3 Promotion Strategies to Boost Basket Size During Inflation

Even though inflation isn't the main focus, restaurant costs continue to increase. Food prices are up, labor isn't getting any cheaper, and new tariffs could add even more strain.

Finding ways to stay profitable without raising prices too much is getting more challenging, so what can you do? Focus on increasing your basket size.

In this post, we'll share some practical and proven promotion strategies to help you get more from each order, even during tough times.

The Challenge of Growing Sales During Inflation

We may not be feeling inflationary pressure now, but it's likely only a matter of time. On top of that, new tariffs are creating more economic uncertainty, which could push costs even higher. According to the National Restaurant Association, in just the last six years, food prices have jumped 29%, and labor costs are up by 31% in the U.S. ().

Given that most restaurants operate with 3-5% profit margins, these increases hit hard. Raising menu prices is sometimes the only way to keep the doors open. Data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics shows that menu prices in the U.S. increased by 27% between 2020 and 2024 to cover the rising costs.

Moreover, your customers are also changing how they spend. They are more cautious about spending, and many dine out less frequently.

81% of diners say discounts and promotions influence where they eat.  Many customers no longer order extras like drinks, appetizers, or desserts, choosing the less expensive menu items instead. In other words, people still want to enjoy dining out but are more selective about what they order.

In addition, the potential 25% tariff on imports from countries like Mexico and Canada is just one example of the external pressures restaurateurs face. It could raise food prices even further, and as the National Restaurant Association states, this could cost restaurants up to $12 billion.

So, what's the best way to face this context? Focus on increasing your Average Order Value (AOV) and basket size. If fewer people are coming in or spending less, your goal should be to get the most out of each customer that walks through your door.

Effective Promotions to Boost Sales and Increase Orders

Simple ways to increase your sales without making your customers uncomfortable or pressured. With the right promotions, you can encourage them to spend more and increase your order sizes without losing their trust.

At Deliverect, we've gathered three strategies that are easy to implement and can help you get more out of each order:

#1: Bundling and upselling for higher-order value

Everyone loves a good deal. And bundling popular items at a slight discount is a great way to give your customers that feeling while increasing your sales.

For example, consider offering a family meal deal or a "lunch combo" with a drink, side, and entrée for one price. This is a simple way to add more value for your customers and boost your order total without making anyone feel like they're being charged full price for every item.

The trick is to pair items your customers order all the time, so by grouping their favorites, they'll feel like they're getting something extra.

Upselling doesn't have to be complicated. You can quickly train your staff to suggest the right add-ons. When done naturally, it feels less like a sales pitch and more like a helpful suggestion.

Digital menus also play an important role. If you use tablets or online ordering, offer add-ons while your customers are already making their choices.

Another approach is to run limited-time offers (LTOs) like holiday specials or a limited-edition combo since they offer something exclusive and can encourage your customers to order it before it's gone.

Plus, innovative technology can help you offer helpful add-ons while customers order. For example, Deliverect connects kiosks and delivery apps to suggest extras based on what customers have ordered before or are now selecting. These suggestions don't feel forced because they're based on what makes sense for the customer, making them more likely to add that extra item.

#2: Data-driven discounts that protect margins

Using your restaurant's data can help you offer discounts that feel personal while protecting your profit margins.

Use customer purchase trends to create targeted deals that drive sales without cutting too deeply into profits. Pulse by Deliverect gives you real-time insights into what's selling and when so you can fine-tune promotions that bring in more revenue while keeping your margins strong.

If a customer loves their premium coffee, surprise them with a small discount on their next one. Starbucks does this well by tailoring discounts based on 'customers' favorite orders. You can do the same in your restaurant, making promotions feel more personal and ensuring customers return to your establishment.

Incentivize larger orders with threshold discounts. For instance, a "Spend $30, get 10% off" deal persuades customers to add one more item to their order.

Besides increasing your overall order value, it also protects your margins by ensuring the discount applies only when customers spend more. This works well for dine-in and delivery orders alike. Uber Eats and DoorDash offer "Free delivery on orders over" to encourage customers to add an extra side or drink.

Instead of running the same promotions constantly, you should adjust them based on what's happening in your restaurant.

What you can do:

• Offer short-term discounts during slow hours to fill seats without affecting peak-time profits.

• Keep pricing fixed to offer bundle deals rather than straight discounts on busy nights.

• Feature a special on that dish to sell faster when you have too much inventory of a particular ingredient.
  

#3: Loyalty programs and subscription models for repeat business

Bringing in new customers is great, but keeping them loyal is what truly grows your revenue. The right loyalty programs, memberships, and digital incentives ensure diners choose your restaurant more often and spend more when they do.

Based on our experience, this is what works best:

Points-based loyalty

People want to know their loyalty matters. A simple rewards system shows appreciation and gives them a reason to return.

• Keep it simple: Give 1 point for every $1 spent and set clear rewards, such as "Earn 100 points, get a free entrée." Customers are more likely to stay engaged and keep ordering when it's user-friendly.

• Encourage bigger orders: When customers are close to earning a reward, they might add that extra item to speed up the process.

• Make it fun: Let customers track their progress toward rewards on their receipt or in your app. When they hit a milestone, send a message that makes it feel like a win: "Nice! You've got a free appetizer waiting." A little excitement goes a long way.

Subscriptions & VIP memberships

Beyond one-time rewards, subscriptions and memberships offer ongoing perks that turn casual customers into frequent visitors. The idea is simple: when people pay upfront for benefits, they'll return more often to get their money's worth.

• Offer valuable perks: Free delivery, exclusive menu items, unlimited drinks, or priority seating make customers feel special while driving repeat visits.

• Keep it smart: Offer valuable perks to your customers but won't break the bank for your business. For example, Panera's coffee subscription offers unlimited coffee for a monthly fee.

• Encourage loyalty: Customers are less likely to go elsewhere after committing to a membership. If they know they can get perks at your restaurant, they'll choose you instead of competitors.

App-exclusive deals

App-only promotions work great when boosting order value and keeping customers engaged. When customers order straight from you, you keep more profits instead of paying third-party fees.

• Get customers to order more: A deal like "$5 off when you spend $30" can be the little push they need to add one more item.

• Suggest smart upsells: If a customer adds a burger to their order, suggest a premium side or dessert at checkout. This will make their meal even better and keep the experience top-notch. McDonald's and Chipotle do this because it increases their ticket size without being too insistent.

• To keep customers hooked, Send out occasional push notifications with special offers to nudge them when deciding where to eat.

Third-party loyalty features

Not every customer orders directly through your app, but that doesn't mean you can't build loyalty on third-party platforms. Popular platforms have their own reward programs, which you can use to your advantage.

• Use delivery subscriptions: Services like Uber Eats, DoorDash, and offer perks like free delivery for members, so by joining, you're giving customers a great reason to order from you.

• Offer rewards through ordering apps: Some platforms let you set up deals like "Get $10 off after 5 orders." This is an easy way to keep customers coming back.

• Run special deals: A "20% off your first order!" is a great way to attract new customers. After they order, include a flyer or a small discount to remind them to order directly from you next time.

Bottom line

Raising prices isn't the only way to stay profitable during inflation. When using the right strategies and digital tools, you can increase basket size without making diners feel like they're being pushed to spend more.

Bundling popular items, suggesting well-timed add-ons, and offering smart discounts help diners see the value in ordering more while keeping your margins intact. Loyalty programs and subscriptions give your customers a reason to keep coming back, and when digital tools are part of the mix, you can drive steady revenue growth with less effort.

Digital tools make this more effective. AI-powered upsells and automated promotions help increase revenue without adding extra work for your team, while data-driven pricing adjustments ensure that your promotions work in your favor.

You don't have to rely on constant discounts or raise prices consistently. A smarter, data-driven approach lets you grow sales in a way that feels natural to customers and is sustainable for your business.

Yet, managing all of this can be complicated. That's where Deliverect makes a difference. With AI-driven upsells, automated pricing adjustments, and seamless order management, Deliverect helps restaurants increase sales without increasing workload.

If you're ready to make more brilliant promotions work for you, request a demo today and start maximizing every order.