine out?
Our survey reveals that a staggering 95% of South Africans dine out at least once a month, with 41% eating out once a week or more. This means there’s a good chance your regulars are dining out often! With these stats in mind, here’s how you can get more bookings and repeat guests.
According to responses, 95% of South Africans dine out at least once a month. (Click to zoom.)
2. Top 7 reasons for dining out
Now that we know how often people eat out, let’s look at why they choose to visit a restaurant instead of cooking at home or ordering takeout:
Special occasions are the top reason people visit restaurants. (Click to zoom.)
3. Consistency is key
Regardless of why someone visits your restaurant, consistency is crucial when it comes to your regulars. Because they like your restaurant and visit more often, they expect the same great experience every time. If anything goes wrong – whether it’s the food, service, or anything else – they’ll notice right away and might think your quality has slipped.
Consistency is crucial. Regular guests expect the same experience every time, so any slip-ups will be noticed and could make them think your quality has dropped.
Focus on maintaining high standards across the board, ensuring each visit is as good as the last. This can turn first-time diners into regulars and keep your loyal guests coming back.
4. Cater to special occasions and casual outings
The top two reasons for dining out are special occasions and casual outings with friends and family. To attract those looking to celebrate, position your restaurant on all your marketing platforms as the go-to spot for birthdays, anniversaries, private functions (if you have the space) and other festive celebrations like Christmas, New Year’s Eve, and so on. Offer specials, set menus and packages tiered by budget, and enhance the experience with thoughtful décor, attentive service, and a private dining area.
The top two reasons people dine out are special occasions and casual outings with friends and family.
To attract casual diners, think about offering experiences that cater to various groups:
- Families with kids: Feature kid-friendly menus, activities and play areas for families.
- Groups of friends: Promote brunch or dinner options perfect for a ladies’ get-together, specials for groups to come and enjoy tapas and sharing plates, or watch live sports with well-priced drinks and platters.
- After-work gatherings: Offer a cosy spot for after-work drinks and light bites.
Tailoring your offerings can make your restaurant a favourite for casual gatherings.
5. Attract date night couples and weekend diners
Date nights and weekends are also popular reasons or times for people to eat out. To attract couples, create a romantic setting and a date night special for two. Think candles, cosy corners, delicious food to share and unique wine pairings. Make sure to promote your date night special on your website, social media, and menu, and highlight it regularly in your email and SMS marketing to get the word out.
For the weekends, create deals or themed specials for different types of “weekenders”. Some might enjoy a late, lazy breakfast or brunch with bottomless mimosas or coffee. Others might be up at the crack of dawn with kids and dogs, looking for a place to refuel and entertain the whole family – including their four-legged friends. Find creative ways to make your restaurant appealing to some (or all) of these different groups.
6. Serve quick meals and office lunches
Some people just need a quick meal when they’re too busy to cook. Create a menu with fast, tasty options for lunch or dinner that busy folks can grab without taking too much time out of their day. Offering quick meals without skimping on quality can keep this crowd coming back when they need a convenient meal on the go.
Target office workers and school parents with tailored specials and loyalty programs to keep them coming back when they need a convenient meal on the go.
Similarly, you could target office workers and school parents with tailored specials and loyalty programs. Offering weekday coffee and pastry deals, or quick and affordable lunch options can make your restaurant a reliable choice during their work lunch or school run.
7. Loyalty programs and incentives
People who eat out 2-3 times a week or more are a small but valuable group. To keep them coming back to your restaurant and not your competition, consider starting a loyalty program. Reward frequent diners with perks like discounts, freebies, or special invitations. Ideas include birthday rewards, discounts on their nth visit, or invitations to special events at discounted rates.
Show them they’re valued, and they’re likely to keep choosing your restaurant.
By understanding how often South Africans eat out and why, you can make smart moves to boost bookings and build a loyal diner base. Whether through special deals, loyalty rewards, or staying top of mind, there are plenty of ways to use this information to your advantage.
Have you tried any of these strategies in your restaurant? Share your advice in the comments below.
0 Comments