We closed a venue: where did its guests go?
What the answer looks like
Illustrative output on sample data
Illustrative example: how Lexi answers this for a noodle bar chain that closed a downtown location. It tracks the location's 5,800 regular guests across every venue and the ordering app for six months.
- Moved to the nearest location, 1.2 miles away: 31%
- Moved to online ordering: 18%
- Moved to another location: 7%
- Stopped visiting: 44%
What the data shows
The closure plan assumed two-thirds of guests would transfer. 56% have.
What it means
Most guests who stopped were weekday lunch regulars who worked near the closed site and found the walk to the next location too far.
What to do
Send those lunch regulars a delivery offer for their office, and invite the rest to the nearest location with a welcome dish.
Want me to build the lunch regulars segment?
Why it matters
Closing a venue assumes its guests will move to a sister venue, but many simply stop coming. Tracking where those guests went shows how much trade really moved, which guests are still reachable and what to change before the next closure.
Frequently asked questions
What happens to guests when a restaurant closes?
Some move to a sister venue, some switch to ordering online and many stop visiting. The split depends on distance, how guests used the closed venue and whether anyone invited them to the alternatives, so track it guest by guest.
How do you keep guests when closing a venue?
Tell regulars before the closure and invite them to the nearest venue with a reason to visit, such as a favorite dish or a welcome offer. Offer online ordering or delivery for guests whose routine depended on the old location.
How long should you track guests after a closure?
At least six months, since some guests take time to settle on a new venue. Compare their visits before and after, and act early on guests who have not visited anywhere in the group within the first two months.