FOODBALL: 10 tips to fill your restaurant during the World Cup in France

98, 2018... The Football World Cup is a golden opportunity for restaurateurs. For a month, the event will thrill fans in the stadiums, but also at the table. Who said soccer fans weren't foodies? We're here to prove that the World Cup can be a real opportunity for you, restaurateurs!

With public broadcasts of matches forbidden, soccer fans will certainly be taking refuge in restaurants or bars to enjoy the games. To optimize your chances of riding the soccer wave and prepare yourself for this sporting month, Malou has put together 10 Foo(d)goals to maximize your chances of hooking up with the fans!

1) D-3: Effective warm-up requires good communication beforehand

It's time to start communicating what you'll be offering on the big day. A World Cup is an event that takes preparation! As restaurateurs, it's essential that you do everything you can before the start on Thursday! To do so, don't hesitate to use social media to keep them up to date on the formulas on offer and the matches being broadcast. Use the right hashtags for maximum visibility. Like the World Cup #worldcup2018 or those more specifically used by foodies (#foodstagram #foodies...) Finally, plan and organize so as not to catch fans off guard! Good communication is planned in advance. If you haven't yet thought about your overall strategy on social media, use this event as an opportunity to do so. You can follow our tips here to optimize your Instagram account, and here to optimize your Facebook account. So don't hesitate to prepare your posts now for this whole month of sport!

2) Communicate during the World Cup and lead the game by leveraging interactive channels such as stories

Continue to feed your social media with content specifically targeted at what you're organizing during the World Cup. Give priority tointeractive channels such as Instagram or Facebook stories, which can increase your visibility in real time and transcribe the excitement of fans live for 24 hours! This tool is essential for maintaining a dynamic and close link with your customers! More than 250 million people so it would be a shame to neglect it! Interact on the networks by posting scores and asking your followers targeted questions about the matches and their outcomes! In a forthcoming article, Malou will take a closer look at the power of Instagram and Facebook stories, a golden tool for increasing brand awareness and staying in lasting contact with your followers.

3) Dribble to stand out: be original and thematize your catering offer

Many bars and restaurants will be sold out during the World Cup, so don't sit on the sidelines! Why don't you be one of the sold-out? Use your special features to score goals against the opposition! If you've got a terrace, make the most of it - it'll be much appreciated this summer when you're watching a match in the open air! Be inventive and surprise fans with themed evenings, for example! Depending on the matches being played, for example, why not consider an offer specifically focused on the two nations facing off on the pitch? Embellish your menu with a few specialties to eat and drink, in honor of the countries concerned. But don't think too big, keep it simple but thoughtful. Another idea that could feed your imagination: think of the host country, and the little Russian-inspired touches could make all the difference!

4) Avoid the yellow card: develop a catering offer tailored to your surface area

Cheering on a team is a sport in itself! So think about your strategy! Offer your champions a catering option adapted to the size of your restaurant. If you have a large number of seated guests, develop a corresponding offer, such as a tapas option to share, for example. Cheese and charcuterie boards are very popular, especially in summer, and can be served at any time of the day - a great advantage when catering for 5 p.m. match fans.

On the other hand, if your space is limited, opt for an easy-to-eat-on-the-go offering! From homemade French fries to pizza slices and mozzarella sticks, the choice is yours! You'll be able to make the most of your space by welcoming as many people as possible, who will be delighted to share the event with many other supporters. To keep your sports fans rehydrated, don't forget to include a drink with your meal.

5) The watchwords: team spirit and sharing to create real cohesion

A World Cup is an event to be enjoyed by many. As you'll have gathered, we advise you to opt for convivial offers that emphasize sharing, such as an all-you-can-eat buffet! Whatever formula you opt for, keep team spirit at the forefront. Have you considered finger food to ensure maximum interaction between supporters? Everyone will be able to eat while cheering on their team. And don't forget to arrange your space in such a way as to enhance interaction between supporters! Why not consider user-friendly promotional formulas to boost your sales and therefore your margins? For one ticket purchased, for example, the second could be half-price...

6) Get a head start at half-time and keep the excitement high

It's at this precise moment in the match that the fans' attention wanes. You then have fifteen minutes, watch in hand, to offer them something to eat and drink! But apart from that, it's important not to break the atmosphere that prevails during the match! Keep the fans in the sporting mood, so they won't be tempted to move to another venue in the meantime!

7) Go the extra mile and nurture your customer relationships after the game

The World Cup is an event that spans several weeks. That's why it's essential to keep your fans loyal if you hope to see them again! How can you do this? By organizing competitions and quizzes to keep them on their toes! You could also consider setting up a prediction system: sports betting is all the rage and quite simple to organize. Think about it!

8) Congratulate and reward your players: an essential part of building customer loyalty

Don't hesitate to offer a reward to the winners of your competitions! For example, you could offer a free dinner at a forthcoming match, or a discount on the next bill. In addition to pampering your clientele, you' ll build loyalty by offering them gestures that aren't commonplace everywhere!

9) How about a home match? Deliver to your customers

Developing a home delivery option is a great way to treat those who are entertaining friends or don't have the courage to drive all over Paris. Communicate about this home-delivery offer and organize yourself to be able to deliver your champions on time. It's a not inconsiderable source of extra income for you! Adapt accordingly to offer an exceptional delivery option, and make arrangements in advance, because the phone is likely to ring...

10) Last but not least, don't forget those who boycott soccer.

Finally, not all French people will be glued to their TV screens during the World Cup. According to a YouGov poll conducted for the Huffpost, 64% of French people intend to follow the event. While this percentage is very high, it does not hide the 36% of French people who will boycott the World Cup, but will continue to visit bars and restaurants! Are you one of these people and don't want to show any matches in your establishment? Well, you can still enjoy the competition, but stay away! Dare to buck the sporting trend of the coming month, and stand out from the crowd by capitalizing on your non-participation in this World Cup! Communicate your position and maintain a close relationship with those who share your opinion.

And here's our final tip: bear in mind that this will be a particularly intense period for you, and that your customer base may double on certain days. So don't hesitate to anticipate these days and call in extra help. There are a number of emergency recruitment solutions, such as Mistertemp, which specializes in the catering sector.

By following these tips, not only will you stand out from other bars and restaurants during this event, but you'll also maintain a special, privileged bond with your customers. Follow these Foodgoals to get yourself on the podium and give your fans a colorful World Cup experience.

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