Restaurant Marketing Ideas for Redlands

Redlands has a lot of places to eat, so standing out takes work. Here are simple ideas to bring in new guests and keep regulars coming back.

1. Win the Google search

When someone types "restaurants near me," Google Maps often shows first. Your free Google Business Profile should have your real hours (and holiday hours), your menu, lots of food photos, and a link to order or book. Answer every review, good or bad, in a kind way.

2. Show your food on social media

Post clear photos and short videos of real dishes. Tell people about specials and new items. Reply to comments and messages fast.

3. Give regulars a reason to return

• A simple punch card or "your 10th visit is on us."
• A weekly special on a slow night.
• Collect emails or phone numbers (with permission) and send a short note when you have a deal.

4. Be part of the town

• Join the Redlands Chamber of Commerce. Its page lists ribbon cuttings for new businesses and member e-blasts.
• Food vendors can apply to the City's Saturday Downtown Morning Market (7:00 to 11:00 AM in the 2026 season).
• Team up with nearby shops for a shared deal or event.

5. Reach homes nearby with mail

Many restaurant guests live close by. A postcard puts your name and offer in homes on the routes around you. Put a clear deal on it, like a free appetizer, and a code so you can count how many people use it.

Be honest about the math, too. In a public Reddit thread about a local ice cream shop, a person who said they run a direct mail company warned that mailing on your own costs a few hundred dollars at least, and small sales may not cover it. That is one reason a shared card can make more sense for food spots: you pay for one spot, not the whole mailing.

6. Track what works

Ask guests, "How did you find us?" Use a different code for each ad. After a month, keep what works and drop what does not. The SBA marketing guide has a free outline for a simple plan.

See how we compare channels in direct mail vs Facebook ads, or read our cheap ways to advertise in Redlands. We mail to homes in Redlands, South Redlands, Mentone and Loma Linda.