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Host Community Events Community events are a powerful way to draw in locals, create buzz, and build long-term relationships. Events that support local causes or celebrate your community’s culture help cultivate a loyal customer base and foster community pride.
Maybe hosting an event could pump some new life into your restaurant. We searched high and low for every restaurant event idea out there, then boiled them down to what we believe are the most exciting and effective restaurant events to keep regulars ecstatic and new customers talking.
By scanning this type of QR code, customers can opt-in to receive upcoming event details, promotional drops, happy hours and more–and should they choose an event of interest, they can even add it to their own personal calendars, ensuring they never miss out on the fun.
Whether it’s a loyalty program, a seasonal menu, or a community initiative, every change tends to pass through multiple departments and approvals. This keeps your menu dynamic and lets you test ideas without commitment. Learn Faster. Large organizations often move slowly by necessity. You’ll boost morale and guest interest.
Meanwhile, extreme weather events are likely to disrupt transportation routes, damage crops, and lead to shortages of key ingredients, resulting in price spikes that impact menus. Strategies for Managing Food Costs During Disruptions Don’t be afraid to substitute ingredients Your menu is not set in stone. percent annually.
The holiday season is a huge calendar event in the restaurant industry, with bookings booming as guests look to let their hair down and enjoy a festive feast. Improve Seasonal Menu Offerings When it comes to the holidays, consumers love to tuck into festive favorites.
While there was a brief dip in consumer awareness of menu price increases in late 2024, the spring of 2025 has seen a moderate rise, affecting dining habits and consumer perceptions of value. “With rising prices tied to eggs and imported goods, restaurants will need to think creatively about their menus,” Fink said.
The two fan favorites, off the chicken chain’s menu for several years, are returning as limited-time offers while supplies last. By Patricia Cobe on Aug. 11, 2025 Facebook Twitter LinkedIn KFC is offering several deals to promote the comeback of wedges and wings. Photo courtesy of KFC. By Patricia Cobe on Aug. Photo courtesy of KFC.
A remarkable 74 percent of diners report returning to an establishment after a memorable event so by offering curated experiences and specialevents, operators can effectively engage their customer base as well as foster long-term loyalty. "Chef Michel was inspired to capture the same energy through a culinary experience.
They employ many people who specialize in each marketing tool. Why should they have dedicated pages for top menu items? The first of the 10 “must-haves” is a unique page for each popular menu item, like Pepperoni Calzone and Shrimp Alfredo. The reason is that they have pages for each of their most popular menu items.
Naturally engaging for the senses, videos attract attention in a sea of content, get diners interested in your menu, and encourage visitors. The rise of short-form video makes it even easier to share enticing, impactful clips of specials, cocktails, and ambiance. Video marketing can be your secret weapon.
When going through the ordering process, diners want three things: Speed Ease Clarity Your menu categories have more to do with delivering on those expectations than you might think. A well-organized menu—whether it’s a physical menu or an online menu—guides guests quickly to what they’re craving.
Collaborate with nearby businesses for events or promotions, and ask them to include a link to your website on their site. Photos of your menu items, ambiance, and even happy customers will give potential guests a glimpse of the dining experience you offer. Use it to share updates, specialevents, or new menu items.
”It’s not just about the caviar—it’s about the experience, the storytelling, and the attention to detail that make a meal at Costa special.” Unlike omakase, which centers on raw fish, kaiseki is a cooked and composed tasting menu that flows with the rhythm of the seasons.
The right restaurant newsletter doesnt just share updates; it keeps customers invested in your brand, your menu, and your next move. Its your chance to turn casual diners into consistent regulars, promote new menu items before they even hit the table, and build a real sense of community around your restaurant.
This will also allow the operator to concentrate on the operational and menu aspects, ensuring that both customer service and menu innovation remain exceptional and continuously evolving. These restaurants can also focus on creating a sense of scarcity or urgency with limited reservations or special tasting events.
From salted egg yolks and chili crunch fusions to mushroom-infused teas and freeze-dried fruit powder garnishes, Kimpton’s in-house experts share the standout ingredients, menu items and techniques that will come to the table in 2025.
29, 2025 Facebook Twitter LinkedIn The Farmstand Fresh & Affordable Menu offers six Dipping Boxes, starting at $9.99 | Photos courtesy of Farmer Boys Combo meals are a dime a dozen these days, as chains strive to deliver the value cash-strapped consumers are demanding. By Patricia Cobe on Jul. By Patricia Cobe on Jul.
This includes hours of operation (including holiday updates), your website link, phone number, and menu. Creates a sense of exclusivity : Special perks make customers feel like VIPs, strengthening their connection to your brand. Weekend-Only Deals : Feature a specialmenu item or exclusive discount available for just a few days.
For instance, "Discover which menu items are most popular among our target market" is a clear and focused goal. If your market research goal is to introduce a new menu item, you can measure its success by tracking its sales and customer feedback. Instead of having a vague goal like "Improve my business," make your goals more specific.
Reevaluating the prices of your drinks and knowing the types of drinks you sell can help you earn more for each bottle, as well as implementing portion control and even redesigning your menu. Calculate the cost of each drink on your menu, including the cost of the alcohol, garnishes, mixers, and anything else that goes into the drink.
Promote your specialevents and themed nights to both current customers and your target audience. One way to do this is with specialevents and theme nights. Not only do these specialevents bring in new people, but they may also help you gain back customers who havent dined with you in a while.
When a restaurant participates in local events or partners with local businesses, it becomes part of the neighborhood’s fabric. Add high-quality photos and videos regularly, posting as soon as new dishes are added to your menu. Keep your hours updated as well, especially if you have special holiday hours or seasonal changes.
Egg-cellent news…as of June 2, the egg surcharge is officially off the menu,” Georgia-based Waffle House wrote on X. The surcharges came atop years of menu price hikes that have frustrated consumers and hurt restaurant traffic. Thanks for understanding!” But supply has bounced back in recent months, bringing prices back down to earth.
How do you prepare your team for specialevents or holiday rushes? Can you give an example of how you’ve managed a large event or special occasion at a restaurant? As a restaurant manager, how do you prepare your team for specialevents or holiday rushes? Clear communication is also key.
A well-crafted email can remind a past guest to stop by again, encourage reservations for a new seasonal menu, or even boost online orders with a limited-time discount. A well-timed email with a special offer, new menu item, or exclusive promotion can be the nudge they need to place another order. can go a long way.
Understanding your target market is the foundation of making smart decisions for your menu, pricing, and overall guest experience. Without a well-defined target market, restaurants risk wasting resources on strategies that dont connect and menu offerings that dont selltrying to appeal to everyone, but standing out to no one.
Managing special occasion promotions is easier than ever with the best POS system features and integrated online ordering. Key Features to Consider in the Best POS System Promotion Management : Tools like automated scheduling to handle discounts for events like birthdays or anniversaries.
The chain has kept its menu prices lower than inflation, and it has invested in other limited-time specials, such as its popular Never-Ending Pasta Bowl, in an effort to appeal to price-conscious consumers. It plans to keep prices down while also adding more lower-priced items to the menu. “If
Leveraging engaging and authentic video content allows restaurants to showcase their menu offerings, build a recognizable brand identity, and create a loyal base of regulars and word-of-mouth referrals. Showcasing New Menu Items and Specials While many aspects of a restaurant shape the experience guests have, the most important is the menu.
Let them know: How often you’ll be sending messages (once or twice a week max) What kind of texts they’ll receive—promotional messages, event updates, or loyalty offers That they can opt out any time For example: “Join our text club for weekly deals, new menu items, and event notifications.” For example: “New special alert!
Increase sales by promoting high-margin menu items and special offers. A strong social media presence, community partnerships, and local events can get your name in front of more potential customers. Looking to promote new menu items? Drive repeat business through loyalty programs, email campaigns, and promotions.
From elevated comfort food to trending global flavors, operators are using Philly in inventive ways that bring signature flavor and premium texture to the menu. 09, 2025 Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Kraft Heinz Versatile, consistent, and built for culinary creativity, Philadelphia Cream Cheese is The Original that chefs trust to do it all.
Introducing new menu items is more than just adding dishes to your offerings—it’s about crafting an experience that captivates your guests and keeps them coming back for more. A well-planned new menu launch not only boosts customer engagement but also reinforces your restaurant’s brand identity.
Menu innovation can be a motivating factor in luring diners away from breakfast at home—where nearly half of consumers eat the morning meal—and into restaurants. News Breakfast Technomic consumers Pat plans and executes menu, food and drink stories for Restaurant Business and hosts the weekly Menu Talk podcast. Sign up here.
The company has been using a combination of value offers, notably the McValue Menu, and marketing to get customers in the door. and internationally. and internationally. and internationally. and internationally.
This "Super" special edition of Modern Restaurant Management (MRM) magazine's Research Roundup has a Super Bowl theme. MVP Menu Performances More than 200 million people tuned in to the Super Bowl last year—many with a plate of wings in front of them. The steepest decline happened between 6-9 p.m.,
Share behind-the-scenes content, promote popular menu items, and spotlight your loyalty program to keep diners engaged and coming back. Highlight your menu and your fans Use your posts to show off new menu items, fan favorites, or seasonal specials. You don’t need a fancy camera, just keep it real and relatable.
By Jordan Hayes, Contributor Relocating a restaurant is a major event that offers an opportunity to rebrand, refresh, and create excitement among your customers. Explain the reasons behind the move whether it's to accommodate growing demand, enhance customer experience, or introduce new menu offerings.
Fast-casual Condado Tacos—which prefers calling itself “next-gen casual”—has long had a bar program with a selection of conventional margaritas and beers to go with its Mexican-style menu and vibe. But those same margaritas had been on the menu since 2014 when the bar, so to speak, was set a bit lower. By Patricia Cobe on Jul.
The rewards themselves are flexible toodiscounts, free menu items, or other perks that align with your restaurants offer. Here are the most effective ways to accomplish this: Stay active on social media: Share updates about your menu, highlight specialevents, or give followers a behind-the-scenes look at your restaurants operations.
Hint: The menu matters a lot. But restaurants must optimize their online presence and present an appealing menu to get a piece of that growing pie. About 59% of those who place workplace orders are swayed by the menu, with budget-friendliness following close behind at 37%. Subscribe on Apple Podcasts. Subscribe on Spotify.
Look at their pricing, menu offerings, branding, and customer reviews. Adapting to changing consumer behaviors: If diners are increasingly looking for healthier options or prioritizing convenience through delivery, adjusting your marketing and menu offerings can keep you ahead of the curve.
For specialevents, consider hiring temporary staff trained in crowd management. Manage Crowds and Capacity Crowded spaces can pose safety risks if not managed properly. Develop clear processes for line management and monitor capacity to avoid overcrowding. Ensure unblocked pathways to exits and comply with fire safety codes.
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