I read a great story a few weeks ago about the increase of onsite dining opportunities for tired travelers. A long drive through construction traffic can drive a visitor to almost lose their cool. Sometimes, they do not want to unhitch the tow car, clean up and fix their hair, and then go back out into rush hour traffic to find a restaurant. Can you blame them?

Many resorts have begun expanding their food services. The article mentions they ordered hamburgers and fries and they were delivered hot to their RV via curb service without the tray in the window. At the Sundermeier RV Park in St. Charles, Missouri their restaurant, Beef Eaters, also offers prime rib, New York Strip Steak, or their award-winning clam chowder. The article goes on to mention that 130 resorts now offer full-service restaurant service and it is a growing trend.

Unlike building a new restaurant, a resort already has location, parking, building, staff, utilities, and a built-in hungry audience, so opening a restaurant for dining in or out, or both is probably within your budget. If your guests stay two nights x forty dollars a night, you grossed $80. But if they also bought two meals x $20 a meal for two folks adds forty dollars to your eighty dollar rentals for a total of $120 for those guests.

If your park averages just 10 meals a night, that $2800 per week, or $145,600 more dollars a year!

You can start small by offering just dinner or breakfast while offering a few key items most folks would eat, and as your business grows add a few more items to increase your profits.

Create a flyer to put in their hands at registration and promote the dining experience on your website. Don't forget to offer specials from time to time. You might even consider taking an order for dinner during registration for delivery when they want it. For some it may be as soon as possible, others may want to do some chores first and eat in an hour. Either way, you have an order and more profit!

Last point: Make sure the food is good so they'll buy more than one meal, and perhaps stop again soon for a great stay and great food at your RV Resort. If the food is special, your guests will not only review your park at the various review sites, they'll mention your food as well!

In some areas you might have to expand your city license or obtain permit. In some cases, using plastic utensils, plates, and cups can hold down the price of the startup and allow obtaining a permit a bit easier.

Thanks to RVDaily Report for this tip! If you have a tip, please share with us by email to: Tom@GoGti.com.

Copyright 2009 by GTI Consutling, LLC