More walk-in customers: Tips for more spontaneous guests in the restaurant industry

With the summer months, not only do temperatures rise, but so does the number of people strolling through city centers or discovering new places as tourists. Restaurants, ice cream parlors, and cafés now have the perfect opportunity to attract more foot traffic and increase sales. But how do you convince spontaneous guests to stop by? Creative outdoor advertising, targeted offers, and inviting design make all the difference. Here are industry-specific ideas for profitably using the summer months!

Restaurants: Increase visibility for tourists

Restaurants can benefit from tourists and day-trippers who spontaneously look for a nice place to eat. A good online presence is essential to attracting spontaneous guests. But there are other methods for increasing foot traffic:

• Multilingual menu at the entrance – tourists immediately feel addressed
• Attractive outdoor seating with sun loungers and decorative plants
• Tastings or aperitif offers, e.g. “Try our homemade bruschetta for free!”
• Happy Hour for early evening guests: Cheaper cocktails or small extras to the menu
  

Cafés: Cozy atmosphere for strollers

Especially couples or families strolling together will need a short break sooner or later. Often, decisions about where to stop for refreshments are made spontaneously. Tips for attracting more customers to your café:

• To-go special offers such as coffee + croissant for an attractive price (environmentally friendly coffee cups are available here )
• Chic presentation : Beautifully decorated cakes or colorful iced coffees attract curious guests
• Street music or collaborations with artists create a pleasant atmosphere
• Display cold drinks in the shop window – perfect for hot summer days

💡 Extra tip: A water dispenser for passersby with your logo strengthens your image and attracts guests.

Snack bars and street food – fast, tasty, eye-catching

Food trucks and snack bars always benefit from walk-in customers looking for a quick snack on the go. Here's how to attract more customers:

• Live cooking and show elements ensure curious glances
• Mobile ordering options , e.g. via QR code, make it easy for customers
• Samples and small giveaways, e.g. a mini portion of fries, are good advertising
• Special group offers appeal to families and groups of friends, e.g. a “Family Deal” for four people
  

Ice cream parlors: creative flavors and eye-catching promotions

Demand for ice cream increases, especially in summer. But how can your ice cream parlor become a hotspot in the city? In addition to this article on increasing profits with your ice cream parlor, we've compiled a few other ideas here:

• Promote exotic or seasonal ice cream flavors as eye-catchers (e.g. “Summer Special: Mango-Lime”)
• XXL ice cream sundaes and Instagram-worthy creations such as colorful waffles
• Offer small free samples to convince passers-by – this works ideally when there is not much going on at your place
• Special promotions , such as “2 for 1” deals at certain times

💡 Extra tip: Large, well-designed signs with current flavors immediately make you want ice cream.

The best measures for more walk-in customers

With the right strategy, any restaurant can attract more walk-in customers—especially during the summer months. The best measures at a glance:

• Inviting design and clear outdoor advertising
• Small samples or special offers for passers-by
• Multilingual menus and online presence for tourists
• Attractive presentation and creative product ideas

Use the summer of 2025 to attract more walk-in customers to your business – and make your restaurant the favorite place for spontaneous connoisseurs!