Many in the restaurant business are very much concerned that the US economy might go into a double dip recession in 2010, and although many economists say this is not likely, many other economists say it’s more than possible. Why you ask? Much of it has to do with the job market. Both retailers and restaurants need to have those consumers back working, so they have the money to spend again. Consumers have cut back drastically, and all the businesses are vying for the same dollar, there just aren’t enough to go around.

What can a local community restaurant do to keep up with the chain store restaurants, which are low-balling prices and having price wars and special discounts on their menus? What can a neighborhood restaurant that’s been in business for 20 years, but doesn’t have sufficient cash flow to compete with the mass marketing of the chains do at a time like this? If you are restaurant owner, I know you have questions like this, and since I know a little bit about the topic – I’d like to offer you some simple advice.

You need to get back to grassroots marketing, you need to participate in the local community, and participate in Community Food Drives, where you donate the left-over food that you can no longer sell or serve at the end of the day. Even if it is a small amount of potential wasted food each day, every little bit helps, especially when community food banks are at an all-time low, and completely on the verge of bankruptcy.

Why not call up the local food bank, ask to speak with a representative, tell them what kind of food that you have at the end of the day usually that you can donate, and find a volunteer that can come pick up the food and take it back to the food bank. Then take a picture of your employees under the sign of the food bank and hang that up in the lobby of your restaurant. Likewise, you should call the local newspaper and challenge other community restaurants to do the same thing.

In fact you should form your own coalition and local community association of restaurants, even set up a social networking site on Ning dot com. You should find ways to co-op your marketing with other mom-and-pop restaurants in your city and town. Even suggesting that local folks go out to dinner twice a week at one of the association member’s restaurants. You would be surprised how much you can do with very little money and community-based marketing. But you have to think out of the box, and you need to get started today. Please consider all this from your local community restaurant consultant.