{"id":520,"date":"2025-07-15T11:09:41","date_gmt":"2025-07-15T11:09:41","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.artauk.com\/blog\/?p=520"},"modified":"2025-07-15T11:09:41","modified_gmt":"2025-07-15T11:09:41","slug":"increase-restaurant-footfall-awards-curry-oscars","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.artauk.com\/blog\/increase-restaurant-footfall-awards-curry-oscars\/","title":{"rendered":"10 Proven Strategies to Increase Footfall in Your Restaurant"},"content":{"rendered":"

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.<\/span><\/p>\n

The reality is, there\u2019s no shortage of options out there for hungry diners. From street food pop-ups to high-end bistros, the competition is fierce. But here\u2019s the good news: there <\/span>are<\/span><\/i> ways to stand out, ways that don\u2019t require you to slash prices or completely reinvent your menu.<\/span><\/p>\n

In this post, we\u2019ll 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.<\/span><\/p>\n

Let\u2019s dig in.<\/span><\/p>\n

1. Get Your Name on the Awards Radar<\/b><\/h3>\n

Let\u2019s not sugar-coat it, awards matter. When diners see that you\u2019ve been nominated for a restaurant award, or even better, taken home a win, it immediately builds trust. People assume, \u201cIf they\u2019ve won something, they must be doing something right.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Whether it\u2019s the British Curry Awards, the <\/span>Asian Restaurant and Takeaway Awards<\/span><\/a>, or a regional newcomer prize, these accolades tell potential customers you\u2019re not just another curry house, you\u2019re <\/span>the<\/span><\/i> curry house.<\/span><\/p>\n

Don\u2019t wait for the recognition to arrive magically. Apply. Nominate yourself. Ask loyal customers to put your name forward. You\u2019d be surprised how many winners simply had the confidence to step up.<\/span><\/p>\n

2. Make Your Restaurant the One People Talk About<\/b><\/h3>\n

Footfall isn\u2019t just about deals and discounts, it\u2019s about buzz. The kind that gets people to say, \u201cHave you been to that place in town everyone\u2019s raving about?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Create something that people <\/span>want<\/span><\/i> 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.<\/span><\/p>\n

When someone posts your dish on Instagram or tags you in a story, that\u2019s free promotion, and the kind that actually works.<\/span><\/p>\n

3. Ride the Wave During Award Season<\/b><\/h3>\n

Here\u2019s something clever: don\u2019t 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.<\/span><\/p>\n

Post stories like \u201cWhat We\u2019d Submit to the Curry Oscars\u201d or \u201cOur Award-Worthy Winter Menu.\u201d It puts you in the conversation, even if you\u2019re not on the ballot <\/span>this year<\/span><\/i>. And guess what? People love an underdog story.<\/span><\/p>\n

4. Tell Your Story, Don\u2019t Just Sell Your Food<\/b><\/h3>\n

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.<\/span><\/p>\n

Post behind-the-scenes clips, introduce your chefs, and talk about your journey toward award recognition. When diners feel they <\/span>know<\/span><\/i> you, they\u2019re more likely to walk through your door than somewhere faceless down the road.<\/span><\/p>\n

5. Tidy Up That Digital First Impression<\/b><\/h3>\n

Before anyone walks into your restaurant, they\u2019ve probably Googled you. That means your website, your photos, and your Google Business page are all doing the talking <\/span>before<\/span><\/i> you get the chance to.<\/span><\/p>\n

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.<\/span><\/p>\n

6. Get Found Where People Are Searching<\/b><\/h3>\n

When someone types \u201cbest Indian takeaway near me\u201d into Google, you want to be one of the first names they see. That\u2019s where local SEO comes in.<\/span><\/p>\n

Use location-specific terms throughout your site, menu pages, and blog content. Combine that with award references, e.g. \u201cAward-winning Balti in East London\u201d, and you\u2019re covering both search intent and credibility in one go.<\/span><\/p>\n

You can go a step further by running a local Google Ads campaign that targets searches related to food. It doesn\u2019t cost the earth, and the return on investment can be real.<\/span><\/p>\n

7. Create Limited-Time Dishes with an Award Twist<\/b><\/h3>\n

People love trying something new, especially if there\u2019s a sense of exclusivity. You can launch a \u201cCurry Oscars Inspired Menu\u201d 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.<\/span><\/p>\n

Customers will act fast if they feel like they are missing out. That\u2019s the kind of nudge that gets new faces walking in.<\/span><\/p>\n

8. Let Your Regulars Help You Win<\/b><\/h3>\n

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?<\/span><\/p>\n

A simple sign on your tables with a QR code and a message like, <\/span>\u201cLove our food? Nominate us for this year\u2019s Curry Oscars!\u201d<\/span><\/i> can go a long way. People <\/span>want<\/span><\/i> to support local gems, sometimes they just need a little prompt.<\/span><\/p>\n

9. Team Up with Your Local Community<\/b><\/h3>\n

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?<\/span><\/p>\n

When you collaborate, you tap into other audiences, and that can lead to fresh footfall you wouldn\u2019t have reached on your own.<\/span><\/p>\n

10. Train Staff to Be Your Secret Marketing Weapon<\/b><\/h3>\n

Your team are the face of your restaurant. They\u2019re the ones answering questions like \u201cWhat\u2019s good here?\u201d, and their answer can shape the whole experience.<\/span><\/p>\n

Train your staff to talk proudly about your food, your ingredients, and yes, your awards too. A friendly mention like, <\/span>\u201cThat one got us a Curry Oscar nomination last year,\u201d<\/span><\/i> adds that little extra weight that makes customers curious and more likely to come back.<\/span><\/p>\n

Final Thoughts<\/b><\/h3>\n

If you want more people walking through your doors, it\u2019s not about gimmicks; it\u2019s about building reputation, trust, and experience. Whether it\u2019s 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.<\/span><\/p>\n

Diners today aren\u2019t just hungry for food, they\u2019re hungry for meaning. Make sure your restaurant gives them both.<\/span><\/p>\n

FAQs: Getting More Footfall in Your Restaurant<\/b><\/h2>\n
    \n
  1. Can restaurant awards really bring in more customers?<\/b>
    \n<\/b> 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.<\/span><\/li>\n
  2. I haven\u2019t won any awards yet. Should I still mention them?<\/b>
    \n<\/b> Absolutely. You can write about dishes that you think are award-worthy or share that you\u2019re aiming for a nomination, it still builds credibility.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

    3. How do I ask customers to nominate me without sounding pushy?<\/b>
    \n<\/b> You need to keep it light and appreciative. Try placing a small table sign or a thank you card that says \u201cIf you love our food, we\u2019d love your nomination.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

    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\u2019s no shortage of options out there for hungry diners. From street food pop-ups to high-end bistros, the competition is fierce. But … Continue reading 10 Proven Strategies to Increase Footfall in Your Restaurant<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":521,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[6],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-520","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-restaurant-awards"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.artauk.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/520","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.artauk.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.artauk.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.artauk.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.artauk.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=520"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/www.artauk.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/520\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":522,"href":"https:\/\/www.artauk.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/520\/revisions\/522"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.artauk.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/521"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.artauk.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=520"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.artauk.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=520"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.artauk.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=520"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}