3-minute read ---

As the holiday season approaches, restaurants face a competitive market, especially in takeout, curbside pickup, and delivery services. A smart strategy that can help restaurants stand out is offering meal kits—pre-portioned, ready-to-cook ingredients with easy-to-follow online instructions accessible with a QR code scan. Meal kits not only provide convenience for customers but also offer restaurants a fresh way to boost their business and stand out during the busy holiday period. 

​Here’s how meal kits can give your restaurant the competitive edge:

1. Meet the Growing Demand for Convenience
Consumers, especially during the holidays, are looking for convenience. Between shopping, decorating, and traveling, many don't have the time to cook from scratch but still crave home-cooked meals. Meal kits strike the perfect balance, offering customers a taste of homemade food without the need for time-consuming planning, shopping, or preparation.

For instance, a barbecue restaurant could introduce a "Holiday Grill Kit" that features marinated meats, sauces, and sides. Customers can enjoy the fun of grilling at home while benefiting from the restaurant’s expertise in preparing the best ingredients. Plus, the kits could include special holiday-themed items, such as accompanying holiday mocktail recipes, to enhance the festive mood.

2. Enhance the At-Home Experience
With more people hosting holiday parties and small gatherings at home, offering individual or buffet/banquet sized portion meal kits gives your restaurant a way to be part of those special moments. Customers may want to serve high-quality, restaurant-style meals to their guests, and your meal kit could be the solution they need.

Imagine a restaurant offering a "DIY Holiday Feast" meal kit that includes turkey, stuffing, mashed potatoes, and gravy—all pre-prepared, but requiring minimal cooking at home. It allows customers to feel like chefs while still enjoying the flavors of their favorite restaurant. This helps position your business as not just a dining spot but also a partner in making their holiday celebrations stress-free and delicious.

3. Diversify Your Offerings
Meal kits are an excellent extension to traditional takeout and delivery menus. They offer customers the chance to recreate their favorite restaurant dishes at home, with all the convenience of having ingredients prepped and ready to go. As more consumers enjoy the comfort and satisfaction of cooking at home—without the hassle of grocery shopping—meal kits become a timely option, especially during the holiday season when people are hosting gatherings or looking for something different.

For example, a restaurant specializing in Italian cuisine could offer a "Holiday Pasta Kit" featuring fresh pasta, homemade sauces, and gourmet toppings. Customers not only get to enjoy a delicious meal but also engage in a cooking experience, which adds an extra layer of value.

4. Differentiate Your Brand in a Crowded Market
The holiday season is a peak time for takeout and delivery, but it’s also a highly competitive period. Every restaurant is offering promotions, limited-time offers, and special holiday menus. Offering meal kits gives you a unique selling point and differentiates your brand. It showcases your restaurant’s creativity and commitment to enhancing the customer experience.

For example, a farm-to-table restaurant could offer a seasonal meal kit featuring locally sourced ingredients, promoting sustainability and healthy eating during the holidays. This not only appeals to customers looking for quality but also taps into trends like supporting local farmers and eco-friendly dining.

5. Boost Profit Margins and Encourage Repeat Business
Meal kits also present an opportunity to increase revenue. Since they include premium ingredients and a fun experience, customers are often willing to pay a higher price than they would for a regular takeout meal. Additionally, offering subscriptions or holiday bundles can create a steady stream of revenue throughout the season.

By packaging your meal kits with special deals or promotions (such as including a digital gift card for future use), you can incentivize repeat business, ensuring that your customers keep coming back long after the holidays.

Enhance Your Holiday Offerings with Meal Kits and QR Code Services
Offering meal kits is a strategic way for restaurants to expand their takeout, curbside, and delivery services during the competitive holiday season. By providing a convenient, at-home experience that brings restaurant-quality food to customers' kitchens, you can differentiate your business and increase profitability, all while helping your customers create memorable meals.

QR code-based instructions make it easy to change your meal kits without spending time or money on printing physical instructions. Plus, hosting the instructions on your website is a great gateway to your restaurant’s Masa+ Digital Menus, Online Ordering portal, Loyalty Rewards, and e-Gift Card purchases.

Restaurants using Masa+ Loyalty Rewards can easily incentivize customers to purchase holiday meal kits by pairing these kits with discounts with a purchase or on a future visit.

Learn more by contacting an Aldelo representative today at [email protected] or 925-621-2410

---

​
​
​​
​Restaurants that use ultra-competitive
Aldelo Pay or Aldelo Partner Merchant Services
obtain access to
a Centralized Multi-Store Restaurant Technology Platform
that includes Masa+ Online Ordering,
Unlimited Software Releases,
​Unlimited Software Upgrades, and 24/7 Technical Support!


***

Please contact an Aldelo representative today for more details, 
including a free Aldelo Express POS demo trial

[email protected] | 877-639-8767 | [email protected]

Learn More About Aldelo Express and Masa+ ...
​

Elevating Sit-Down Dining Experiences
with Masa+ QR Code Self-Order and Fast Pay

3-minute read ---
QR codes are now a part of everyday experiences. Whether to learn more information from a website, view an instructional video, or quickly access a restaurant menu, QR codes are the fastest bridge between the physical and digital worlds. They offer an unparalleled speed and convenience that closes the gap between casual interest and profitable action. Masa+, powered by Aldelo Express, offers modern restaurants multiple valuable QR code solutions that empower customers to streamline and enhance their dining experiences, and increase profits. With QR Code Self-Order and Fast Pay capabilities, restaurants can streamline operations, boost efficiency, and exceed customer expectations. Here’s how these features transform dining experiences for both customers and restaurant operators.

Read More

How to Promote Your Restaurant on Black Friday,
Small Business Saturday, and Cyber Monday
Aldelo Express Offers Unparalleled Solutions for Managing
​E2E In-Store and Off-Premises Services

3-minute read ---
With the holiday shopping season about to kick into high gear, Black Friday, Small Business Saturday, and Cyber Monday (the Friday, Saturday, and Monday after Thanksgiving) present exciting opportunities for restaurants to attract new patrons and show appreciation to loyal customers. These three days are more than just major shopping events—they’re a chance for your restaurant to stand out, bring in customers looking for great deals, and tap into the community spirit that encourages people to shop local.

Read More