Easy Ways to Boost Restaurant Sales During Ramadhan Raya : F&B Tips

With more than 60% of the Malaysian population being Muslims, Ramadan then becomes a very special event that is celebrated by more than half of everybody in the nation. Almost everywhere in Malaysia, be it in shopping malls, on social media, or on billboard advertisements, the Raya celebration will be in the spotlight shortly after or right when the fasting month begins.

In order to keep your food service business up-to-date and not miss out on this opportunity to grow, let us help you to dive into 5 ways to make your business known this festive season, or contribute to your already blooming business.

1. Be smart about serving - understand Ramadan timing

As you advertise your food service business or Ramadan special menu, it is important to be mindful of your customers that are fasting during Ramadan. Hence, it will be a thoughtful gesture to adjust the timing of your advertisements during Ramadan. The Edge Malaysia reported that daily conversations on Twitter peaked at daybreak during sahur and rose again two hours before iftar (breaking fast), making these great timings to go full force on advertisements. If your food service business is offering meal kits or takeaways suitable for Sahur, consider posting your social media content during Iftar. Confident about your Iftar menu? Try advertising during Sahur or the day to gain more awareness and engagement.

2. Allow pre-booking & reservation

With a large number of customers sharing the same breakfast time during Ramadan, it is always a good idea to encourage them to reserve a space at your restaurant and place their order in advance. Not only that customers can feel more at ease knowing that they can have their meals on time, but your kitchen team also has more time flexibility to manage overall orders. On top of that, with this in place, it will ease up your inventory management and staff planning too. There are times when customers tend to forget their reservations or double book different restaurants, so it is totally acceptable to collect a small booking fee or deposits in advance for customers to secure their tables. These “fees” should be refundable, or be subtracted from their total dine-in bill. You can even offer other discounts, freebies, and vouchers to encourage more customers to book a meal ahead of time.

3. E-bazaar participation

E-bazaar participation is also another way to gain more awareness among diners and potential customers about your brand during Ramadan! It expands your capacity to serve more people beyond space restrictions, while allowing customers to dine in the comfort of their own homes. Having your food service business listed on this e-Bazaar platform is also a chance for new customers to stumble upon your brand! During the Movement Restriction Order, consumers are introduced to the e-Bazaar concept and have since been paying attention to offers available on famous e-Bazaar operators such as Grabfood or Eborl.net. This coming Ramadan, pay attention to the e-Bazaar available and register for a spot to not miss out on the opportunity. If you are unable to do so, be sure to familiarize yourself with food delivery service to gain a higher chance for better business!

4. Seasonal menu

Of course, Ramadan is also the time for you to explore offering a seasonal menu, giving your loyal or new customers something new to try. Preparing a seasonal menu is a chance for your kitchen team to show off their culinary skill too! For this special time of the year, your customers might also want to try something that suits the mood, paying respect to tradition. So if you are a restaurant serving Western or non-Malay cuisine, consider working on a fusion to up your game! It is also fine to offer non-traditional cuisine as Ramadan seasonal menu, your Muslim customers will not mind trying something different! Ajinomoto Food Biz Partner has recently shared our comprehensive Thai Street Food menu in conjunction with Ramadan. Head to this page to find out more. In case you forget, it is important to highlight your seasonal menu on social media with mouth-watering photographs so customers are aware of it!

5. Offer group, family, and large group dine-in deals or packs to take away

Ramadan is also an opportunity to spend time with family or friends, so take advantage of this by offering dine-in deals or promotions to incentivize large groups or family gatherings at your restaurant. The more customers, the bigger the deals, it’s a win-win situation for everyone.

It also helps to offer packs to take away so customers won’t fear over-ordering, it also helps you to save up and avoid leftovers! Do this sustainably by having environmentally friendly, biodegradable packaging. The earth will thank you for it, and your customers will appreciate your extra effort too!

Stay tuned for more Ramadan-related food service business tips and tricks on our website! Sign up as an Ajinomoto Food Biz Partner member to get exclusive discounts, offers, and insights too.