If you’re running a restaurant, you already know this: serving great food is only half the battle. The real challenge? Getting people through the door, and keeping them coming back.
The reality is, there’s no shortage of options out there for hungry diners. From street food pop-ups to high-end bistros, the competition is fierce. But here’s the good news: there are ways to stand out, ways that don’t require you to slash prices or completely reinvent your menu.
In this post, we’ll walk through 10 footfall-boosting strategies that actually work, especially when you tap into the credibility that comes with restaurant awards, the spotlight of food industry recognition, and the prestige of the Curry Oscars.
Let’s dig in.
1. Get Your Name on the Awards Radar
Let’s not sugar-coat it, awards matter. When diners see that you’ve been nominated for a restaurant award, or even better, taken home a win, it immediately builds trust. People assume, “If they’ve won something, they must be doing something right.”
Whether it’s the British Curry Awards, the Asian Restaurant and Takeaway Awards, or a regional newcomer prize, these accolades tell potential customers you’re not just another curry house, you’re the curry house.
Don’t wait for the recognition to arrive magically. Apply. Nominate yourself. Ask loyal customers to put your name forward. You’d be surprised how many winners simply had the confidence to step up.
2. Make Your Restaurant the One People Talk About
Footfall isn’t just about deals and discounts, it’s about buzz. The kind that gets people to say, “Have you been to that place in town everyone’s raving about?”
Create something that people want to share. That might be a signature dish served in a quirky way, a seasonal tasting menu, or even a regional food night where you introduce less-familiar flavours.
When someone posts your dish on Instagram or tags you in a story, that’s free promotion, and the kind that actually works.
3. Ride the Wave During Award Season
Here’s something clever: don’t just celebrate your own awards, take advantage of the general buzz during award season. Food bloggers, local media and diners are already paying more attention.
Post stories like “What We’d Submit to the Curry Oscars” or “Our Award-Worthy Winter Menu.” It puts you in the conversation, even if you’re not on the ballot this year. And guess what? People love an underdog story.
4. Tell Your Story, Don’t Just Sell Your Food
You should share the story behind your food. Share how you’ve perfected your grandmother’s recipe or how your team has spent endless nights perfecting the spice balance.
Post behind-the-scenes clips, introduce your chefs, and talk about your journey toward award recognition. When diners feel they know you, they’re more likely to walk through your door than somewhere faceless down the road.
5. Tidy Up That Digital First Impression
Before anyone walks into your restaurant, they’ve probably Googled you. That means your website, your photos, and your Google Business page are all doing the talking before you get the chance to.
Make sure your website is up-to-date, loads fast, and actually reflects what people will experience. Mention your awards and nominations. Highlight popular dishes. Add reviews. Think of your site like your shopfront; if it looks tired or hard to navigate, people will keep scrolling.
6. Get Found Where People Are Searching
When someone types “best Indian takeaway near me” into Google, you want to be one of the first names they see. That’s where local SEO comes in.
Use location-specific terms throughout your site, menu pages, and blog content. Combine that with award references, e.g. “Award-winning Balti in East London”, and you’re covering both search intent and credibility in one go.
You can go a step further by running a local Google Ads campaign that targets searches related to food. It doesn’t cost the earth, and the return on investment can be real.
7. Create Limited-Time Dishes with an Award Twist
People love trying something new, especially if there’s a sense of exclusivity. You can launch a “Curry Oscars Inspired Menu” that features your boldest award-worthy dishes. Don’t forget to give it a name, along with a bit of backstory and a time limit.
Customers will act fast if they feel like they are missing out. That’s the kind of nudge that gets new faces walking in.
8. Let Your Regulars Help You Win
Did you know some food industry awards are based on public nominations? If your customers adore your food, why not give them a way to show it?
A simple sign on your tables with a QR code and a message like, “Love our food? Nominate us for this year’s Curry Oscars!” can go a long way. People want to support local gems, sometimes they just need a little prompt.
9. Team Up with Your Local Community
Sometimes the best way to bring people in is by looking outside your own space. Can you partner with a local gym for healthy lunch deals? A florist for date-night dinner bundles? An office nearby that orders in regularly?
When you collaborate, you tap into other audiences, and that can lead to fresh footfall you wouldn’t have reached on your own.
10. Train Staff to Be Your Secret Marketing Weapon
Your team are the face of your restaurant. They’re the ones answering questions like “What’s good here?”, and their answer can shape the whole experience.
Train your staff to talk proudly about your food, your ingredients, and yes, your awards too. A friendly mention like, “That one got us a Curry Oscar nomination last year,” adds that little extra weight that makes customers curious and more likely to come back.
Final Thoughts
If you want more people walking through your doors, it’s not about gimmicks; it’s about building reputation, trust, and experience. Whether it’s through food industry awards, clever storytelling, or just creating something people remember, you have the tools already. You just need to put them to work.
Diners today aren’t just hungry for food, they’re hungry for meaning. Make sure your restaurant gives them both.
FAQs: Getting More Footfall in Your Restaurant
- Can restaurant awards really bring in more customers?
Yes, but you need to promote them well. Awards are more like a badge or quality, and they help first time diners feel confident to try your place out. - I haven’t won any awards yet. Should I still mention them?
Absolutely. You can write about dishes that you think are award-worthy or share that you’re aiming for a nomination, it still builds credibility.
3. How do I ask customers to nominate me without sounding pushy?
You need to keep it light and appreciative. Try placing a small table sign or a thank you card that says “If you love our food, we’d love your nomination.”
