As restaurants begin to reopen their dining rooms and terraces to customers after being forced to close them due to the Coronavirus pandemic, restaurateurs across Canada will certainly want to attract patrons in an effort to make up for lost business.

And when it comes to encouraging customers to dine at your establishment, the signage above the door plays a major part in piquing people’s curiosity. Here are some indispensable tips on how to attract patrons with restaurant signs.

Restaurant signs should immediately grab attention

Chances are your restaurant isn’t the only eatery on the block, especially if you are located in a large city. With this in mind, it is crucial that your restaurant signage stands out from the crowd and catches the attention of patrons as they walk or drive past your establishment.

There are many factors you will want to consider for eye-catching visual communication:

• The use of colours
• Unique and bold typography
• Capitalization of letters
• The use of images or logos
• Lighting and visibility at night

These factors will often vary according the style of cuisine you offer, your specific location and the time of day or night that your restaurant is open for business. For example, if your restaurant is part of the late-night food scene, you may want to invest in backlit channel letters that will be brilliantly visible after dark.

In short, your signage should be noticeable and striking enough to get new customers through the door.

Brand identity, messaging and awareness

Whether you need fresh signage for a new restaurant or you simply want to rebrand an old concept, brand awareness will play a key role in attracting new patrons and getting them to come back often.

Is your restaurant modern and avant-garde or vintage and timeless? Are you looking to attract younger crowds that want a quick bite or well-to-do foodies with an appetite for luxury? If you haven’t asked yourself similar questions, you may risk communicating the wrong message to your potential customers.

A well-defined brand identity is important for any restaurant and the signage you display should follow suit. The goal here is two-fold: you want your restaurant signs to harmonize with your identity and you want customers to vividly remember your brand.

Cleanliness is next to godliness

A poorly maintained front-of-house in the food service industry is a sure-fire way to make potential customers question the cleanliness of your establishment. The commercial signage or awnings above your restaurant entrance is the first clue for patrons as to how clean the inside will be.

As such, an outdated, broken or sullied sign is going to be off-putting to your guests. If your restaurant sign has seen better days, it may be time to contact a signage manufacturer to have a new one made.

Custom restaurant signage from access signs

In conclusion, signage is one of the most important marketing tools for any restaurant. If you want your food establishment to stand out from the pack, make sure your restaurant signage is attention-grabbing, on-brand and up to date.

If you are interested in a custom signage solution from a reputable company with over 30 years of experience, book your sign consultation with us today.