Visiting PokeStops is an important part of gameplay, and when used correctly, can be like sticky flypaper for Pokemon trainers. The majority of PokeStops were determined by the game developer’s previous game “Ingress”, which had an element of identifying and describing landmarks. As a result, PokeStops appear more frequently at historic and scenic sites in highly-populated areas.

If your business is in close proximity of a PokeStop (you’ll know you’re close enough to access it if the blue cube turns into a spinning Pokeball), you’ve hit the jackpot. Players will naturally stop by your location to collect Pokestop rewards. However, you’ll need more than a drive-by to attract paying customers. That’s where lures come in.

Pokemon “Lure Modules” are a highly-coveted item that attract Pokemon for 30 minutes. Unlike incense, an item which attracts Pokemon directly to the player, Lure Modules are attached directly to a PokeStop and can be used by any player who visits the area. Rather than quickly passing through, setting up a Lure can encourage visitors to sit down and stay awhile. While some players collect Lures naturally through levelling up, they can also be purchased for “real money” from the Store tab. Once you set a Lure, draw your customers in with a sandwich board or social media.

If your business is nowhere near a PokeStop, you can request one to be added. Rumor has it that the waiting list for approvals is long, but there’s no harm in trying.

As a business, you can harness team pride by offering incentives and discounts for gym leaders. Pokemon Gyms are where trainers gain experience by sending their best Pokemon to fight against rival trainers. Once a player reaches level 5, they choose from one of three teams to pledge allegiance to. While there are no in-game differences between teams, the rivalry between team Mystic (blue), Instinct (yellow) and Valor (red) can be intense (think of it as Canucks vs. Flames, but with adorable mice tossing electricity at each other). Each gym can be claimed by one of three teams, with up to 10 players and their top Pokemon defending the throne.

To use this to your advantage, you can make Pokemon trainers feel at home (not to mention stir up some intense Pokebattles) by offering a 10 per cent discount to members of the nearest gym’s dominating team. Think of gym battles as sporting events: host team meetups (Go Team Valor), battle meetups, or team-themed specials.

Even if you’re not near a gym or PokeStop, it’s likely you’ll have a few Pokemon appearing in your business from time to time. Encourage Pokemon hunters by posting the best sightings on social media and encouraging your customers to do the same. Even if guests are more excited by Pikachu than your happy hour special, there’s nothing wrong with free advertising. Pokemon hunting at restaurants is already a hit in the U.S., with Red Robin taking the prize as the most popular restaurant for trainers.

There’s nothing more appealing to a trainer than the prospect of catching a rare Pokemon, so if you do spot one in your restaurant, make sure you share. For those of you who haven’t memorized all 150 Pokemon, this rarity chart will help you determine which Pokemon will excite trainers (hint: it’s not the purple rat or the bat one). Certain locations will also attract certain types of Pokemon (for example, waterfront locations are more likely to have water Pokemon, whereas parks tend to have more bug-type Pokemon), so if you notice a trend at your venue, get the word out.

Pokemon GO is a battery-drainer. In fact, there’s nothing more telling of a hardcore fan than a giant battery pack hanging off their phones. While it can be annoying to have customers constantly asking your staff to charge their phones, with a bit of creativity, you can embrace this as an opportunity. Try offering charge stations or battery packs for paying customers. It’s a guarantee that they’ll stay put, and a delightful gesture that can make a big difference for Pokemon players and non-players alike.