Boost Your Foodservice Sales with Cross-Selling, Upselling, and Bundling

Boost Your Foodservice Sales with Proven Marketing Tactics

Consumer eating habits are evolving. Families no longer gather around the dinner table every night, and kids often have a say in what, when, and where they eat—frequently choosing to eat out. Additionally, solo dining is on the rise, with 44% of adult meals eaten alone and 48% of adult eating consisting of snacks between meals. This shift creates a prime opportunity for grocery chains, quick-service restaurants, fast-food outlets, and convenience stores to capture more business with fast, convenient food options.

To meet the needs of today’s consumers and drive more traffic and sales, revisit these three proven marketing tactics that continue to deliver results:

These strategies aren’t just revenue boosters—they align with modern consumer preferences. Let’s explore how you can apply them to maximize sales in your foodservice business.

Cross-Selling: Enhance the Meal Experience

Effective cross-selling focuses on meeting customer needs rather than just increasing sales. With more consumers opting for prepared meals, items like rotisserie chicken are increasingly popular. These ready-to-eat options, often consumed within an hour of purchase, offer the perfect opportunity to sell complementary sides and beverages.

For example, a rotisserie chicken program can yield profit margins of 60-80%. When combined with profitable side dishes like salads, mashed potatoes, or vegetables, those margins increase even further. Create bundled meal deals to provide convenience and value while boosting your average transaction size.

Upselling: Offer Premium Choices

Upselling is about offering upgraded options that align with customers’ preferences. Coffee is a prime example—65% of Canadian adults drink coffee daily, with 35% enjoying it outside the home. Specialty coffee, featuring options like cold microfoam and custom hot foam, can generate gross profits of 80% or more. By offering premium choices, you satisfy consumer demand for high-quality beverages while increasing revenue.

The same principle applies to soft serve and frozen yogurt. Canadians consumed over 58 million kilos of impulse single-serve ice cream in 2014. Enhance your offerings with unique flavors and candy toppings, turning a simple dessert into an indulgent experience that customers are willing to pay more for.

Bundling: Drive Impulse Purchases

With nearly half of adult eating happening between meals, consumers seek convenient snack options. Bundling complementary items at a discounted price encourages impulse purchases while delivering added value.

For instance, pairing a slush with a bag of pretzels or popcorn at a value combo price not only satisfies customers’ cravings but also drives repeat business. With slushes generating gross profits of 70-80%, offering snack bundles allows you to maximize profitability while meeting consumer demand.

Capture More Business with Classic Marketing Tactics

As consumer eating habits continue to shift, these time-tested strategies—cross-selling, upselling, and bundling—are more relevant than ever. By applying them in your restaurant, grocery store, or convenience store, you can increase per-transaction sales, boost overall revenue, and strengthen customer relationships.

What’s stopping you from capturing more business today?

Partner with TFI for Foodservice Solutions That Drive Sales

At TFI Food Equipment Solutions, we provide the commercial foodservice equipment you need to maximize profitability and meet the evolving demands of today’s consumers. Whether you're looking to optimize cross-selling, upselling, or bundling, our innovative solutions help you deliver fast, high-quality food and beverages that keep customers coming back.

Ready to boost your sales? Contact us today to discover how our equipment can help your business thrive!