Transforming Digital Operations for a Restaurant: A Case Study
At JKS Digital, we understand that the restaurant industry, while incredibly rewarding, faces unique challenges, particularly in navigating the complexities of digital operations. From managing online orders to maintaining a robust social media presence, many restaurants rely on multiple third-party platforms to run their digital operations. This often leads to inefficiencies, increased costs, and a lack of control over crucial assets. This case study explores how JKS Digital stepped in to streamline a restaurant's digital operations, reduce costs, increase engagement, boost revenue, and ultimately put the owners back in control of their own digital assets.
Background
A family-owned restaurant approached us with a common issue: they were struggling with rising costs, ineffective digital marketing, and a fragmented strategy. They had multiple third-party apps for their online orders, marketing automation, and delivery services, which resulted in unnecessary complexity and high fees. Despite having a loyal customer base, their online engagement was stagnating, and they had little insight into the performance of their digital channels.
The restaurant’s owners knew they needed to make changes but weren’t sure where to start. That’s where JKS Digital came in.
The Challenge
The primary pain points we identified included:
Fragmented Digital Strategy: The restaurant used multiple third-party services for ordering, social media management, email campaigns, and more. This created inefficiencies, made it difficult to track performance, and led to unnecessary costs.
High Overhead Costs: Relying on third-party services meant paying significant fees for transactions, promotions, and additional features that were not directly driving business growth.
Limited Customer Engagement: Their social media accounts had low engagement, and their email marketing lacked personalization, resulting in fewer return customers.
Lack of Control Over Digital Properties: The restaurant had no access to its own customer data or control over its digital infrastructure, which hindered its ability to optimize digital marketing efforts.
Our Approach
We began by conducting a full audit of the restaurant’s digital operations to identify inefficiencies and determine which systems and platforms were essential for success. After reviewing our findings with the client, our goal was clear: reduce unnecessary costs, consolidate platforms, and provide the restaurant with full control over its digital assets.
Streamlining Digital Platforms
The first step was consolidating the restaurant’s digital operations. We worked closely with the restaurant owners to identify which third-party services were unnecessary or redundant. For example, we integrated online ordering directly into their website, eliminating the need for a third-party app that was charging them a 15% fee per transaction.
We also streamlined their social media management by using a single platform to schedule posts, track engagement, and analyze performance. This eliminated the need for multiple tools and created a more efficient workflow.
Cost Reduction and Efficiency Improvements
Once we had consolidated platforms, we focused on reducing overhead costs. By cutting out unnecessary third-party services and negotiating better terms with the platforms that remained, we were able to save the restaurant significant money. For instance, eliminating unnecessary subscription fees for software that wasn’t directly contributing to the business' growth reduced digital expenses by 30%.
We also implemented automation where possible, such as setting up email campaigns triggered by customer behavior, which freed up time for the staff and allowed the restaurant to scale its marketing efforts without additional labor.
Increasing Engagement
One of the key goals of this project was to increase customer engagement, both online and offline. We implemented a giveaway program that was integrated with their business strategy. The program was promoted through email and social media, creating a buzz among their loyal customers and encouraging them to return more often.
We also overhauled their social media strategy, focusing on high-quality content, including behind-the-scenes videos, food preparation highlights, and customer testimonials. This approach encouraged more interaction and shares, leading to organic growth in their follower base and increased brand awareness.
Boosting Revenue
With the streamlined platforms and improved engagement strategies in place, the next step was optimizing the restaurant’s digital properties to drive revenue. We implemented a detailed strategy for increasing traffic and ensuring that the customer experience matched the owners' vision.
Results
The restaurant’s digital operations are now significantly more efficient, and the owners have full control over their digital assets. Here are some of the key outcomes from our work:
Cost Savings: By eliminating redundant platforms and negotiating better rates, we reduced the restaurant’s digital overhead by 30%.
Increased Engagement: Social media engagement increased by 40%, and email open rates grew by 22%. Customers were more active, and the restaurant’s brand was seen as more relatable and authentic.
Revenue Growth: Within three months, online orders increased, and repeat business led to a 15% increase in overall sales.
Owner Control: The owners now have full access to their customer data, digital properties, and marketing tools, giving them the ability to make data-driven decisions and adjust strategies as needed.
Conclusion
This case study illustrates the significant impact that a holistic approach to digital operations can have on a restaurant’s success. By consolidating platforms, reducing costs, increasing customer engagement, and putting the restaurant owners back in control of their digital assets, we were able to create a sustainable, efficient, and profitable digital strategy.
At JKS Digital, we specialize in working with businesses to simplify their digital operations and drive growth. If you’re struggling with your digital strategy, don’t hesitate to reach out. We’re here to help you optimize your digital presence and take your business to the next level.
