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As the holiday season approaches, Thanksgiving offers an excellent opportunity for restaurants to boost sales and engage customers. While many people associate Thanksgiving with home-cooked meals, there's a growing trend of dining out for special occasions or grabbing seasonal takeout. To tap into this, restaurants can implement strategic marketing ideas that build excitement and attract more guests building up to the festive holiday. By incorporating creative food and drink items, rolling out weekly promotions, and hosting special events, restaurants can capture the attention of diners during the Thanksgiving season and keep them coming back throughout the winter holidays.
Creative Thanksgiving Menus
Thanksgiving is all about tradition, but that doesn't mean restaurant owners can't get creative with their menu. One of the easiest ways to stand out is by offering limited-time dishes and drinks that put a fun, contemporary twist on holiday classics. Naming these items with catchy, seasonal titles can make them more memorable and shareable on social media, giving the restaurant extra online exposure.
For example, offer a "Turkey Cranberry Smash" sandwich or a "Pumpkin Spice Latte Martini" to give familiar flavors a fresh twist. Consider creating a signature dessert like "Grandma's Pecan Pie Sundae" or a "Spiced Sweet Potato Cheesecake." These specialty items not only add variety to the menu but also help drive a sense of urgency, encouraging guests to try them before they’re gone.
Take advantage of local or regional holiday favorites by including them in restaurant specials. Adding a creative backstory or an unexpected flavor combination can make these items more appealing. Customers love trying something new that still evokes the warm, comforting feelings of gathering with loved ones on Thanksgiving.
Thanksgiving is all about tradition, but that doesn't mean restaurant owners can't get creative with their menu. One of the easiest ways to stand out is by offering limited-time dishes and drinks that put a fun, contemporary twist on holiday classics. Naming these items with catchy, seasonal titles can make them more memorable and shareable on social media, giving the restaurant extra online exposure.
For example, offer a "Turkey Cranberry Smash" sandwich or a "Pumpkin Spice Latte Martini" to give familiar flavors a fresh twist. Consider creating a signature dessert like "Grandma's Pecan Pie Sundae" or a "Spiced Sweet Potato Cheesecake." These specialty items not only add variety to the menu but also help drive a sense of urgency, encouraging guests to try them before they’re gone.
Take advantage of local or regional holiday favorites by including them in restaurant specials. Adding a creative backstory or an unexpected flavor combination can make these items more appealing. Customers love trying something new that still evokes the warm, comforting feelings of gathering with loved ones on Thanksgiving.
Different Promotions Each Week Leading Up to Thanksgiving
One of the best ways to keep a restaurant top of mind is by running unique promotions every week leading up to Thanksgiving. This not only builds excitement but also creates a sense of urgency, prompting repeat visits and inspiring new “regulars” and loyalty program enrollment.
One of the best ways to keep a restaurant top of mind is by running unique promotions every week leading up to Thanksgiving. This not only builds excitement but also creates a sense of urgency, prompting repeat visits and inspiring new “regulars” and loyalty program enrollment.
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Week 1: Family Style Meal Deal – Offer a discount on large platters or family-size meals for takeout or dine-in, perfect for an easy meal or Friendsgiving gathering.
Week 2: Holiday Happy Hour – Encourage diners to come in during off-peak hours by featuring holiday themed cocktails and appetizers at discounted prices. Week 3: Thanksgiving Pre-Order Special – For those planning their Thanksgiving meal early, offer a deal on pre-ordered Thanksgiving menu items. Consider including a bonus gift like a free dessert or a small gift card for future visits to sweeten the deal. Week 4: Loyalty Rewards Boost – Restaurants with a loyalty program can increase the points or rewards earned during the final week before Thanksgiving. This will incentivize return visits and help retain customers after the holiday rush. |
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By having a different promotion each week, enhanced with unique Loyalty/Rewards offers each week, restaurants not only capture new customers but also give regular patrons a reason to keep coming back. It creates an evolving experience that remains exciting throughout the holiday season.
Build Anticipation with Weekly Events
In addition to running promotions, restaurant owners can build excitement through weekly events that engage customers and foster a community atmosphere. Hosting themed dinners, cooking classes, or even trivia nights focused on Thanksgiving can add a unique flavor to a restaurant marketing plan.
Consider holding a Friendsgiving Feast event, encouraging groups of friends to celebrate before the holiday itself. Make it special by offering group discounts or complimentary appetizers for larger parties.
For a more educational approach, offer a Holiday Cooking Class where the chef walks attendees through making a popular dish from a Thanksgiving menu. This kind of event can create buzz around a restaurant and showcase the chef’s culinary expertise.
In addition to running promotions, restaurant owners can build excitement through weekly events that engage customers and foster a community atmosphere. Hosting themed dinners, cooking classes, or even trivia nights focused on Thanksgiving can add a unique flavor to a restaurant marketing plan.
Consider holding a Friendsgiving Feast event, encouraging groups of friends to celebrate before the holiday itself. Make it special by offering group discounts or complimentary appetizers for larger parties.
For a more educational approach, offer a Holiday Cooking Class where the chef walks attendees through making a popular dish from a Thanksgiving menu. This kind of event can create buzz around a restaurant and showcase the chef’s culinary expertise.
Stand Out This Thanksgiving Season
Thanksgiving presents an opportunity to showcase your restaurant’s creativity, build lasting community relationships, and offer something memorable to customers. By introducing limited-time menu items, rolling out weekly promotions, and hosting engaging events, you can stand out during the busy holiday season and boost your restaurant’s visibility, loyalty program enrollment, and sales. Start planning now, and get ahead of the Thanksgiving rush!
Combined with multiple native QR code-driven solutions, Aldelo Express offers multiple solutions to support seamless Thanksgiving services and promotions:
Learn more by contacting an Aldelo representative today at [email protected] or 925-621-2410
Thanksgiving presents an opportunity to showcase your restaurant’s creativity, build lasting community relationships, and offer something memorable to customers. By introducing limited-time menu items, rolling out weekly promotions, and hosting engaging events, you can stand out during the busy holiday season and boost your restaurant’s visibility, loyalty program enrollment, and sales. Start planning now, and get ahead of the Thanksgiving rush!
Combined with multiple native QR code-driven solutions, Aldelo Express offers multiple solutions to support seamless Thanksgiving services and promotions:
- Native Masa+ Online Ordering and Digital Payments
- Native Masa+ Loyalty, Rewards, eGift, and Promo Cards (smart coupons)
- Native Delivery, Takeout, and Curbside Pickup services
- QR Code Digital Menus
- And More!
Learn more by contacting an Aldelo representative today at [email protected] or 925-621-2410
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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! *** 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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