How to Keep Customers Coming Back for Your Food

How to Keep Customers Coming Back for Your Food

Creating a thriving food business isn’t just about making delicious meals; it's also about making sure those who’ve tasted your goods regularly come back for more. Here are some tips and lessons we’ve learned from our Hotplate community to help keep your food business booming.

Champion a Hero Product

Your food business should have a star offering, a hero product that becomes synonymous with your brand. Think: what’s the food that you make best? 

An example we love to bring up here is Hotplate chef Challahdad, known exclusively for his soft and tearable challah. He offers only loaves of Challah bread and switches up the size and shape every so often. He’s created such a strong brand in LA, that when customers crave challah, they think of Challahdad, illustrating the power of a signature product.

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Seasonal Twists

Once you’ve perfected your hero product, introduce seasonal variations to keep your offerings fresh and exciting. Infusing your menu with seasonal fruits or flavors not only sparks renewed interest from regulars, but also showcases your creativity and adaptability.

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Communicate Creatively and Consistently

SMS Reminders 

Don’t let your customers forget about you. Use Hotplate’s SMS feature to send out regular reminders beyond our automated order texts. Whether it’s a nudge about a new flavor or an invite to an in person event, staying in touch keeps you top of mind.
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Marketing Emails

We hear from a lot of chefs that are scared to over communicate or “bother” their customers with notifications. We get it, but remember that your average customer seens hundreds of messages a day, and if you don’t get your name in front of your customer often, you risk being forgotten. Craft engaging, beautiful newsletters that do more than sell; they should tell a story, share recipes, or highlight customers in your community. This value-added approach transforms your emails from spam to sought-after content.

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Cultivate Loyalty

Innovative Loyalty Programs

Reward your repeat customers with more than just great food. Implement a loyalty program like cute punch cards or special birthday discounts. It’s a tangible way to show appreciation and incentivize return visits.

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Feedback Loop

Part of keeping customers coming back is showing them that their opinions matter. Establish a feedback and improvement loop over email, social media, or texts. Use customer satisfaction surveys to learn what works, what doesn’t, and how you can continue to evolve.

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Our Hot Take

In the quest for customer retention, it’s not just about what you serve; it's also about how you engage with your customers and make them feel valued. From having a hero product like Challahdad to engaging your customers with regular communication and rewarding their loyalty, these strategies are your recipe for success. By focusing on personalized customer experiences, consistent communication channels, and exceptional service, you create not just repeat customers but passionate advocates for your brand.

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