Every restaurant has them: The "Regulars" who just stopped coming in. They didn't have a bad meal; life just got busy, they forgot about you, or they tried the new spot down the road. It costs 7 times more to get a new customer than to bring back an old one. If you have a database (email or SMS), you are sitting on a goldmine. Here is the "Win-Back" system to reactivate those "ghosts" this week. 1. The "We Miss You" Rule Don't send a generic "Check out our menu" blast. You need to make them feel noticed. The Segment: Filter your list for anyone who hasn't visited in over 60 days. The Strategy: Use a low-friction, high-value offer that expires quickly to create urgency. 2. The "Short & Sweet" SMS/Email Script People are busy. Your message should take 10 seconds to read. The Copy: "Hey [Name], it's [Your Name] from [Restaurant Name]. We realized we haven't seen you in a while and we miss having you at the table! Use this code: MISSYOU for a free [Appetizer/Drink] with your next meal. Valid until Sunday!" 3. The Expected Result A well-timed win-back campaign typically sees a 5-10% return rate. If you message 200 "ghosts," that is 10-20 tables filled that would have stayed empty. The "Win-Back" AI Generator Don't know how to word it? Use this prompt to create a 3-part sequence that brings them back without sounding desperate. [PASTE THIS PROMPT] "Act as a Direct Response Marketer for a restaurant. I want to create a 'Win-Back' campaign for customers who haven't visited [Restaurant Name] in 60 days. Please write: One Short SMS (max 160 characters) with a clear 'We Miss You' offer. One Subject Line that gets an 80% open rate. One 'Personal' Email that sounds like it came directly from the Chef's personal phone, offering a [Specific Menu Item] as a gift for returning. Tone: Warm, personal, and urgent." P.S. In the Restaurant VIP GROUP, members get my Win-Back Automation Sequence—a series of 3 emails and SMS messages that run on autopilot the moment a customer hits the "60-day ghost" mark.

When someone in your town searches for "best lunch near me" or "steakhouse," who shows up first? Is it you, or the guy down the street who isn't half the cook you are? In 2025, your Google Business Profile (GBP) is more important than your website. It is the digital front door to your restaurant. Most owners "set it and forget it," leaving thousands of Dollars (or Rands) on the table. If you want to stop paying for ads and start getting free traffic from Google, follow this 3-Step Blitz. 1. The 45-Degree Photo Rule Google's AI actually scans your photos to see what kind of food you serve. - The Trick: Stop taking "overhead" flat-lay shots. - The Fix: Take photos at a 45-degree angle with natural side-lighting. This mimics how a customer actually sees the food when it’s placed in front of them. - Action: Upload 3 new "hero" shots of your best-selling dishes today. 2. Keyword-Rich "Review Replies" Don't just say "Thanks for coming!" When you reply to a review, you have a chance to tell Google exactly what you do. - The Method: Use the customer’s name and mention a specific dish. - Example: "Thanks for visiting, Sarah! We're so glad you enjoyed our Smoked Beef Brisket and the Craft Beer selection here in [Your City Name]." - Result: Google now associates your business with those keywords, pushing you higher in search. 3. The "Google Post" Hack Did you know you can post "updates" directly to your Google profile just like Facebook? - Why it works: It shows Google your business is active. - Action: Post one "Weekly Special" or "Behind the Scenes" photo to your Google Profile every Wednesday. - The "GBP Blitz" AI Prompt Don't know what to write for your Google description or updates? Let AI handle the "Local SEO" for you. [PASTE THIS PROMPT] "Act as a Local SEO Expert. I want to optimize my Google Business Profile for my restaurant, [Restaurant Name], located in [City]. We specialize in [Cuisine/Signature Dish]. Please provide: 1. A 750-character 'Business Description' that includes high-volume keywords for our area. 2. Five 'Update Posts' I can use over the next month to show Google we are active. 3. Three suggestions for 'Service Keywords' I should add to my profile to show up in 'near me' searches.

Stop Stressing Over Google Reviews We’ve all been there. It’s 11 PM, you’re exhausted after a double shift, and you see a 3-star review that says: "Food was good, but the music was a bit loud." Your brain wants to ignore it. Your ego wants to fight it. Both are bad for business. Google’s algorithm loves active owners. Responding to reviews—even the "meh" ones—is the fastest way to climb the "Restaurants Near Me" rankings. Here is the "TV-Chef Secret" to handling reviews in 30 seconds using AI: Instead of staring at a blank screen, copy and paste this exact prompt into ChatGPT or Gemini. It uses the "Positive Sandwich" method I use at the Smokehouse to turn critics into regulars. 🛠 The "Review Master" Prompt: *"Act as a world-class Restaurant Guest Relations Manager. I am going to paste a customer review below. I want you to write a professional, warm, and concise response. Follow these 3 rules: 1. Acknowledge: Thank them specifically for visiting [Insert Your Restaurant Name]. 2. Address: If there is a complaint, address it with empathy but without admitting legal liability. 3. The Invite: Invite them back to try [Insert a High-Profit Menu Item]. Tone: Professional but hospitable. 💡 Why this works: 1. It removes the emotion: You don’t get defensive; the AI stays professional. 2. It’s SEO-friendly: By mentioning your restaurant name and a specific menu item, you're feeding Google keywords. 3. It saves you hours: You can burn through 10 reviews in 5 minutes. Give it a try right now! Go find that one review you’ve been avoiding, run it through the prompt, and post your response. Drop a "🔥" in the comments if this saved you some time today!