In today’s ever-evolving restaurant industry, standing out from the crowd can be a challenge and restaurants are looking for ways to improve restaurant business. One way for restaurants to differentiate themselves is by offering a corkage fee option for customers who wish to bring their own bottles of wine to enjoy with their meals. In this blog post, we’ll explore how corkage fees can be used as a tool to bring in new customers and enhance the dining experience.

What is a Corkage Fee?

First, let’s define what a corkage fee is. A corkage fee is a charge that a restaurant requires for customers who bring their own bottles of wine to the restaurant. This fee is generally a flat charge per bottle, and it covers the cost of providing glasses, ice, and other amenities for the customer’s wine.

Advantages of Corkage Fees to Improve Restaurant Business

One of the main advantages of offering corkage fees is that it can attract new customers to your restaurant. Wine enthusiasts often have a personal collection of wines that they are particularly fond of and want to enjoy while dining out. By offering a corkage fee option, you are catering to this group of customers who may not have otherwise considered your restaurant.

In addition, by offering corkage fees, you are also giving customers an opportunity to bring in a special bottle of wine to celebrate a milestone or special occasion. This can make their dining experience more meaningful and memorable, which can lead to repeat business and positive word-of-mouth. Don’t forget about the friends and family they bring to share in the bottle of wine!

Furthermore, corkage fees allow the customer to taste the wine that they already know they like and also the dishes they order go well with that wine . The guest will get the chance to experiment with what they like, without the restaurant feeling like it is losing a sale from its wine list.

Another benefit of offering corkage fees is that it can help increase wine sales for your restaurant. While some customers may choose to bring their own bottles, others may decide to purchase a bottle from your restaurant’s wine list to complement their meal. This can be a win-win situation for both the customer and the restaurant, as the customer gets to enjoy their preferred wine and the restaurant has the opportunity to sell additional bottles from its list.

Corkage Fees = New Restaurant Customers

In conclusion, offering corkage fees can be a valuable tool for restaurants looking to attract new customers, enhance the dining experience, and improve restaurant business. By providing customers with the option to bring their own bottles of wine, restaurants can cater to wine enthusiasts, create memorable dining experiences, and potentially increase wine sales. 
To get the most out of your restaurant’s corkage fee offering, sign up for just $99/year today. Welcome to the CorkageFee network!