3-minute read ---

August is packed with quirky, delicious, and downright fun observances that restaurant owners can leverage to market their restaurant, bar, or food truck. From National Sandwich Month to National Eat Outside Day, these days offer a golden opportunity to showcase menus, engage hungry customers, and boost bottom lines. Let’s dive into how restaurant owners can make the most of these August celebrations with actionable tips tailored for modern businesses.

National Sandwich Month
Who doesn’t love a good sandwich? August rolls out the red carpet for this handheld classic, giving restaurants a full month to celebrate its versatility and universal appeal. The entire month of August is dedicated to celebrating sandwiches in all their glory, grilled, stacked, toasted, or pressed.
​Marketing Tips:

• Menu Spotlight: Create a “Sandwich of the Day” feature with a new creation every week, or even daily! Think outside the box with combos like a spicy chicken waffle sandwich or a vegan BBQ jackfruit melt.
• Loyalty Perk: Offer a punch card deal! Buy five sandwiches throughout the month, get the sixth free. It’s a simple way to keep customers coming back.

International Mahjong Day: August 1
Originating in China, Mahjong has captivated players worldwide with its strategic tile-matching fun. August 1 celebrates this cultural gem, making it a unique hook for social gatherings. A nod to the classic tile-based game, this day isn’t food-specific but can be a fun tie-in for bars or restaurants with a social vibe.
Marketing Tips:

• Game Night: Host a Mahjong-themed evening with discounted drinks or appetizers for players. Partner with a local game group to teach newcomers.
• Themed Cocktails: Create a Mahjong-inspired drink menu, such as “Tile Stack Spritz” or “Dragon’s Breath Martini.”

National Watermelon Day: August 3
Nothing screams summer like a juicy slice of watermelon. August 3 is all about this refreshing fruit, a staple at picnics and barbecues everywhere.
Marketing Tips:

• Specials: Offer watermelon-infused cocktails, mocktails, or a chilled watermelon gazpacho. For dessert, try watermelon sorbet or a fruit salad with a twist.
• Food Truck Idea: Hand out free small slices of watermelon to draw diners in, then upsell with snacks, refreshing drinks, or a full meal.

National Chocolate Chip Cookie Day: August 4
Warm, gooey, and studded with chocolate chips, this cookie has a special place in our hearts. August 4 honors the timeless treat that’s been a bakery staple since the 1930s.
​Marketing Tips:

• Giveaway: Offer a free mini chocolate chip cookie with every order, or a full-sized one for larger purchases.
• Pairing Deal: Bundle cookies with coffee, milkshakes, or a stout beer for a bar twist.

National Root Beer Float Day: August 6
Picture this: fizzy root beer meets creamy vanilla ice cream. August 6 celebrates this nostalgic dessert-drink hybrid that’s been cooling us off since the late 19th century.
Marketing Tips:

• Happy Hour Special: Discount root beer floats during a slow afternoon slot to boost traffic.
• Kids’ Appeal: Promote a family-friendly deal! Buy an entrée, get a kid’s float free.

National Pickleball Day: August 8
Born in the 1960s, pickleball has exploded into a beloved sport blending tennis, badminton, and ping-pong. August 8 celebrates its rise, appealing to active folks of all ages. A nod to the fast-growing paddle sport that is not food-related, but a great tie-in for active crowds.
Marketing Tips:

• Post-Game Hangout: Partner with a local pickleball club and offer a “Player’s Special” (e.g., discounted sliders or beers) for anyone who shows up with a paddle.
• Themed Dish: Serve a “Pickleball Platter” with pickle spears, fried pickles, and a tangy dipping sauce.

National Passion Fruit Day: August 9
With its tart, tropical flavor, passion fruit brings a taste of the exotic to any dish. August 9 shines a spotlight on this vibrant fruit, perfect for summer menus.
Marketing Tips:

• Drink Feature: Blend passion fruit into margaritas, mojitos, or a non-alcoholic spritzer.
• Dessert Debut: Launch a limited-time passion fruit cheesecake, mousse, or sorbet.

National Sons and Daughters Day: August 11
Family is everything, and August 11 is a heartfelt day to honor the bond between parents and their kids. It’s a perfect excuse to bring families out to dine.
​Marketing Tips:

• Family Deal: Roll out a “Family Feast” package, offering discounted meals for parents dining with their kids.
• Kids Eat Free: Offer a free kids’ meal or dessert with an adult entrée purchase.

National Fajita Day: August 18
A sizzling celebration of grilled meats, veggies, and tortillas. Sizzling, smoky, and packed with flavor, fajitas have roots in Tex-Mex cuisine that date back to the 1930s. August 18 is a great chance to fire up the grill and celebrate with National Fajita Day.
Marketing Tips:

• Sizzlin’ Special: Discount fajita platters or offer a “build-your-own” option with extra toppings.
• Food Truck Stunt: Fire up the grill outside the food truck and let the aroma draw in crowds.

National Ice Cream Pie Day: August 18
Cool, creamy, and oh-so-decadent, ice cream pie is a dessert lover’s dream. August 18 gives restaurants a sweet reason to indulge customers’ cravings.
Marketing Tips:

• Slice Special: Sell slices at a discount or offer a whole pie for takeout.
• Flavor Twist: Experiment with specialty flavors like peanut butter chocolate or key lime.

World Plant Milk Day: August 22
As plant-based diets gain traction, August 22 celebrates the rise of milk alternatives like oat, almond, and coconut. It’s a nod to sustainability and modern tastes.
Marketing Tips:

• Vegan Push: Promote plant-based lattes, smoothies, or desserts using oat or almond milk.
• Menu Add-On: Offer a free plant milk upgrade for any coffee or cocktail order.

National Waffle Day: August 24
Crispy on the outside, fluffy within, waffles have been a breakfast favorite since the Middle Ages. August 24 marks their delicious legacy.
Marketing Tips:

• Sweet & Savory: Feature both dessert waffles (e.g., hazelnut spread and berries) and savory ones (e.g., fried chicken and waffles).
• Brunch Event: Host a waffle brunch with a toppings bar with whipped cream, bacon, or hot sauce.

National Banana Split Day: August 25
A scoop of ice cream, a banana, and a pile of toppings, the banana split got its start in 1904. August 25 is all about this indulgent classic.
Marketing Tips:

• Shareable Size: Promote a jumbo split for groups, perfect for social media pics.
• Bar Twist: Add a rum drizzle or coffee liqueur for an adult spin.

National Peach Day: August 27
Juicy, sweet, and peak-season in summer, peaches are a Southern staple turned national treasure. August 27 celebrates their golden goodness.
Marketing Tips:

• Peach Party: Feature peach cobbler, peach salsa with chips, or a peach Bellini.
• Farmers’ Market Tie-In: Source local peaches and tell the story on social media.

National Lemon Juice Day: August 29
Tart, bright, and endlessly versatile, lemon juice is a kitchen MVP. August 29 gives this citrus star its moment in the sun.
Marketing Tips:

• Drink Special: Push lemonade (spiked or not), lemon drop martinis, or a lemon-infused iced tea.
• Dessert Feature: Roll out lemon bars, lemon meringue pie, or a citrus sorbet.

National Eat Outside Day: August 31
With summer winding down, August 31 encourages everyone to savor a meal under the open sky. It’s a call to enjoy nature and good food together.
Marketing Tips:

• Patio Push: Spruce up outdoor seating and offer a discount for dining outside.
• Picnic Pack: Sell takeout “picnic boxes” with sandwiches, snacks, and a drink.

National Trail Mix Day: August 31
Born as a hiker’s fuel, trail mix combines nuts, seeds, and sweets into a portable snack. August 31 honors its crunchy legacy.
Marketing Tips:

• Grab-and-Go: Package trail mix bags for quick sales at the counter or truck window.
• Pairing Idea: Offer a trail mix dessert (e.g., trail mix brownies) or a beer flight to match.

General Strategies to Tie It All Together

1. Plan Ahead: Create a calendar with these dates and brainstorm specials a month in advance. Share teasers on social media to build anticipation.
2. Leverage Social Media: Post daily about each holiday with vibrant photos, customer shoutouts, and hashtags like #NationalWaffleDay or #EatOutsideDay.
3. Collaborate Locally: Partner with nearby businesses (e.g., a bakery for Chocolate Chip Cookie Day) to cross-promote.
4. Engage Staff: Get the team excited, they’ll sell the specials better if they’re in on the fun.
5. Track Results: Note which promotions drive the most traffic or sales so operators can refine their approach for next August.

August offers multiple great opportunities to turn quirky food holidays into profit and buzz for restaurants, bars, or food trucks. Whether slinging sandwiches all month or hosting a waffle brunch, these ideas can help menus stand out, delight customers, and keep them coming back for more.

Supercharge Dining Services with QR Codes
To supercharge August food holiday promotions, consider integrating Masa+ QR code solutions into your marketing strategy. With Masa+, operators can set up attractive digital menus accessible via QR codes, making it easy for customers to explore daily specials, like a National Fajita Day platter or a boozy Root Beer Float, right from their phones. Pair this with a QR-driven loyalty rewards program to keep diners coming back.

Plus, Masa+ enables seamless e-gift card purchases and redemption, perfect for gifting on National Sons and Daughters Day or enticing new customers with a quick scan. By blending these tech-savvy tools with holiday-themed efforts, merchants can streamline operations, boost engagement, and give their restaurant, bar, or food truck a modern edge that keeps the crowds buzzing all month long.

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

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Please contact an Aldelo representative today for more details, 
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