But none of that really matters if you\u2019re missing the most important ingredient in the recipe for restaurant success: <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Paying customers. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
A steady stream of paying customers coming through the door is a beautiful sight for any<\/em> restaurant\u2026 but the truth is that the stakes are higher than usual right now. <\/p>\n\n\n\n When you consider that: <\/p>\n\n\n\n \u2026 then attracting new customers quickly becomes a \u201cneed,\u201d not a \u201cwant.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n So, if you\u2019re among the 30%<\/span><\/a> of restaurant owners concerned about sales volume this year (despite doing all you can to attract new customers)… don\u2019t panic. <\/p>\n\n\n\n If your current efforts aren\u2019t attracting the customers you want \u2014 and need <\/em>\u2014then it\u2019s time to think outside the box, and try something you might not have thought of before: <\/p>\n\n\n\n A community restaurant partnership. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Salad and Go x North Texas Food Bank. <\/em><\/span><\/a><\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n A community restaurant partnership is a collaboration between you\/your restaurant and another organization, business, or individual in your local community. <\/p>\n\n\n\n What that collaboration looks <\/em>like, though? <\/p>\n\n\n\n Well, that\u2019s up to you! <\/p>\n\n\n\n One of the most beautiful things about community restaurant partnerships is that there\u2019s nothing \u201cone-size-fits-all\u201d about \u2018em.<\/p>\n\n\n\n You and your partner each offer a range of unique skills, expertise, knowledge, and values, and you <\/em>decide how you leverage those capabilities in your partnership. <\/p>\n\n\n\n To better illustrate just how diverse a community restaurant partnership can be, here are 3 top-notch examples:<\/p>\n\n\n\n Greater Goods Coffee Co x Austin Pets Alive! <\/em><\/span><\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n Now, the definition of a community restaurant partnership is pretty straightforward\u2026 <\/p>\n\n\n\n But it\u2019s still missing the \u201cwhy.\u201d <\/p>\n\n\n\n Why are community restaurant partnerships worth exploring? What do you and your partner gain from it? What does the community<\/em> gain from it? <\/p>\n\n\n\n Those are good questions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n And luckily, we\u2019ve got good answers. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Here are some benefits of community restaurant partnerships for you, your partner, and<\/em> your shared community\/communities. <\/p>\n\n\n\n (Spoiler alert: there are tons.)<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n When you start a community restaurant partnership, the \u201cjoining forces\u201d bit refers to your audiences, too. Working with a community partner means gaining access to their audience, getting your restaurant in front of brand-new people who could eventually become brand-new customers. Plus, customers referred to your brand by others have a 37% higher<\/span><\/a> retention rate! <\/p>\n\n\n\n From expecting brands to take a stance on social issues<\/span><\/a> to happily paying more for eco-friendly options<\/span><\/a>, people want to support businesses working to do better <\/em>\u2014 something that\u2019s easier with a community partner in your corner. Partnerships can offer more resources, support, and opportunities to actually <\/em>do better, making a difference and building trust within your community.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Success isn\u2019t about \u201cwho you know\u201d… but connections never hurt.<\/em> You and your partner can expand your now-shared network by making introductions to suppliers, venues, and other relevant contacts that propel your efforts forward. After all, people trust small businesses<\/span><\/a> more than any other corporation \u2014 why not work with the local folks your community already trusts?<\/p>\n\n\n\n While restaurants typically spend 3-6% of their gross<\/span> sales<\/span><\/a> on marketing, the high price tag of certain efforts means 3% might not get you as far as you\u2019d like (especially since Facebook ads cost ~$0.52 per click<\/span><\/a>). Community restaurant partnerships are a great, low-to-no-cost way to get your business in front of new eyes; they don\u2019t have to cost you anything but time and effort! <\/p>\n\n\n\n While that list of benefits probably got you a little more on board with community restaurant partnerships\u2026 don\u2019t start reaching out to potential partners just<\/em> yet. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Community restaurant partnerships can be extremely beneficial<\/span><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n But only when<\/em> they\u2019re done right. <\/p>\n\n\n\n So, to make sure you and your future community partner will 100% be on the same page, check out this list of considerations (and keep it handy going forward!).<\/p>\n\n\n\n With this list of considerations \u2014 and whatever other considerations you have that are specific to your restaurant \u2014 not everyone will be a perfect partner match.<\/p>\n\n\n\n And that\u2019s okay! <\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n The more aligned you and your community partner are, the more fruitful the partnership and its efforts will be \u2014 for everyone<\/em> involved. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Grist House x Eat’n Park<\/em><\/span><\/a><\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n Now, there\u2019s no doubt that community partnerships can do a lot of good for your restaurant. <\/p>\n\n\n\n But I\u2019d be remiss to leave out this one, important detail:<\/p>\n\n\n\n You probably already have a jam-packed marketing plan, with a million and one other<\/em> things you want to do for your restaurant.<\/p>\n\n\n\n So, how does this new thing fit in? <\/p>\n\n\n\n Pretty easily, actually. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Deena McKinley \u2014 the Managing Partner and Founder of Maverick Marketing Solutions, LLC. and<\/em> a friend of Craver \u2014 recently collaborated with Craver on a guide called \u201cRestaurant Marketing 101<\/span><\/a>.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n In Section 3<\/span><\/a>, Deena explains that every good marketing plan outlines your restaurant\u2019s specific marketing strategies, A.K.A. \u201cthe tactics you will use to achieve your goals.\u201d <\/p>\n\n\n\n And, one of the first marketing strategies she recommends you start with?<\/p>\n\n\n\n Community restaurant partnerships. <\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cWhether you\u2019re giving back to local organizations making a difference or partnering with a long-time community favorite, you\u2019re making yourself a pillar of your community,\u201d says Deena<\/span><\/a>. \u201c[People] who love where they live want to support businesses that feel the same way.\u201d <\/p>\n\n\n\n
![\"Salad](\"https:\/\/www.getcraver.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/Salad-and-Go-and-North-Texas-Food-Bank.png\")
<\/figure>\n\n\n\nWhat are Community Restaurant Partnerships? <\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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![\"Greater](\"https:\/\/www.getcraver.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/Greater-Goods-x-Austin-Pets-Alive.png\")
<\/p>\n\n\n\nWhat are the Benefits of Community Restaurant Partnerships? <\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
1. Increased Brand Visibility and Awareness<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
2. A Stronger Reputation for Doing (and Being) Better<\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
3. Improved Access to Local Community Assets<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
4. A More Cost-effective Approach to Marketing<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Considerations Before Developing a Community Restaurant Partnership<\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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![\"Grist](\"https:\/\/www.getcraver.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/Grist-House-x-EatN-Park.png\")
<\/figure>\n\n\n\nHow Community Partnerships Fit Into Your Marketing Plan <\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n