My mother opened up a 60's diner but we need help...

Question

ok so here how it is..my mum opened a shop a couple months back which is in the theme of a 60's diner. it gets really busy between about 1130 and 2. The only trouble is that not many people come in between when we first open at 8 till 1130. im just wondering if any of you guys know any way of drawing people in between that time. we dont have alot of money so we cant advertise on the radio or nothing like that. please help. even food ideas.

Answer 1

a good breakfast or breakfast rolls

maybe a coffee and bagel or snack bar at discount

Answer 2

You could always make posters and hang them on community bulletin boards or on telephone poles to advertise. Having an advertised deal on breakfast would be a good idea too.  

Answer 3

offer breakfast specials

Answer 4

Well 8:30 is a bit late for the breakfast crowd, so you're only getting the lunch crowd.

Open earlier for breakfast 6:00 or open just for the lunch crowd around 10:00.

But they usually don't do well, I'd say open earlier.

Answer 5

Offer "On the go breakfasts" like "Bagel Sandwiches", or Crescents. In the morning hours people are usually in a hurry and not in the mood for too much interaction.  

Answer 6

stop opening so early.. lunch 1130 till 200.. catch the school kids for spiders and after school snacks 300.. early dinner 530 till 730.. I'm thinking your trading hours need to suit your customers. As far as food goes.........what are you serving up?

Answer 7

Perhaps, put off opening the diner until 11am. If the customer traffic is not there, no reason to pay higher energy bills and wages.

If there was a cheap but profitable set breakfast you could serve, that may help. But in just two months, being very busy at all is a good sign.

Answer 8

welcome to the restaurant business. breakfast specials. offer free delivery to a small radius and go in to businesses and hand out menus.