The Ultimate Quick Service Restaurant Marketing Guide
Quick Service Restaurants, or QSRs, are establishments that offer quick and convenient food service. These restaurants focus on delivering fast service and providing meals that can be prepared and served rapidly. QSRs typically have limited menus and offer a range of popular, affordable, and easily customizable food options. Common examples of QSR’s are fast food chains and restaurants such as Dominos, Jersey Mike’s, Burger King, Panera, or Dunkin Donuts, but they don’t always have to be chain restaurants. QSR’s can be any type of efficient order and payment systems, drive-thru windows, and dine-in or take-out options to cater to customers looking for quick and convenient meals. At BR Printers, we have worked to develop and strengthen the printed marketing products used by QSR’s across the United States.
Why is marketing important for Quick Service Restaurants?
Marketing is crucial for Quick Service Restaurants (QSRs) to differentiate themselves, attract new customers, retain existing ones, drive revenue, adapt to changing consumer preferences, and establish a strong brand presence in a competitive marketplace. Effective marketing helps QSRs stand out from the competition and attract a larger customer base. Marketing plays a vital role in building brand awareness for QSRs. By reaching out to potential customers through various channels, such as advertising, social media, and direct mail, QSRs can expand their customer base and drive sales. Effective marketing efforts also focus on retaining existing customers. Consumer preferences and trends in the food industry are constantly evolving. Marketing allows QSRs to stay attuned to these changes and adapt their offerings, promotions, and messaging accordingly.
Popular Printed Marketing Collateral for Quick Service Restaurants
While you understand the purpose and benefits of printed marketing for QSR’s, which products should you consider for your restaurant? The list below features many products that are popular among our QSR clients.
Commercial Print 
Menus
Table Tents
Takeout Menus
Loyalty Cards
Coupons & Vouchers
Brochures
Large Format
Posters
Banners
Window Graphics
Direct Mail 
Coupon Self-Mailers
Promotional Postcards
Targeted and Local Campaigns
Packaging
Bags
To-Go Boxes
Cups & Drinkware
Wrappers
Promotional Products & Custom Apparel 
Napkins
Employee Merchandise
Customer Merchandise
Many of these items are seen in every QSR, but others like direct mail, promotional products, brochures, and custom packaging are unique offers that quick services restaurants choose to stand out, target new and existing customers, and share promotions.
How to Transform your Quick Service Restaurant with Marketing Collateral
Keep it Visual
Use high-quality images of your food and beverages to make your commercial print and large format graphics visually enticing.
Use intentional Calls-to-Action
Encourage customers to take action by including clear call-to-action statements on your marketing collateral. For example, “Order Now,” “Visit Us Today,” or “Get Your Free Meal.”
Integrate Digital and Print Marketing
The success of your digital marketing campaigns can skyrocket with multiple physical touchpoints.
Try Out Direct Mail
Direct mail postcards, newsletters, catalogs, self-mailers, and packages are all useful direct mail tools marketers in all industries use to target their current or potential guests. Try announcing special offers, free play, room discounts, and events with a targeted direct mail marketing campaign or an every door direct mail marketing campaign (EDDM).
Choose the Right Collateral
Evaluate your marketing goals and find a few pieces of marketing collateral that support your QSR marketing strategy. Also, consider what printed collateral could support the digital marketing efforts of your business.
Create a Design that Follows Brand Guidelines
Whether you’re creating a piece of direct mail or a business card, be sure to use company fonts, colors, imagery, and voice. Consider hiring a freelance graphic designer or agency if you don’t have one at your business.
Measure Effectiveness
Once you’ve decided which type of collateral you’d like, the perfect design, printed your items, and distributed them, be sure to measure their effectiveness! Ask new buyers how they found you, add a QR code you can track to your flyer or brochure, and find other ways to monitor your campaigns.
Expand your Reach with BR Printers
Here at BR Printers, we have experience with all types of traditional marketing collateral, and we put our client’s success above all else. If you want to see a return on investment for your quick service restaurants’ marketing collateral, you’ve found the place.
Based in San Jose, CA, with facilities in San Diego, CA, Denver, CO, Appleton, WI, Cincinnati, OH, and Independence, KY, BR is a provider of book, commercial, and large format printing and marketing services, packaging, promotional products, value chain, and logistics management to marketers and the publishing industry’s most recognizable names. BR’s national footprint, combined with a solution-centric focus, allows it to leverage data and technology while maintaining an appreciation and respect for traditional print craftsmanship.