People can get almost anything delivered these days. Tacos. Tiki cocktails. Even fondue if they’re ambitious enough. Convenience is the new baseline, and your restaurant or bar probably offers it.
But here’s the twist: the better your at-home experience is, the more your in-person vibe has to stand out. Because when guests can eat your food in pajamas while streaming The Bear, it takes more than a decent burger to get them off the couch.
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Delivery’s Not the Enemy (But It’s Not the Hero Either)
Online ordering is table stakes. If guests can’t find you on their phones, you’re invisible. And if their takeout shows up cold or careless, you’ve lost their loyalty.
But delivery won’t win fans on its own. The magic still happens inside your four walls, and that has to be where you shine.
Why They Still Show Up
Your guests can scroll TikTok and stream sports at home. What they can’t get is you:
- Music with a pulse: energy that matches your crowd, not background filler.
- Screens with purpose: curated video that builds your vibe, not just noise.
- Staff with personality: a smile at the bar beats a driver at the door every time.
Delivery Done Right (But Don’t Stop There)
Think of takeout as a bridge to your in-person experience.
- Packaging is branding: neat, hot, consistent, then push it further with your logo, a playlist QR code, or even a handwritten thank-you.
- Pickup perks: make it worth stopping in – “Free app on your next dine-in” or “$5 off when you come back this week.”
The Bounce-Back Effect
Delivery and dine-in don’t compete; they should feed each other. Try:
- Takeout → In-person: “Thanks for ordering in. Next time, your first pint is on us if you dine in.”
- In-person → At-home: “Loved trivia night? Scan the code for the playlist and order us next time you can’t make it.”
- Cross-promotion: tease upcoming events (live music, karaoke, trivia) right on your to-go packaging or ordering app.
What This Means for You
You don’t need a tech overhaul to pull this off. Start with what you already do well:
- Got a killer trivia night? Post the playlist and highlights online to build FOMO for next week.
- Running in-house promos? Tie them to online orders so takeout guests have a reason to visit in person.
- Use your screens to show personality: highlight events, atmosphere, and the energy people can’t get at home.
The Takeaway (Literally and Figuratively)
Guests want both: a solid at-home option for when they’re tired, and an in-person experience that feels like an event, even on a Wednesday. At-home should remind them why being there is worth it.
Control Play helps you turn your space into the place people want to be, with the right music, screens, and atmosphere to back it up. Schedule your 3 step action plan!
So go ahead, let them stream. But give them something they can’t stream from you.
