3-minute read ---

January and February are packed with opportunities for restaurants to engage with guests, drive traffic, and create memorable experiences. By tapping into national observances, sports events, and unique celebrations, restaurants can reach guests in fun and creative ways that go beyond the usual promotions. Here’s how to leverage these upcoming events and holidays to kickstart your marketing efforts in 2025—and how QR codes can make it all seamless, convenient, and interactive.

January 1 - New Year’s Day  
Marketing Tip: Celebrate New Beginnings

1. Host a “New Year, New Menu” Event – Start the year with a few new menu items or limited-time specials that appeal to New Year’s resolutions, like healthy dishes or plant-based options.
2. Offer a Special Brunch – Promote a cozy, celebratory brunch for families, couples, and groups to start the year with a positive experience.
3. Loyalty Program Push – Roll out a new loyalty program or offer a New Year’s discount for those who join, creating excitement about dining with you in 2025.

​Enhance with QR Codes  
Place QR codes at each table or on your menus to introduce guests to your “New Year, New Menu” offerings and loyalty program details. With a quick scan, customers can learn more about the new dishes and sign up for your loyalty program instantly. This simple feature keeps them engaged and sets the tone for a customer-friendly, tech-forward experience right from the first day of the year.

January 4 - National Trivia Day
Marketing Tip: Host a Trivia Night

1. Plan a Trivia-Themed Event – Host a trivia night on January 4 with topics like pop culture, food, or local history to bring in groups looking for a social night out.
2. Social Media Engagement – Post trivia questions related to your restaurant or city on social media. Offer rewards for correct answers to build engagement and excitement.
3. Reward with Discounts – Encourage customers to show off their trivia knowledge with discounts or prizes, such as a free drink, appetizer, or dessert for participating.

​Enhance with QR Codes  
Place a “Scan Here for Trivia!” QR code on each table that links to live trivia questions or a mini-game, where customers can answer questions directly on their phones. This not only keeps guests entertained but also encourages friendly competition. Winners can then show their phones to claim small rewards or discounts, making the experience interactive and memorable.

January 9 - National Law Enforcement Appreciation Day  
Marketing Tip: Show Appreciation to Law Enforcement

1. Offer Discounts or Freebies – Offer a special discount or complimentary meal for local law enforcement officers and veterans to show your support.
2. Host a Community Event – Consider a morning coffee or breakfast event for local law enforcement, sharing it on social media to highlight community values.
3. Partner with a Charity – Host a fundraiser or donation drive in support of local law enforcement causes, like scholarship funds or family support programs.

​Enhance with QR Codes
Post QR code stickers or signage at the entrance and on table tent cards, allowing guests to easily purchase an e-Gift Card to partner with the restaurant in donating to a local law enforcement-related charity or other community outreach program. This not only demonstrates your restaurant’s commitment to supporting community causes but also makes it easy for patrons to participate and contribute.

January 14 - National Dress Up Your Pet Day  
Marketing Tip: Encourage Pet-Friendly Fun

1. Pet Costume Contest – Invite guests to bring their pets in costume for a chance to win a gift card or pet-themed treat. Post photos on social media and tag participants.
2. Offer Pet Treats or Goodies – If your restaurant has outdoor seating, set out bowls of water and pet treats to welcome four-legged guests.
3. Feature Pets on Social Media – Create a “Pet Wall of Fame” online for customers to share their dressed-up pets, encouraging them to share photos.

​Enhance with QR Codes
Place QR codes at outdoor seating areas where customers can view food and drinks before placing their order online. Consider offering discounts to customers who post a photo on their social media and tag your restaurant, creating community engagement and making your restaurant a go-to spot for pet-loving customers.

January 20 - National Use Your Gift Card Day  
Marketing Tip: Promote Gift Card Redemptions and Sales

1. Double Value Deals – Encourage gift card redemptions by offering a bonus on each card used that day, bringing in new customers and helping clear card balances.
2. Gift Card Push – Remind customers that gift cards are ideal gifts and offer a bonus card with purchases over a set amount.
3. Loyalty Incentives – Offer loyalty points for customers using gift cards, giving them an extra reason to visit.

Enhance with QR Codes
Place QR codes at the register and on each table for easy access to gift card balance checks, reloads, first-time purchases, or redemptions. This simple addition saves guests time and offers a smooth, contactless way to purchase and use digital gift cards, which is especially appealing to busy diners.

January 23-25 - Winter X Games (Aspen, Colorado, USA)
Marketing Tip: Create a Viewing Experience

1. Stream the Games Live – Stream the Winter X Games and create a cozy viewing area with winter-themed specials like hot cocoa cocktails and hearty comfort foods.
2. X-Games Specials – Name limited-time menu items after popular winter sports in the games.
3. Social Media Contests – Engage fans by asking them to predict winners or share photos watching the X Games at your restaurant, offering prizes for participation.

​Enhance with QR Codes
Place QR codes on bar countertops or table stickers that direct customers to your online storefront. There guests can access limited-time promo cards (smart digital offers), earn rewards for specific purchases, or begin placing orders for food and drinks. This adds an interactive layer to the dining and/or watch-party experience.

January 31 - March 15, 2025 - Six Nations Rugby Union  
Marketing Tip: Target Rugby Fans

1. Rugby Watch Parties – Rugby is big in Europe, so host live screenings for fans of the Six Nations matches.
2. Rugby-Themed Menu Items – Feature dishes inspired by the countries competing (England, France, Ireland, Italy, Scotland, and Wales), such as English pub snacks or French wines.
3. Team Spirit Discounts – Offer discounts for guests who wear team colors, building excitement and camaraderie among fans.

​Enhance with QR Codes
Add QR codes on table tent cards to provide easy access to your online menu. Let customers drive their own dining experiences while they watch the match, without the need to flag down a server to place orders or complete payments. This not only improves customer experiences, but eliminates delays in service times and allows wait staff to focus on fostering a welcoming and vibrant atmosphere.

By incorporating QR codes into your event-based promotions, you can deliver a seamless, tech-friendly experience that keeps guests engaged throughout their dining experience. These small additions will make your restaurant the go-to destination for seasonal celebrations and sports events, creating memorable experiences that bring customers back throughout the year.

​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, 
including a free Aldelo Express POS demo trial

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

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