Winter can be a challenging season for restaurants, especially if customers are less likely to go out due to the cold weather. However, there are several strategies that restaurants can use to attract more business in winter. Here are some ideas:
- Offer seasonal specials – Create a winter menu featuring seasonal ingredients and flavors that customers can’t get year-round. Consider offering comforting dishes such as stews, soups, and roasted meats.
- Host events – Plan special events such as holiday-themed dinners, wine tastings, or cooking classes that customers can look forward to attending.
- Provide outdoor heaters and fire pits – If your restaurant has an outdoor dining area, consider adding heaters and fire pits to keep customers warm and comfortable.
- Offer delivery and takeout – Many customers may prefer to stay home during the winter months, so make sure your restaurant is offering convenient delivery and takeout options.
- Partner with local businesses – Collaborate with nearby hotels, spas, or other businesses to create winter packages that include dining at your restaurant.
- Promote on social media – Use social media to showcase your winter specials, events, and promotions, and encourage customers to share their experiences.
- Use email marketing – Send out regular email newsletters to your subscribers, featuring updates on your restaurant and any winter promotions or events.
- Consider holiday catering – Offer holiday catering services for corporate events and family gatherings, which can help increase your restaurant’s visibility and generate more business.
- Offer gift cards – Encourage customers to purchase gift cards for your restaurant as holiday gifts, which can help increase business during the winter season.
- Partner with delivery apps – Partner with popular delivery apps such as Uber Eats and DoorDash to expand your restaurant’s reach and make it easier for customers to order from your menu.
- Ticketed events. Ensure that you have captured customers revenue and commitment that they’ll be coming to the event. There is nothing worse than last minute cancellations or no shows to really mess with staff and food costs. Get that guarantee beforehand.
There are plenty of things you can do to ensure customers dine with you over the colder months, but the best restaurants and the activity that shines and thrives is when you have in place a marketing plan and strategy.
If you are a restaurant or food and beverage outlet looking to implement some of the above, get in touch, we’d love to help you get more bums on seats this winter. Let us help.