3-minute read ---
Restaurant owners must think creatively to keep their takeout, pickup, and delivery services thriving. One untapped opportunity lies in the growing popularity of at-home watch parties—those cozy, social gatherings where friends and family come together for a big game, a blockbuster movie, or the latest must-watch series. Food is the unspoken star of these events, and by marketing your services as the perfect companion to these occasions, you can boost sales and build a loyal customer base. Here’s how to make it happen with seven actionable strategies.
1. Design Watch Party Bundles
The foundation of this approach is offering takeout and delivery packages tailored to groups. Move beyond individual meals and create bundles that feed 4, 6, or 10 people with a variety of fan-favorite items. Imagine a “Game Day Blowout” with nachos, wings, mini burgers, and a side of onion rings, or a “Movie Night Kit” featuring pizza, garlic knots, and a tray of cookies. Price these bundles competitively to emphasize value, and market them as the ultimate solution for hosts who want to enjoy the show without cooking or cleaning. Promote them prominently on your website, social media, and delivery apps to catch customers’ eyes.
The foundation of this approach is offering takeout and delivery packages tailored to groups. Move beyond individual meals and create bundles that feed 4, 6, or 10 people with a variety of fan-favorite items. Imagine a “Game Day Blowout” with nachos, wings, mini burgers, and a side of onion rings, or a “Movie Night Kit” featuring pizza, garlic knots, and a tray of cookies. Price these bundles competitively to emphasize value, and market them as the ultimate solution for hosts who want to enjoy the show without cooking or cleaning. Promote them prominently on your website, social media, and delivery apps to catch customers’ eyes.
2. Sync with Trending Events
Timing can make or break your marketing efforts. Stay ahead by aligning your promotions with major entertainment moments such as the MLB All-Stars Game or the season finale of a trending TV show. Offer limited-time specials tied to these events, such as a “7th Inning Snack Pack” for baseball fans or a “Red Carpet Deal” with gourmet appetizers. Send out email reminders or post countdowns on social media to encourage customers to schedule orders in advance, helping your restaurant become a go-to for watch party planning.
Timing can make or break your marketing efforts. Stay ahead by aligning your promotions with major entertainment moments such as the MLB All-Stars Game or the season finale of a trending TV show. Offer limited-time specials tied to these events, such as a “7th Inning Snack Pack” for baseball fans or a “Red Carpet Deal” with gourmet appetizers. Send out email reminders or post countdowns on social media to encourage customers to schedule orders in advance, helping your restaurant become a go-to for watch party planning.
3. Leverage Social Media Engagement
Turn your customers into your biggest advocates by inspiring them to share their watch party experiences featuring your food. Create a catchy, branded hashtag like #TasteTheParty or #[Restaurant Name]WatchNight and invite customers to post photos or videos of their setups on social platforms. Sweeten the deal with an incentive: “Tag us with your watch party spread for a chance to win a $25 gift card!” You could even host a monthly contest where the best photo wins a free group appetizer or discount. This user-generated content amplifies your reach and builds organic online excitement around your brand.
Turn your customers into your biggest advocates by inspiring them to share their watch party experiences featuring your food. Create a catchy, branded hashtag like #TasteTheParty or #[Restaurant Name]WatchNight and invite customers to post photos or videos of their setups on social platforms. Sweeten the deal with an incentive: “Tag us with your watch party spread for a chance to win a $25 gift card!” You could even host a monthly contest where the best photo wins a free group appetizer or discount. This user-generated content amplifies your reach and builds organic online excitement around your brand.
4. Include Fun, Thematic Extras
Elevate your takeout from a meal to a memory by adding small, thoughtful extras. Slip in movie trivia cards, printable scorecards for sports nights, or a QR code linking to an exclusive promo card (smart digital offer) for a future discount. For example, a “Horror Movie Marathon” order could come with spooky cocktail recipes, while a “Superhero Night” bundle might include comic-style branded coasters. These low-cost additions make your service stand out and give customers a reason to talk about you. Highlight these perks in your marketing materials to entice orders.
Elevate your takeout from a meal to a memory by adding small, thoughtful extras. Slip in movie trivia cards, printable scorecards for sports nights, or a QR code linking to an exclusive promo card (smart digital offer) for a future discount. For example, a “Horror Movie Marathon” order could come with spooky cocktail recipes, while a “Superhero Night” bundle might include comic-style branded coasters. These low-cost additions make your service stand out and give customers a reason to talk about you. Highlight these perks in your marketing materials to entice orders.
5. Distribute with In-House Delivery Services
Maximize your visibility by promoting your in-house delivery services with QR code-accessible online delivery menus or ordering, printed on flyers, order packaging, or paper napkins. Promote exclusive watch party promotions, such as free delivery on orders over $50 or 10% off bundles booked through your online storefront. These deals can attract new customers who prioritize convenience during their watch party gatherings. Cross-promote these offers on your own channels to ensure that both regulars and first-timers know about the perks.
Maximize your visibility by promoting your in-house delivery services with QR code-accessible online delivery menus or ordering, printed on flyers, order packaging, or paper napkins. Promote exclusive watch party promotions, such as free delivery on orders over $50 or 10% off bundles booked through your online storefront. These deals can attract new customers who prioritize convenience during their watch party gatherings. Cross-promote these offers on your own channels to ensure that both regulars and first-timers know about the perks.
6. Offer Customizable Options
Give customers control by letting them build their own watch party packages. Set up an exclusive online ordering combo where they can mix and match items, picking three appetizers, two entrees, and a dessert for a combo rate. This flexibility appeals to diverse tastes and dietary needs, making your restaurant a versatile choice for any group. Market this feature as “Your Party, Your Way” to emphasize personalization, and watch it become a hit with indecisive hosts.
Give customers control by letting them build their own watch party packages. Set up an exclusive online ordering combo where they can mix and match items, picking three appetizers, two entrees, and a dessert for a combo rate. This flexibility appeals to diverse tastes and dietary needs, making your restaurant a versatile choice for any group. Market this feature as “Your Party, Your Way” to emphasize personalization, and watch it become a hit with indecisive hosts.
7. Provide Watch Party Hosting Tips
Position your restaurant as a helpful resource by including a simple “Watch Party Hosting Guide” with every order. This could be a printed flyer or a digital QR code-activated link with tips like setting up a snack station, pairing your dishes with drinks, or arranging seating for optimal viewing. For example, suggest serving your sliders buffet-style or chilling your desserts until halftime. This added value enhances the customer experience, reinforces your brand as party-friendly, and subtly encourages repeat orders for future events. Promote this perk as a free bonus to set yourself apart.
Position your restaurant as a helpful resource by including a simple “Watch Party Hosting Guide” with every order. This could be a printed flyer or a digital QR code-activated link with tips like setting up a snack station, pairing your dishes with drinks, or arranging seating for optimal viewing. For example, suggest serving your sliders buffet-style or chilling your desserts until halftime. This added value enhances the customer experience, reinforces your brand as party-friendly, and subtly encourages repeat orders for future events. Promote this perk as a free bonus to set yourself apart.
Final Thoughts
Marketing your takeout, pickup, and delivery services around at-home watch parties isn’t just about selling food—it’s about selling a vibe. By focusing on convenience, fun, and connection, you can transform your offerings into the centerpiece of customers’ entertainment plans. Start with one or two ideas, gauge what clicks with your audience, and scale up from there. With the right approach, your restaurant could become synonymous with unforgettable nights in. Don’t forget to use QR code-activated services to make your watch party plans easy and ultra-convenient:
Marketing your takeout, pickup, and delivery services around at-home watch parties isn’t just about selling food—it’s about selling a vibe. By focusing on convenience, fun, and connection, you can transform your offerings into the centerpiece of customers’ entertainment plans. Start with one or two ideas, gauge what clicks with your audience, and scale up from there. With the right approach, your restaurant could become synonymous with unforgettable nights in. Don’t forget to use QR code-activated services to make your watch party plans easy and ultra-convenient:
- QR code Online Ordering
- QR code Multi-Store Loyalty Rewards program
- QR code eGift Card with multi-store purchase, earning, and redemption
- QR Code Promo Card (Smart Digital Offer)
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