In this guide
Many restaurants in Thailand, Singapore, and beyond face the same challenge — but with the right adjustments, you can turn things around quickly. In this guide, we’ll cover the most common reasons for low orders on GrabFood and the exact steps you can take to fix them. These strategies are based on proven methods that have helped restaurants boost visibility, attract more customers, and increase sales.
Tip #1 – Check Your Visibility in the App
If customers can’t find you easily, they can’t order from you. Grab’s algorithm decides where your restaurant appears in search results and carousels. If you’re buried on page 5, even the best food won’t help.
🔧 Solution: Search for your own restaurant in the GrabFood app using common keywords for your cuisine (e.g., “Thai BBQ Bangkok”). If you don’t appear in the top results, work on improving your ranking by boosting acceptance rate, maintaining high ratings, and running promotions. These are factors Grab’s algorithm rewards.
Tip #2 – Run an Attractive Promotion
Restaurants with active promotions get featured more and attract higher click-through rates. If you have no promos, you miss out on special sections in the app and lose customers to competitors offering deals.
🔧 Solution: Create at least one ongoing promotion — even a small discount or free drink with a meal can work. Use Grab’s Merchant portal to schedule promos for slow periods, like weekday lunches. Track results and adjust offers to keep them profitable.
Tip #3 – Upgrade Your Menu Photos
Low-quality or missing photos are a big reason customers skip a restaurant. On GrabFood, people order with their eyes first.
🔧 Solution: Replace blurry or dark images with bright, appetizing shots. Ensure all popular dishes have photos. Even using a smartphone with good lighting can make a huge difference.
Tip #4 – Optimize Your Menu Layout
A long, unorganized menu overwhelms customers. If your best dishes are buried, you’re losing sales.
🔧 Solution: Put best-sellers and high-profit items at the top. Group items into clear categories and use descriptive names with keywords (“Spicy Basil Chicken Rice” instead of “Spicy Delight”).
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Tip #5 – Improve Order Handling Speed
Slow confirmations or frequent cancellations hurt both your ranking and customer trust.
🔧 Solution: Keep the GrabMerchant app open during service hours and accept orders immediately. Keep inventory updated so customers never order something you can’t deliver.
Tip #6 – Ask for More Reviews
A low review count or poor rating can scare customers away. Reviews are one of the first things they check before ordering.
🔧 Solution: Politely encourage happy customers to leave a review. A simple thank-you card or QR code in the delivery bag can help boost your rating over time.
Tip #7 – Adjust Operating Hours to Match Demand
If you’re closed during peak times, you’re missing the biggest sales opportunities.
🔧 Solution: Stay open for lunch (11am–2pm), dinner (5pm–9pm), and weekends. Consistent availability improves your ranking and customer loyalty.
Tip #8 – Use Grab’s Marketing Tools
Grab offers ads, loyalty programs, and special campaigns to boost visibility — but many restaurants don’t use them.
🔧 Solution: Test GrabAds for your best dishes or area. Join seasonal campaigns for extra exposure, and offer loyalty rewards to encourage repeat orders.