How To Get More Grubhub Orders: A Restaurateur’s Guide to Boosting Revenue

Want to maximize your restaurant’s visibility and profitability on Grubhub? It boils down to a smart blend of optimizing your online presence, enticing customers with irresistible offers, and consistently delivering a top-notch dining experience that keeps them coming back for more.

Understanding the Grubhub Algorithm & Optimizing Your Listing

Grubhub, like any online platform, operates using an algorithm. Understanding this algorithm is crucial for ranking higher in search results and attracting more eyeballs to your restaurant.

Know Your Target Audience

Before diving into the technical aspects, ask yourself: who are you trying to reach? Knowing your target demographic – students, busy professionals, families – allows you to tailor your menu, pricing, and promotional strategies to resonate with them.

Optimize Your Menu Listing

This is where the magic begins. Think of your menu as your storefront on Grubhub. It needs to be clear, concise, and appealing.

• Use High-Quality Photos: This is non-negotiable. Invest in professional-looking photos of your best dishes. People eat with their eyes first!
• Write Compelling Descriptions: Don’t just list ingredients. Tell a story. Highlight what makes each dish unique and delicious. Use descriptive language that evokes flavor and texture.
• Categorize Strategically: Make it easy for customers to find what they’re looking for. Use clear and logical categories. Consider adding subcategories for specific dietary needs (vegetarian, gluten-free, etc.).
• Price Strategically: Research your competitors’ pricing. Aim for competitive pricing while maintaining profitability. Consider offering value meals or combos to increase order value.
• Accurate Preparation Time: Be realistic about your preparation times. Setting expectations upfront prevents frustrated customers. Update preparation times during peak hours to avoid delays.

Leverage Grubhub’s Marketing Tools

Grubhub offers a range of marketing tools designed to boost your visibility. Take advantage of them!

• Grubhub Ads: Paid advertising can significantly increase your visibility in search results. Experiment with different ad formats and targeting options to see what works best for you.
• Promotions: Offer exclusive deals and discounts to Grubhub customers. This could include percentage-off discounts, free delivery, or BOGO deals. Monitor the performance of your promotions and adjust your strategy accordingly.
• Grubhub Perks: Offer loyalty rewards to encourage repeat orders. This can be a simple points-based system or a more elaborate program with tiered rewards.
• Leverage Boost: Grubhub offers Boost programs that increase your visibility in the app for a set time. Use these strategically during peak hours or slow days.

Maintain a High Star Rating

Your star rating is a critical factor in attracting new customers. Positive reviews build trust and encourage others to try your restaurant.

• Provide Excellent Customer Service: Train your staff to handle online orders with care and attention. Respond promptly to customer inquiries and resolve any issues quickly and efficiently.
• Ensure Order Accuracy: Double-check every order before it leaves your kitchen. Incorrect orders are a major cause of negative reviews.
• Package Orders Carefully: Use appropriate packaging to prevent food from spilling or getting cold during delivery.
• Encourage Reviews: Actively encourage satisfied customers to leave reviews on Grubhub. Consider adding a small note to each order reminding customers to rate their experience.
• Respond to Reviews: Acknowledge both positive and negative reviews. Thank customers for their positive feedback and address any concerns raised in negative reviews professionally and empathetically.

Enhance Your Operational Efficiency

Efficient operations translate to faster delivery times and happier customers.

• Streamline Your Order Processing: Implement a system for efficiently processing online orders. Integrate Grubhub orders directly into your POS system to minimize errors.
• Optimize Your Kitchen Workflow: Optimize your kitchen layout and workflow to minimize bottlenecks and ensure orders are prepared quickly and efficiently.
• Manage Your Inventory: Keep track of your inventory levels to avoid running out of popular items.
• Monitor Delivery Times: Track your delivery times and identify areas for improvement. Communicate any delays to customers promptly.

Monitor and Analyze Your Results

Continuously monitor your performance on Grubhub and analyze the data to identify trends and opportunities for improvement.

• Track Key Metrics: Track key metrics such as order volume, average order value, customer satisfaction, and promotional effectiveness.
• Analyze Customer Feedback: Pay close attention to customer reviews and identify any recurring themes or issues.
• Experiment and Iterate: Continuously experiment with different strategies and tactics to see what works best for your restaurant. Don’t be afraid to try new things and adjust your approach based on the results.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Here are some frequently asked questions to help you further optimize your Grubhub presence:

1. How important are photos on my Grubhub menu?

Extremely important. High-quality photos can increase order rates by 20-30%. They’re the visual representation of your food, so invest in professional-looking images.

2. Should I offer promotions all the time?

Not necessarily. While promotions can boost orders, constant discounts can devalue your brand. Use them strategically, perhaps during slower periods or to attract new customers. Monitor the impact of each promotion on your profitability.

3. How often should I update my menu?

Regularly. Keep your menu fresh and seasonal. Consider adding new items or rotating specials to keep customers engaged. Update pricing as needed to reflect changes in ingredient costs.

4. What’s the best way to respond to a negative review?

Professionally and empathetically. Acknowledge the customer’s concerns, apologize for the negative experience, and offer a solution, such as a discount on their next order. Don’t get defensive.

5. How can I improve my restaurant’s star rating on Grubhub?

By providing excellent food and service. Ensure order accuracy, package food carefully, and respond promptly to customer inquiries. Encourage satisfied customers to leave reviews.

6. What’s the best time to run promotions on Grubhub?

During slower periods or peak meal times. Analyze your order data to identify your slowest days and times and offer promotions to stimulate demand. Also, consider offering promotions during peak meal times to attract customers who are already actively searching for food.

7. How can I track the performance of my Grubhub Ads?

Grubhub provides detailed reporting on your ad performance. Track metrics such as impressions, clicks, and conversions to see which ads are most effective.

8. Is it worth it to pay for Grubhub Ads?

It depends on your goals and budget. If you’re looking to increase visibility and attract new customers, Grubhub Ads can be a worthwhile investment. However, it’s important to track your ad performance and adjust your strategy accordingly.

9. What should I do if a customer complains about a late delivery?

Apologize sincerely and offer a solution. Explain the reason for the delay (if possible) and offer a discount on their next order or a refund for the delivery fee.

10. How can I ensure my food stays hot during delivery?

Use insulated packaging. Invest in high-quality insulated bags and containers to keep your food hot and fresh during delivery. Package soups and sauces separately to prevent spills.

11. How can I get more repeat customers on Grubhub?

By providing a consistently positive experience. Offer excellent food, accurate orders, fast delivery, and friendly customer service. Encourage customers to join your loyalty program and offer exclusive deals to repeat customers.

12. Should I offer delivery myself, or just use Grubhub’s drivers?

Consider the pros and cons of each option. Using Grubhub’s drivers can be more convenient, but you’ll pay a higher commission. Offering your own delivery allows you to control the delivery experience and keep more of the revenue, but it requires managing your own fleet of drivers. Ultimately, the best option depends on your restaurant’s specific circumstances.