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.
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Whether you're looking to boost foot traffic, promote your off-premises services, or increase gift card sales, there are plenty of creative ways to help your restaurant shine. Here are seven marketing ideas to help your business take full advantage of Black Friday, Small Business Saturday, and Cyber Monday and make this holiday season a memorable one for your guests.

1. Create Limited-Time Deals and Discounts
Exclusive, limited-time promotions are perfect for attracting deal-seeking diners on Black Friday and Small Business Saturday. Consider “Buy One, Get One” deals, discounted appetizers, or a special discount for families and groups who reserve a table. A sense of urgency, combined with value-driven offers can motivate customers to choose your restaurant over others as they buzz through their favorite local shops.

A key solution that influences customers to choose your restaurant over a competitor is the flexibility and convenience your business can offer, especially during the busy shopping and holiday season. QR codes are an ultra-convenient way for restaurants to provide this extra layer of appeal. With very little effort from the restaurant, QR codes on mailers, signage, or to-go order packaging make it quick and easy for diners to view digital menus, promo cards (smart digital offers), place orders, and complete payments online with just a scan from their smartphone.

2. Promote Digital Gift Cards
Gift cards are a smart way to encourage spending, not only on Black Friday, Small Business Saturday, and Cyber Monday, but throughout the holiday season. Digital options, like QR code-accessible Masa+ Gift Cards, make great presents and offer flexibility for gift-givers. Sweeten the deal by offering a bonus gift card with purchases, like an extra $10 with a $50 gift card buy. This small incentive can go a long way in driving sales, as it gives customers added value while encouraging repeat visits.

Restaurants post QR codes on order packaging, napkins, and around their dining environment to provide a “scan-and-go” purchasing, reload, and redemption experience for Masa+ Gift Cards. As a Multi-Store solution, guests can buy and redeem their gift card credit at one or multiple store locations, providing enhanced flexibility to accommodate customers’ busy schedules.

Especially during the busy shopping and holiday season, QR codes are an ultra-convenient way for restaurants to provide an extra layer of appeal

3. Boost Visibility with Social Media Campaigns
Social media is a powerful tool for generating excitement around your restaurant’s holiday offerings. Post about your restaurant’s Black Friday, Small Business Saturday, and Cyber Monday deals well in advance using festive visuals of your menu or seasonal decor. Use popular hashtags like #BlackFridayDeals, #SmallBusinessSaturday, #CyberMonday and #[YourRestaurantName]. You could even create a contest where customers who share your post or tag your restaurant have a chance to win a meal or gift card, helping you reach new audiences and build a fun, engaging brand presence.

4. Emphasize Your Local Roots
Small Business Saturday is all about supporting local businesses, so share what makes your restaurant special to the community. Highlight partnerships with other local vendors, whether it’s a bakery that provides your pastries or a local brewery that supplies your craft beer. But don’t just tell customers how you support your community. Show them by using QR codes in collaborative and mutually beneficial cross-pollination advertising campaigns that encourage guests to enhance their dining experience or other purchase with products or services available at a discounted rate from another local business! This adds a personal touch, encourages local pride, and strengthens community ties, making customers feel great about supporting your restaurant.

Add a personal touch and encourage local pride

5. Theme Your Services and Experiences
Create a festive atmosphere and tone to make your services memorable for customers. Consider offering holiday-themed menu items or a seasonal tasting experience. Simple additions, like holiday decor, festive music, or creative names like “Black Friday Brunch,” “Small Biz Saturday Special,” or “Cyber Monday Savings” can make your restaurant feel like a holiday haven, enticing guests to place orders, linger, and return for future savings.

Aldelo Express supports multiple digital menu management tools that make creating and updating in-store and online menus a breeze. This includes real-time or scheduled menu changes, ideal for limited-time menus or special offers.

6. Send Out Email Invitations
If you have an email list, craft a campaign that highlights your Black Friday, Small Business Saturday, and Cyber Monday specials. Eye-catching visuals and clear calls to action – such as easy enrollment and initial offers for your Masa+ Loyalty Rewards program!! – make it easy for readers to see what’s on offer. Emails can drive a surprising amount of foot traffic and can reach regular customers who might not be active on social media, giving them a gentle reminder to stop by.

Don’t forget to include a link to your restaurant’s Masa+ Online Storefront! Here, customers can view restaurant info, available services, current offers, and digital menus that support vibrant images of food and drinks, encouraging them to place an order or keep your business in mind for future purchases!

7. Promote Cyber Monday Specials for Takeout, Curbside Pickup, and/or Delivery
Cyber Monday is all about scoring great savings online, so reach potential customers by promoting specials for your ultra-convenient takeout, curbside pickup, and delivery services that make it easy for guests to enjoy great food and drinks without losing time in a sit-down dining environment. Highlight any deals or discounts for these services and make it easy for customers to access your menu and place orders directly through your website or an app. Not only does Aldelo Express support all of these services with native modules and features, it also makes managing multiple services during the holiday season easier with a native Hold & Fire feature.

This Black Friday, Small Business Saturday, and Cyber Monday, restaurants have the chance to create meaningful experiences, boost sales, and strengthen community ties. By offering special deals, emphasizing local pride, and delivering a memorable dining experience, your restaurant can be a must-visit destination in the holiday rush.

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

Make it easy for guests to enjoy great food and drinks without losing time in a sit-down dining environment

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​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!


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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+ ...
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