How a Cafe Can be More Persuasive

Let me help brainstorm ways a café could ethically influence customer behaviour and increase engagement. There are something like 26,000 cafes in Australia, and the market can only support like 20,000. Here are my tips to not go broke:

Physical Environment:

• Keeping the seats out before and after peak times to signal openness
• Keeping the lights on and lit on the signage, above the door
• Appetizing pastry/food displays at eye level
• Pleasant ambient scents (e.g., coffee, baked goods)

Social Proof:

• Display positive reviews and ratings
• Feature customer photos enjoying products (with permission)
• Highlight popular/trending menu items
• Share stories of regular customers

Menu Design:

• Use descriptive, sensory-rich item names and descriptions
• Place high-margin items in menu sweet spots (top right, first/last)
• Include a few premium "anchor" items to make mid-range prices seem reasonable
• Group similar items strategically

Staff Interactions:

• Train staff in active listening and personalized recommendations
• Use positive framing ("Would you like to try our freshly baked croissants?" vs "Do you want anything else?")
• Remember returning customers' preferences
• Share genuine enthusiasm about products

Would you like me to elaborate on any of these areas or explore additional persuasion strategies?