The holidays are a busy time of year, which is why more and more families are beginning to dine out when Thanksgiving and Christmas roll around.
If you’re a restaurant owner, this gives you a unique opportunity to offer up a holiday menu via your different marketing methods.
Here are just a few ways you can market your restaurant as a delicious holiday destination….
Spread the Word Ahead of Time
Although dining out on Thanksgiving and Christmas is beginning to catch on, not all families immediately think to do so. That’s why it’s important to start marketing your restaurant as a holiday destination before the holidays actually roll around.
National chains such as Cracker Barrel, Boston Market, and Ruby Tuesdays typically all serve on Thanksgiving.
In order to get hungry customers on their radar, these restaurants start marketing their Thanksgiving hours in early to mid-October.
If your restaurant wants to grab the attention of holiday patrons, then you need to unleash your marketing campaigns well ahead of time.
Don’t wait until there’s only a week or so before the actual holiday – most families will already have their holiday meal plans in place by then.
Offer up Holiday Recipes
It may sound counterintuitive, but your restaurant can also offer up holiday recipes in its marketing campaigns.
As the following article looks at, everyone is looking for ways to make the holidays better with delicious worry-free meals.
By offering up some of your own, you’ll draw attention to your restaurant.
Just make sure you include a call to action with your recipes that mentions the fact your restaurant serves dinner on Thanksgiving and Christmas day.
When customers see this, they’ll immediately reconsider their meal plans and set their sights on your restaurant. It’s a recipe for success!
Put Your Menu in the Spotlight
No matter which marketing route you take, make sure you put your holiday menu in the spotlight.
Whether you’re serving traditional holiday foods like turkey and stuffing or you’re offering a less-traditional menu, putting your menu front and center is beneficial for a number of reasons.
Not only will showcasing your menu in your marketing campaigns make your customers’ mouths water, it will also help them make their dining decision.
Just make sure your menu includes a few dishes that your audience normally wouldn’t find in a homemade meal.
Offer Family Discounts
The holidays are a time for family and offering a family discount at your restaurant will help get customers in the door. This is especially the case for families who are on the fence about dining out on Thanksgiving and Christmas.
Whether you offer free buffet meals for kids or an overall discount for families of certain sizes, the right incentive will increase patronage at your restaurant over the holidays.
Using social media to share your discounts and promotions is a wise move, especially considering Facebook and Instagram usage skyrockets over the holidays.
Mention the Benefits of Dining Out
Last but not least, make sure you mention all the benefits of dining out in your marketing campaigns.
Mentioning that no one has to clean any dishes or do any grocery shopping is a huge advantage when entertaining holiday guests. Likewise, hint at the fact that dining out gives home cooks more time to spend with their families.
If you’re going to market your restaurant as a holiday venue, don’t forget the marketing pointers mentioned above.
About the Author: Adam Groff is a freelance writer and creator of content. He writes on a variety of topics including restaurant marketing and meal preparation.
