Upselling in restaurants can be an excellent way to boost profits, but nobody likes a pushy server, right? The trick is making it feel natural, as if you’re enhancing the dining experience.
Whether it’s suggesting mouth-watering extras or offering irresistible new dishes, there are plenty of ways to encourage guests to indulge a little more. These strategies increase sales and leave customers feeling pampered, not pressured. Want to know how to do it effortlessly?
Let’s look into some clever, tried-and-tested upselling techniques to keep your diners happy and your profits growing!
Suggest Extra
A simple way to encourage customers to spend more is to suggest affordable extras. For example, you could offer additional toppings for pizzas or pasta or sides like curly fries or garlic bread to share.
Sauces and dressings also make great add-ons. They may be small for the customer, but over time, they can noticeably increase your profits. As long as you’re not pushy, customers will welcome these suggestions.
Suggest Food & Beverage Pairings
Pairing beverages with food is an easy way to enhance your customers’ dining experience and boost drink sales.
You could create a wine-pairing menu for guests to explore, or have your staff suggest a perfect wine for their meal. Either way, it adds a touch of sophistication.
But don’t stop at wine. Upsell drinks by offering unique pairings, like beer with steak or cocktails with pasta. Simple, but effective.
Offer a Chef’s Choice Menu
Customers love a chef’s choice menu because it feels special—like their favourite chef has handpicked dishes just for them.
Personalising the menu will boost sales and highlight high-margin dishes made with premium ingredients. This is a win-win for both you and your diners.
Place High-Profit Items in The Top Right and The Middle
The Golden Triangle theory in menu design states that when people glance at a menu, their eyes naturally land in the middle first and then move to the top right.
To boost sales, simply place your most profitable dishes in these spots so they grab attention right away.
It’s an easy way to upsell, driving food and drink sales with minimal effort.
Upsell on Delivery and Takeaway
Boosting your profits through upselling can be as simple as tapping into online food ordering. Try some of the best online ordering platforms and pick one that automatically suggests add-ons like toppings or desserts when customers select their main dish.
This approach is less pushy than in-person upselling—no pressure from a server. And if you add tempting photos to your online menu, you could easily persuade customers to add an extra treat to their order without them even realising it.
Create Combo Deals
Food combos featuring high-margin items quickly boost profits while offering customers a great deal. Fixed-price bundles are a win-win, offering an entire meal—an appetiser, main course, dessert, and drink—for less than ordering each separately.
Display these bundles on-screen to make it simple for diners to pick their perfect combo. They’re also ideal for couples or friends sharing a meal, adding extra appeal to your menu and driving up average order value.
Don’t Forget About The Takeout
If a customer wants dessert but feels too full, remind them they can take it to go. If they’re craving it, they might just say yes.
This works for other parts of the meal, too. Suggest they upgrade or supersize their order, and if they can’t finish, you can always pack the leftovers for them.
Training your team to upsell can really boost your profits. Customers will likely appreciate the recommendations if they are respectful and professional.
Final Thoughts
When done carefully, restaurant upselling can significantly increase profits without alienating customers. The key is offering thoughtful suggestions that enhance the dining experience—whether it’s a tempting side dish, a perfectly paired drink, or a delicious dessert to go. Training your team to be intuitive and respectful will boost sales and make customers feel valued and catered to.
Remember, successful upselling is about providing choices that feel like upgrades, not pressure. With these strategies in place, your restaurant can strike the perfect balance between maximising revenue and ensuring a memorable dining experience for every guest.
