Attracting Foodies in the Airport

I’m sitting in a black chair connected to about ten others. In front of me is Ducky’s. Behind me is Bay & Tea Company and the CNBC smartshop. To my right: Auntie Anne’s. And to my left is Starbucks. Now, what place would have five different restaurants so close together? A mall? An airport? Well, I am at Tampa International Airport. And now, my flight has been delayed. Thanks Tampa storms. But, you could say it’s a place foodies want their flights to be delayed.

How do people choose which restaurants they want to eat at over layovers? Whether it’s a quick hour layover or a long three-hour layover, you want people to come to your place. Now, how do you attract the antsy, focused passengers that just want to get to their final destination?

You have to know who your target audience is. The layover crowd can be quite different. Are you looking for those families that head straight to the food court and the small convenience stands that run along the edges of the hallways? Or are you targeting the kind of person or group that likes to hunker down and have a few beers and appetizers between flights? These would definitely be businessmen and businesswoman who have experience with the layover situation.

What do they want? Well, people in the business-world need outlets on outlets on outlets. They’re throwing back a few beers, munching on some spinach and artichoke dip, and sending some emails. And they are drinking some beer so you probably should throw some sports on a couple T.V.’s and maybe some news channels, too.

Those who travel for business often fly through the same airports to the same final destination. You want loyal customers. You want customers that come back every time they are in that airport. You want them to tell their colleagues about their awesome experience and that awesome, unique beer they had. So, don’t go cheap. Spend a little more to get a little more.

I’m still sitting here at the Tampa airport and yes; my flight has been delayed because of the torrential downpour that magically appeared (but what’s new, right?). According to thrillest.com, Tampa International Airport is ranked 56^th when it comes to having the best food and drinks in the United States. I’d say that’s pretty good. I have now convinced myself to walk the hallways to see what options there are. Now, what restaurant suits a 21-year-old college girl who just wants to get home to Virginia for the weekend? I’d sure like to be in the #1 ranked Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport.

Sources: https://www.thrillist.com/eat/nation/best-airports-for-food-and-drink-best-american-airports-for-eating  

Promoting your Food Truck to Foodies

Why do foodies flock to food trucks? Well, you’re getting a mind-blowing meal for a minimal price. I’ve always found food trucks really cool and innovative. Such a tiny space to work, but they always seem to have the tastiest, heartiest foods. It’s a no judgment zone for unique food. According to an IBISWorld report, the food truck industry has grown an average of 9.3% per year over the last 5 years. HUGE! They’re becoming a fad.

The idea of driving around a city, a state or even the entire country in a food truck seems kind of cool if you’re the adventurous type, the type who would like to stop at whatever cool paces you cross while making money. But how do Food Truckers survive off of their business? It’s no surprise that revenue depends on a large number of variables. What’s the competition? How many potential customers are walking around in the area? What kind of food are you selling? How much are you charging? What expenses will you have? What are the regulations in your area? All of these things and so many more factors come into play when determining if a food truck could be the right way for you to earn a living.

Once you’ve got the permits and all of that fun stuff (sarcasm), how will you attract customers?

The Name

Of course, you have to be creative and come up with an intriguing and attention-grabbing name for your truck. I think it’s best when the name of a food truck hints to what kind of food you sell, in a clever way.

Using Technology

Social media has become a massive part of our lives in the past decade or so. Using platforms such as Twitter, Facebook and Instagram to promote your large box on wheels is a fun way to gain response! Users can follow your journey as you tweet your location at that exact moment, your specials of the day, and just life in the food truck. These applications allow followers to respond to your posts, so in order to show them you care, try to respond to as many tweets and comments as you can.

Hosting Contests/Giveaways

You can use the different social media platforms to have someone for example, name a new meal or if you’re just starting out, name your truck.

Word-of-Mouth

This is an inexpensive, effective tool that benefits businesses all over the world. For example, several companies have used the “Refer a friend and both of you will get 15% off!” Who doesn’t love discounted food?

These are just a few ideas that would bring in customers (hopefully repeat ones) that could help grow your customer base and your food truck business in its entirety. Consumers’ preferences are changing to more unique, foodie-inspired cuisines that don’t empty your wallet. Food trucks give you just that.

Would you ever start a food truck? Share some of your aspirations and ideas belowJ

Sources: http://clients1.ibisworld.com.esearch.ut.edu/reports/us/industry/default.aspx?entid=4322

Now don’t get me wrong, I love food. Especially breakfast foods because, you know, they ARE the most important meal of the day…which I could have three times a day. But I’m not sure I would call myself a foodie. I don’t go to many food festivals and don’t enjoy cooking all that much (only on rare occasions when I’m feeling like a chef) mainly because the food isn’t acceptable for anyone else’s eyes but mine…yikes.

The word ‘Foodie’ has been around for quite some time, but recently there has been a rise in all things food. With Pinterest pinning all of these DIY things like endless recipes and cooking shows becoming more prominent, how could you not consider yourself a foodie? My mom thinks she’s a total foodie because she looks up recipes on Pinterest and attempts to make them (don’t tell her I said “attempt”). Well anyways, we all know the food lies in heart of the home: the kitchen. Any time we have guests over, whether it’s friends, family, or neighbors, everyone always gathers in the kitchen where all the food is. My mom hates it. I love it. I can just sit at the barstool and eat, eat, eat and if i must, occasionally talk.

To get a clearer understanding of today’s foodie, here’s a little knowledge I’m going to throw at you. Foodies aren’t just the people who know about all of the hotspots around town or go to each and every food festival, they are inching closer and closer to becoming the ones that put more energy into experimenting with ingredients in their own kitchen (my mom doesn’t know the hotspots, anywhere, so that’s just another reason she’s not a foodie).

I feel as though marketing brands to foodies has become such an interesting and cool thing. As any food lover like myself does, foodies also “feast with their eyes” as some would say. So visuals would be a persuasive technique, to say the least. They are Millennials that post pictures of their food on Instagram or pin it on Pinterest. They are trendy. They want the next best thing. So, increasing your social media presence will help you understand what Foodies’ passions are at that specific time. You can also build relationships with them and show them that you’re not all about the money, but you’re passionate about food as well.

Foodies’ tastes are constantly changing, keeping up with the latest and greatest, so to be a great marketer to all the foodies out there, you have to be one step ahead.

Would you call yourself a foodie? Comment below and share your thoughts J