How to Get More Customers for Your Restaurant in Spokane

Understand Your Local Market and Differentiate

Spokane isn't a monolith. Your first move is to get hyper-local. The clientele in the walkable, trendy Kendall Yards is different from the family-focused diners in the Spokane Valley, or the students and young professionals near Gonzaga University and Browne's Addition. Who are you actually serving? Are you targeting date-night couples in Perry District, or providing a reliable lunch spot for the medical community near Sacred Heart?

Next, conduct a simple competitive audit. Drive through your immediate area and note every other restaurant. What are their price points, cuisines, and apparent weaknesses? Maybe the popular pub in your neighborhood has lackluster vegetarian options, or the upscale spot has no casual, affordable bar menu. That's your opening. Spokane diners are increasingly adventurous but value-driven. They support local fiercely but have more options than ever, from the explosion of food trucks to new fine dining in the downtown core. Your differentiation must be clear and communicated in every interaction.

Master Your Digital Front Door: Online Presence & Local SEO

Over 90% of diners search online before they choose a restaurant. If you're not found, you don't exist. This goes beyond just having a Facebook page.

• Claim and Optimize Your Google Business Profile: This is non-negotiable. Ensure your name, address, phone, and hours are perfect. Upload high-quality photos of your food, interior, and happy customers. Actively respond to every review, good or bad. This profile is your single most important tool for appearing in "restaurants near me" searches in the Garland District or South Hill.
• Build a Simple, Functional Website: It must load fast on mobile, display your menu clearly (with prices!), and have your address and hours prominent. Include a link for online ordering or reservations.
• Get Listed on Local Discovery Platforms: This is where being specific to Spokane pays off. Make sure your business is accurately listed on platforms locals use to find new spots. A great way to increase your visibility is to list your restaurant on Poyst, a platform designed to connect Spokane customers with local businesses like yours.

Execute Hyper-Local Marketing That Gets Butts in Seats

Forget broad, expensive ads. Target your neighborhood.

• Partner with Adjacent Businesses: Cross-promote with the boutique wine shop down the street, the brewery next door, or the local theater group. Offer a "show your receipt from X business for 10% off" deal. This builds community and taps into established customer bases.
• Host Targeted Events: Don't just do trivia night. Do "Northwest Wine & Small Plates Pairing" or a "Family Pasta Making Sunday" that appeals to your specific demographic. Partner with a local artist from the First Friday art walk to display their work.
• Leverage Local Media & Influencers: Build relationships with food writers at The Spokesman-Review or bloggers like Spokane Eats. Invite a handful of genuine local Instagrammers with engaged followers (not just high counts) for a complimentary tasting. Their authentic content is gold.
• Use Geotargeted Social Media Ads: Run Facebook or Instagram ads targeting users within a 3-mile radius of your restaurant. Promote your new weekend brunch menu to people in the Logan Neighborhood, or your happy hour special to professionals working downtown.

Create a Pricing Strategy That Works for Spokane

Spokane has a competitive median income. Diners seek value, not necessarily cheapness.

• The Power of the Perceived Deal: Instead of across-the-board discounts, create high-value offerings. A "Date Night for Two" package (app, two entrees, dessert for a set price) feels special. A discounted "Industry Night" late on Sundays/Mondays for service workers builds a loyal off-peak crowd.
• Strategic Menu Engineering: Identify your high-profit margin items (often pasta, salads, certain appetizers) and use menu design (boxes, descriptions, placement) to highlight them. Train your staff to recommend these items confidently.
• Dynamic Pricing for Slow Times: If Tuesday nights are dead, don't just accept it. Create a "Taco Tuesday" or "Burger & Brew Tuesday" special that's irresistible. Fill the seats, create buzz, and move inventory.

Turn First-Time Diners into Regulars: Client Retention Tactics

Acquiring a new customer costs 5x more than retaining one. Make them want to come back.

• Collect Emails Simply: Offer a "free dessert on your next visit" for signing up for your newsletter. Use this list to announce new menu items, special events, or offer a birthday discount.
• Implement a Simple Loyalty Program: A digital punch card (via a simple app or even a physical card) for "Buy 9 lunches, get the 10th free" works wonders for downtown office workers.
• Empower Your Staff to Create Moments: A free appetizer for a slight wait, or a complimentary dessert for a birthday noticed from a reservation note, creates stories people share. In Spokane's tight-knit communities, that word-of-mouth is everything.
• Ask for Feedback & Act On It: Have a manager visit tables. A simple, "How was everything tonight?" shows you care. If multiple people suggest a menu tweak, consider it.

Your Next Step: Get Found by Spokane Diners Ready to Eat

You've got the strategies. Now, you need the visibility. In today's market, being on the platforms where locals actively search for their next meal is critical. You need to be where potential customers are browsing for a cozy spot in the Perry District, a family-friendly place in the Valley, or a celebratory dinner downtown.

To ensure your restaurant is front-and-center for these hungry Spokanites, take five minutes today to claim your free listing on Poyst. It's a local discovery platform built to connect businesses like yours with the community. Showcase your menu, highlight your unique atmosphere, and collect genuine reviews from local diners. Don't let another customer searching for a great meal in Spokane pass you by. List your restaurant, update your profile, and start turning local searches into packed tables this week.