Your guide to the best restaurant merchandise ideas

One of the most effective ways to boost your business and generate additional revenue is by offering restaurant merchandise. From trendy accessories to gourmet muffin mixes, the right merchandise can turn your loyal diners into ambassadors, spreading the word about your eatery.

Join us as we explore how restaurants that sell merchandise can harness the power of swag to enhance brand awareness, drive marketing efforts, and more.

Why offer restaurant merchandise?

Before we jump into the types of restaurant merchandise you can offer, let’s talk about why it’s a smart and strategic move for your restaurant business.

Brand awareness & free advertising

Imagine your restaurant’s name and logo on a trendy hoodie or a sleek insulated water bottle. When your customers wear or use these items, they’re not just enjoying a piece of your business—they’re advertising it. Merchandise acts as mobile advertising, taking your brand beyond the confines of your restaurant. Whether it’s a T-shirt worn on a weekend hike or a mug used in a busy office, each piece of merchandise spreads awareness of your restaurant, creating buzz and attracting new customers.

Additional revenue streams

In the restaurant business, every penny counts. Offering merchandise opens up a new revenue stream that can significantly boost your bottom line. High-quality, branded items can command premium prices, especially if they align with the tastes and preferences of your target audience. For example, if your diner is known for serving artisanal coffee, selling branded coffee beans or the mugs you use can be a natural extension of your restaurant’s brand that customers will gladly pay for.

Increasing top-of-mindedness

For many customers, dining out is not just about the food—it’s about the experience. Offering cool restaurant merchandise gives your guests a way to take a piece of that experience home with them. Whether it’s a jar of your famous hot sauce or a bag of the local flour you use in your pizzas, these items serve as reminders of their visit—increasing top-of-mindedness. Plus, they make great gifts, spreading your brand even further.

Driving restaurant marketing efforts

Merchandise can be a powerful tool in your marketing arsenal. It provides a tangible way to engage with your customers and elevate your brand. By incorporating merchandise into your restaurant marketing campaigns—whether it’s through social media giveaways, holiday promotions, or loyalty programs—you can create buzz and drive more traffic to your restaurant on and offline.

Types of restaurant merchandise to consider

Now that we’ve covered the benefits of selling merchandise, let’s explore the different types you can offer and how they can represent your restaurant brand.

Restaurant clothing & accessories

Clothing is one of the most popular forms of restaurant merchandise, and for good reason. It’s versatile, wearable, and highly visible.

• T-shirts & hoodies: Restaurant shirts are staple items that appeal to a wide range of customers. Make sure they’re stylish, comfortable, and feature a design that reflects your restaurant’s vibe. For example, if you run a laid-back beachside café, a surf-inspired T-shirt with your logo could be a hit.
• Hats & beanies: Branded restaurant hats or beanies are another popular choice, offering a more subtle way for customers to show their support for your business.
• Aprons & tote bags: For a more functional approach, consider items like aprons or tote bags. These can be especially appealing if your restaurant has a strong culinary or farm-to-table focus.
• Reusable water bottles: A trendy item that appeals to health-conscious diners, these bottles can be branded with your logo and sold as an accessory to compliment their active lifestyles.

Restaurant gifts & souvenirs

Items that can be gifted are perfect for customers looking to share a piece of your restaurant with friends and family. These products also make great souvenirs that guests can take home as a memento of their visit, incentivising travelers to dine with you.

• Pantry items: If your restaurant has a signature sauce, spice blend, or dessert mix, consider packaging and selling it. Pancake mixes, preserves, and hot sauces are just a few examples of pantry items that can easily be turned into merchandise. You might need to obtain additional restaurant permits to sell certain food products, so be sure to check your local regulations.
• Local ingredients: Does your restaurant pride itself on using local ingredients? Consider selling those ingredients in retail-friendly formats. This not only promotes your commitment to local sourcing but also gives customers a way to recreate their favorite dishes at home.
• Mugs & matchbooks: Classic items like restaurant mugs and matchbooks are timeless souvenirs customers love. They’re also affordable and easy to produce.
• Branded utensils: Items like spatulas, cutting boards, or oven mitts with your restaurant logo can be great sellers.

Low-cost promotional items for restaurants

Not all restaurant merch has to be expensive. Low-cost items can be just as effective at promoting your restaurant business, especially when given away as freebies.

• Stickers & bumper stickers: Restaurant stickers are simple yet effective tools for spreading brand awareness. Plus, customers love sticking them on their laptops, water bottles, and cars.
• Buttons & pins: Small, easy to produce, and perfect for customers who want a subtle way to show their support.
• Bottle openers & corkscrews: Functional items like these are things your customers will use regularly, keeping your business top-of-mind.

Selecting the best restaurant merchandise

With so many options to choose from, how do you decide which merchandise is right for your restaurant? Here are some tips to help you make the best choice.

Understanding your target audience

The key to selling restaurant merchandise is understanding your audience. What are their preferences, lifestyles, and spending habits? If your restaurant caters to a younger, trendier crowd, consider offering stylish, Instagram-worthy items like graphic long sleeve T-shirts or eco-friendly tote bags. If your clientele is more upscale, high-quality kitchen accessories or gourmet food products might be a better fit.

Reflecting your brand ethos

Your merchandise should be a direct reflection of your restaurant brand and values. If sustainability is a core part of your brand, consider offering eco-friendly items like reusable water bottles or organic cotton T-shirts. If your restaurant is rooted in local sourcing, highlight that by selling products made from local ingredients. Whatever you choose, make sure it aligns with your brand ethos and tells your restaurant’s story.

Quality vs. quantity

When it comes to the best restaurant merchandise, quality matters. High-quality items not only last longer but also leave a better impression on your customers. It’s better to offer a smaller selection of high-quality merchandise than a wide range of lower-quality items. Remember, your merchandise represents your business, so make sure it’s something you’re proud to stand behind.

Marketing your restaurant merchandise

Once you’ve selected your merch, the next step is to get the word out. Here are some simple to use strategies to effectively market your restaurant merchandise.

Selling restaurant merchandise on-site

The best place for selling restaurant merchandise is obviously at your restaurant. Place your merch in high-traffic areas where customers are likely to see it, such as near the entrance, at the checkout counter, or in a dedicated display case.

It can also be helpful to train your staff to make sure they’re knowledgeable about the products and comfortable promoting them to customers. Offering incentives, like a small commission on sales, can also help motivate your team to sell more. Plus, your merchandise can include items worn by your employees–making them walking billboards.

Website integration

In today’s digital age, having an online store is essential. Adding a merchandise section to your restaurant website makes it easy for customers to browse and purchase items from the comfort of their own homes. Make sure your restaurant online store is user-friendly and features high-quality images and detailed descriptions of each product.

Social media marketing

Social media is a powerful tool for promoting your merchandise and generating user generated content (UGC). Encourage customers to post photos of themselves using your merchandise, and feature these posts on your social media pages (with their permission, of course!) to build a sense of community and engagement.

Restaurant email marketing

Don’t underestimate the power of a well-crafted email campaign. Use your email list to announce new merchandise, run special promotions, and remind customers about holiday gift ideas. Email campaigns are especially effective during the holiday season when customers are looking for unique and thoughtful gifts.

Selling restaurant merchandise is easy with Clover

Managing and selling merchandise can be a complex task, but the right POS system can make it much easier. A POS system like Clover offers a range of features that can streamline your merchandise operations and help you maximize sales.

Clover’s POS systems also offer integrated marketing features that make it easy to run promotions, offer discounts, and engage with customers. You can use these features to promote your merchandise, track customer loyalty, and even send personalized offers to your most loyal diners.

Why wait? Get started with a Clover POS System today to elevate your business.