Success Stories
It works! Food and Wine Marketing Success Stories
1. Marisol Restaurant
Prior to the Hurricane, I owned a lovely bistro in New Orleans’ French Quarter. After the bombings of 9/11, the tourists disappeared. They were afraid to fly. My dining room was empty.
I began a campaign of newsletters by postal mail and email. One year later, business had increased by more than 25% – just with my words.
My success in promoting Marisol is the reason I can now tell you about…
2. Maggio’s Restaurant
This suburban Philadelphia restaurant had been in business for nearly 30 years. It had always been a neighborhood pizza restaurant in a strip mall. Seated about 50 people. Their tiny bar was mostly unused.
Then they lost their lease.
They tried unsuccessfully to buy a small place near their original location, so they would be near their customer base.
Eventually, they leased an enormous space – the site of a defunct grocery store.
They installed a 250-seat restaurant, a 30 seat coffee nook, a 300 seat banquet room, and a vast sports bar.
Owners Michael and Gina Schubert had no real experience with bars.
I suggested a series of attention-getting events. At that point, they had about 400 people on their email list.
A 3-part series of emails on one such event garnered this response from Gina Schubert of Maggio’s…
“Janis, it went GREAT!!!!! ….a great success. We had over 500 ppl attend.”
Today Maggio’s has nearly 8500 people on its email list and markets to them successfully week after week.
3. Mimi’s Restaurant of River Ridge
Another 30-year old suburban sleeper…this one near New Orleans. Chef-owner David Whitmore had been a customer at Marisol and was familiar with my marketing programs.
He had attempted to send out his own emails without much success.
So when a big-name New Orleans chef moved into a nearby location, he asked me for help.
Here’s a sampling of the response Chef David received from the first email…
- The look is great! I will suggest to my husband that we come over to your place for dinner either tonight or this weekend.
- Love the new look. Keep it going and keep up the good work…
- It is much easier to read and more exciting.
- Love the new email format
- The new look is a hit! The pictures are a good addition. Keep cookin’!
Business at Mimi’s has increased tremendously. Here’s a sampling of what Chef David Whitmore has written to me…
- After the first email…First time in “email flyer” history – I had someone respond stating they thought it looked delicious and would love to come by this weekend.
- Regarding OctoberFest #1…We were slammed. It is HOT!
- Regarding Octoberfest #2…Busy again. Every night this week!
- Regarding Boss’s Day…Awesome, looked great
- Regarding the first Reveillon email…It has been a hit. People love it.
Mimi’s of River Ridge had just 90 people on their email list when I took over their marketing. After only 5 months, their list had grown by 777%.
Frequently contacting Mimi’s customers means that…
Sales are UP. Check averages are UP. Repeat visits are UP.
Chef Dave is no longer worried about the big-name chef down the street.
4. TV Weatherwoman has first-time art show at Vega Tapas Café
Margaret Orr, New Orleans television weather-woman and aspiring painter had her first-ever professional art show at Vega Tapas Café.
Press releases and an email blitz garnered this response from Margaret Orr…
Janis, you did such a great job! It’s obvious you are a PR pro…I’m impressed.
The station said they might cover it!
Result: The grand opening was packed, the TV station covered it, and the artist sold nearly everything on display.
5. Your inspiring story goes here
Those quiet phones, vacant sales floors, and empty tables are costing you money with every second that you delay.
Don’t wait! Call my office at 504 367-4338 or email me right now at janis@foodwinemarketing.com.