Leverage Food Holidays and Limited Time Offers to Fill Seats
There is a “food holiday” celebrating everything from the cheeseburger to caviar. For restaurant operators, aligning a food holiday with a Limited Time Offer (LTO) provides a creative way to engage with customers, test new menu items, and generate a bump in traffic.
LTOs are Effective
LTOs create a sense of urgency. They will only be available for a short time, and that exclusivity is effective at attracting new diners. Meanwhile, loyal customers will book a table at the risk of missing something new and exciting at their favorite restaurant. Add in a bit of marketing and LTOs can attract droves of customers on an otherwise slow day.
Experiment without Commitment
There are a range of culinary occasions to celebrate, and LTOs allow restaurants to experiment without committing to a permanent menu change. By switching up the menu and adding your spin to food holidays and social media trends, restaurants can maintain relevance while encouraging repeat visits.
Diners Like LTOs
Value is top of mind among consumers. LTOs and food holiday promotions are effective at keeping customers interested and can reinvigorate your business. According to Technomic, 52% of consumers consider the availability of Limited Time Offers crucial when choosing a restaurant.
Generate Foot Traffic
Any compelling offer starts with planning and preparation. Tie a food holiday to a LTO, BOGO, or digital coupon that makes sense for your business. Then, generate a buzz on social media and promote your offer through marketing emails and SMS messaging.
Remember, consumers need a reason to switch their ordinary routine and visit your restaurant. To help you attract more diners, here is a small selection of upcoming food holidays to leverage in Fall and Winter:
OCTOBER
October 1: National Vegetarian Day
October 6: National Noodle Day
October 21: National Apple Day
October 28: National Chocolate Day
NOVEMBER
November 3: National Sandwich Day
November 5: National Doughnut Day
November 14: National Pickle Day
November 26: National Cake Day
DECEMBER
December 4: National Cookie Day
December 14: National Bouillabaisse Day
December 17: National Maple Syrup Day
December 21: National Hamburger Day
