Know-How Exchange : Advertising/PR

A leaflet drop would be most effective since you want physically close businesses. Target secretaries and receptionists at the business and give them company specific invite cards, then reward the top 10 who get people along with a free meal or outfit or whatever.

Join the local Chamber of Commerce and host a meeting.
Offer special prices to local professional organizations (incl. service organizations) for using your meeting room.

Definitely go to the businesses -- introduce yourself and ask for their business. Are you offering catering? I am sure these firms have working lunches often. In addition to stopping by, bring a cookie or fresh bread basket (or other sampling).

Joining the chamber is a good idea-- but again ask for their business too. They regularly entertain. Go to your city officials, economic development groups etc-- ask for their biz.

Beyond that look for events that keep things interesting. Host an art show with local artists, fashion show as seasons change with local clothing stores. The more you are part of the community and help others to succeed-- so will you.

Sell Well and Prosper tm

Just like sampling when you are at the mall - they always get you with a little nibble, work with the building management groups to host sampling in the building lobby's as everyone leaves for lunch. Have samples on a tray and hand out coupons/menu's and catering information. You will make some good contats with the businesses and can come back and talk to the whole office, once they know who you are. Take lots of collateral materials and make it simple for everyone to remember you with a biz card, magnet or something they can keep on their desk.

Also - something a restaurant does across the street from us, is provide local business lunch cards to businesses to give employees that provide a fixed cost lunch menu set at $10 including tax and tip for a select number of items in the resaurant. You can call ahead or walk over, present your card and get everything on the prix fixe menu knowing exactly what it will be for a high waulity - hot- lunch. not just sandwiches.

Serve delicious food, including low-fat choices, and don't charge exorbitant prices (make less profit per plate but sell more plates). You want patrons to put you on their heavy rotation list, say they eat lunch with you at least twice a week. After hours you have to cater to a different clientele, not the office crowd. In addition to serving different types of food at dinner, try different lighting to set an evening mood, different wait staff uniforms, live music. You almost want to create the illusion of owning 2 different restaurants.