Publicity stunts can be a great way for your restaurant to generate a local buzz, and if you come up with something outstanding, you might even get national attention.

For smaller restaurants, a publicity stunt is usually going to be of a much lower budget than anything large chains can afford. This means you’ll have to think outside the box to capture public attention. Here’s a few ideas to get you started :

Unique Events.

If you come up with something unusual enough, it’s much more likely to get press attention. As an example, a live show by a local band probably won’t generate too much attention. Spice it up with something out of the ordinary and you’ll raise a few more eyebrows without breaking the bank.

An example of a tongue-in-cheek marketing stunt that needn’t cost the Earth :

Left-handed Americans flooded into Burger Kings across the nation only to be told they’d been had, but by that point they were already in the restaurant (and probably hungry).

An April Fool’s joke can be a great way to drive customers through your doors, as well as helping your image. That is, as long as you’re not offending anyone.

Special occasion stunts.

Think Halloween, Easter, St. George’s Day – days that don’t automatically increase restaurant or pub trading. Consider serving special Halloween items, like eyeball soup, or go all-out with an Easter Chocolate menu. How about a Back to School special offer targeted at families?

Be creative, and you will at least entertain your customers and attract some attention, even if you don’t make it into the media. Don’t forget that word of mouth is a vastly important tool. If you can get people talking about your restaurant, pub or takeaway, then you’re on to a winner.