{"id":709,"date":"2022-07-12T11:04:57","date_gmt":"2022-07-12T11:04:57","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/blogadmin.merch.vpsvc.com\/hub\/?p=709"},"modified":"2022-07-12T11:12:13","modified_gmt":"2022-07-12T11:12:13","slug":"how-to-create-custom-restaurant-merch","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blogadmin.vpsvc.com\/hub\/how-to-create-custom-restaurant-merch\/","title":{"rendered":"How to create custom restaurant merch"},"content":{"rendered":"\n\n\n\n\n

The food’s good and the drinks are flowing. You’ve invested in beautiful signage, menus and flyers \u2013 you may even already have a strong online presence. That might seem like enough, but have you considered creating merchandise for your business? <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Whether you run a family restaurant, coffee shop, pancake house or bar, merch is a smart way to market your business. In this article, we\u2019ll be diving into why merch is great for your businesses and <\/em>your customers \u2013 we\u2019ve also got tips for creating the best restaurant merch and marketing it to your audience.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What is merch?<\/strong> <\/h2>\n\n\n\n

It\u2019s short for merchandise. In a nutshell, merch is a cohesive collection of promotional items that your customers can carry, wear and share. They can range from T-shirts to totes, drinkware to custom candy. And since you want people to associate it with your brand, merch should be easily recognizable, including your logo, business name or slogan. It should also look consistent with other elements of your branding \u2013 like the colors or fonts you use on your menus and signage. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Why is restaurant merch important?<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Bottle openers, aprons, glassware…these are all practical items you’ll find in a restaurant or caf\u00e9. And with your branding printed onto them, they’re even more useful. Offering merch to customers alongside the food and drinks they came for is a great upselling opportunity. It brings you extra revenue and it can enhance people’s experience at your restaurant \u2013 and their perception of your brand. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

There are even more benefits after your customers leave your restaurant. By wearing or using your merch in their daily lives, your customers will become ambassadors for your brand. Think of the next time they\u2019ll use that bottle opener at a big party filled with potential customers \u2013 or bring that branded apron to a family BBQ. It\u2019s a great conversation starter, so they’re likely to spread the good word to their family and friends. That’s free advertising \u2013 and it can do wonders in increasing awareness of your business within the community.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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What\u2019s the appeal for your customers?<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

When you create a memorable dining experience for your guests, they’ll want to hold on to that memory. Owning merch from a favorite restaurant serves as a reminder of the great time they had with their family or friends. It’s something that lasts beyond the food itself. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Merch also gives your customers an opportunity to showcase their interests and unique style. Some people may be fans of your visual identity (for example, if you’re known for eye-catching branding or a wacky slogan). Other people may be foodies who just want to represent their favorite restaurant. Either way, merch helps people feel an affinity for your brand.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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How to create merchandise for your business<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Now that you know what merch is and the role it plays in the food industry, it\u2019s time to learn how you can create the best merch for your restaurant. We\u2019ve broken it down into five steps. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Step 1: Make sure there’s a demand for your merch<\/strong>

Know your target audience and what kind of merch they might like to buy. Don\u2019t just start selling items you think <\/em>your customers might like \u2013 ask them! <\/p>\n\n\n\n