Toni Restaurant Savours Great Success with Groupon
"Groupon is a great platform to get known. It helps us a lot, especially during slower periods."
Stefano Lu, Toni Restaurant
About Toni Restaurant
Toni opened its doors in February 2024, introducing a vibrant take on Italian fusion cuisine to Dublin’s iconic Temple Bar. With a mission to marry tradition and innovation, Toni blends time-honored recipes with a fresh twist to delight every guest.
“We’re reimagining Italian fusion by infusing traditional recipes with a contemporary flair,” explained Stefano Lu, one of the founding chefs. “Our team is proudly Italian: I’m from Puglia, another Stefano hails from Marche, and one of our chefs brings two decades of experience from Lake Como. Having traveled and lived in many countries, we want to bring diverse influences to every dish.”
At Toni, every piece of pasta, from penne to lasagne, and every pizza dough is crafted in-house, ensuring fresh, authentic flavors in every bite.
The Challenge
With a prime spot in Temple Bar, a well-known tourist destination, Toni Restaurant faced a unique challenge. “Most of our clients, about 70%, are tourists,” Stefano explained. “Locals don’t usually come. Most of the people are either tourists, shoppers, or people who return to the area.”
To stand out amid intense competition and maintain steady traffic, the restaurant needed to attract both new and returning customers. Collaborating with Groupon became a strategy to “get known” and boost visibility.
Stefano noted, “being a wide-reach platform, Groupon offers a broad view and the opportunity to reach a vast customer base. So, it’s a good strategy for attracting tourists from other European countries, because they know about Groupon.”
The Results
Since partnering with Groupon in March, the results have been promising. “We launched a campaign on Groupon’s platform in March, and it’s been well received so far,” Stefano shared. “It helps us a lot, especially during slower periods.”
Approximately 10% of their clientele now arrives through Groupon deals. Reflecting on the quality of these customers, Stefano added, “They are great, very nice people.” Moreover, while many Groupon customers are tourists, around 20% have become repeat diners.
This exceeded the team’s initial expectations and demonstrated the platform’s impact. “It helps keep the restaurant full, and at the same time, we use it to get known when we’re less visible,” Stefano summarized.
Top Tips for Working with Groupon
👉 Leverage Your Rep’s Expertise: “The first thing is the rep, which is a key tool that gives you initial support,” Stefano advised. Building a strong relationship with your Groupon representative can streamline the setup and management of your campaigns.
👉 Design Offers Strategically: “I chose a standard menu optimized for our kitchen,” Stefano explained, “in close collaboration with Groupon’s team”. Crafting well-planned menus ensures smooth kitchen operations and customer satisfaction.
👉 Start with a Trial Period: “Try it for two months, and then continue the relationship, which can develop over time,” Stefano suggested. This phased approach allows businesses to adjust offers based on real-world results.
A lasting and sustainable culinary haven in Dublin’s heart
"Groupon has helped us reduce food waste and manage campaigns effectively," Stefano added, reflecting on the broader benefits of working with the platform.
