3-minute read ---

May is filled with unique opportunities for restaurants to attract customers with creative promotions and themed events. Here’s how to leverage key dates to boost sales and engagement by attracting customers with charming celebrations and commemorations in May 2025:

Small Business Week – First Week of May
Celebrate the spirit of entrepreneurship by engaging with your local community and fellow small businesses.

• Showcase your own small business story – Share your restaurant’s history or origin story on social media, or with a photo history wall in your restaurant
• Support other small businesses – Offer discounts for customers who show recent receipts from small businesses in your immediate surroundings
• Cross-promotions – Partner with nearby stores for joint deals over the course of small business week

National Play Outside Day – May 3
Encourage your guests to embrace the great outdoors by offering fun dining environments outside. 

• Outdoor dining specials – Offer discounts for patio seating or outdoor picnics
• Lawn games & live music – Create a fun, family-friendly experience
• Food truck promotions – Take your restaurant mobile to local parks

National Self-Employed Day – May 4
Recognize the hard work of freelancers and other entrepreneurs with a welcoming space and great deals on National Self-Employed Day. 

• Freelancer-friendly environment – Promote your public workspaces with free Wi-Fi, discounts, and early bird (or night owl) hours
• Lunch & Work deals – Provide meal discounts for self-employed patrons who present a business card

National Star Wars Day – May 4
“May the Fourth be with you!” Star Wars fans love celebrating with themed fun—bring them to your restaurant! 

• Costume discounts – Reward customers who dress up, take a picture at your restaurant, post it on social media, and tag your restaurant
• Social media contest – Engage your social networks by offering a unique Promo Card to the owner of the most liked photo

National Military Spouse Appreciation Day – May 9
Show gratitude to military spouses for their strength and sacrifices with special offerings. 

• Military spouse discounts – Show appreciation with special pricing
• Community partnerships – Collaborate with veteran organizations

Mother’s Day – May 11
One of the biggest dining-out holidays of the year—make moms feel extra special! 

• Brunch specials – Offer a curated Mother’s Day menu
• Early reservations – Encourage bookings with Loyalty Rewards or Promo Card incentives
• Personalized touches – Give mothers complimentary desserts or drinks

American Craft Beer Week – Second Full Week in May
Beer lovers rejoice during this annual celebration—make your restaurant a craft beer destination. 

• Beer pairing menus – Feature local craft beer pairings
• Discounted beer flights – Attract beer enthusiasts with tasting options
• Brewery collaborations – Host tasting events with local brewers

World Baking Day – May 18
Shine a spotlight on your baked goods or partner with local bakers for a special treat. 

• Limited-time pastry menu – Highlight baked goods
• Fresh-baked breads – Emphasize your sandwiches, soups, and pizzas

National No Dirty Dishes Day – May 18
Encourage your guests to take a break from cooking and enjoy a mess-free meal from your restaurant. 

• Takeout & delivery promotions – Make dining at home easy and mess-free
• Family meal bundles – Encourage group orders for springtime gatherings

Brothers Day – May 24
Celebrate brotherhood with great food, drinks, and social media engagement. 

• Bro’s Night Out specials – Discounts on wings, beers, or shared platters
• Social media engagement – Encourage guests to share photos with their siblings

Memorial Day – May 26
Honor this national holiday with patriotic-themed promotions and community support. 

• BBQ & patriotic-themed dishes – Offer seasonal specials
• “Buy One, Give One” meal promo – Support veteran organizations

Final Thoughts
May offers countless opportunities to engage customers and enhance sales through themed events. Whether it's a Star Wars-themed menu or a heartfelt Mother’s Day brunch, creative marketing can make a big impact.

As restaurants prepare for May’s marketing opportunities, incorporating Masa+ solutions helps streamline operations, enhance customer convenience, and boost profitability:

• Masa+ QR Code-Activated Online Ordering – Easily print unique QR codes at each table, countertop seat, or outdoor patio table to enable location-specific online ordering.
• Masa+ Scan & Pay – Customers scan a QR code on printed receipts to securely pay from their smartphone, reducing closeout wait times and improving table turnover.
• Masa+ QR Code Fast Pay – Presenting a single-use QR code from the customer’s Masa+ Secure Wallet enables secure, contactless payments, enhancing transaction speed and security from tablet POS terminals.
• Masa+ Multi-Store Physical & Digital Gift Cards – Encourage repeat visits and increase revenue with convenient, shareable gift card options.
• Masa+ Loyalty Rewards & Promo Cards – Reward customer loyalty and drive engagement with customizable promotions and discounts.
• Masa+ Coupons & Digital Wallets – Simplify transactions and incentivize purchases with easy-to-use digital offers and stored payment options.

By reducing staff workload and increasing efficiency, Masa+ solutions help restaurants serve more guests, enhance customer satisfaction, and maximize revenue during high-traffic events.

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]

How to Manage Custom Food and Drinks ​with Aldelo Express
Fully Customizable Menu Management In-Store and
​Online with a Built-In Matrix Module

3-minute read ---
A deciding factor for many customers today is the ability to customize their food and drink orders. Customization may be the key for gaining regular customers and long-term loyalty, whether they are building their own burrito, customizing a sandwich, or selecting ingredients for a milk tea or coffee drink. To keep up with these demands while maintaining efficiency and accuracy, restaurant owners need a point-of-sale (POS) system that can handle complex and highly customizable menu items with ease.

Learn More

Expand and Promote Your ​Spring and Summer Drink Menu
Attract More Customers with Cool and Refreshing Beverage Offerings

3-minute read ---
As the weather warms up, May is an ideal time to refresh your beverage offerings. From iced coffees to tropical cocktails, expanding your spring and summer drink menu can boost customer engagement and increase sales. Aldelo Express offers Masa+ Promo Cards, Gift Cards, Online Storefronts, and Loyalty Rewards that your restaurant can use to easily promote seasonal beverages and enhance customer loyalty.

Learn More