Whether you love it or hate it, you can’t deny the shopping phenomenon that is Black Friday. An estimated 100 million shoppers are expected to take advantage of the event this year and, if past years are any indicator, over 25% of these shoppers will also be dining out at local restaurants. To funnel some of this traffic your way, we’ve put together a few marketing tips and tricks for your restaurant.
1. Pair Up With Local Retailers
Do a little research prior to Black Friday and locate some of the hottest retail deals near you. As a consumer, what deals are you most excited about? Pair with retailers and offer free advertising for their specials in exchange for them advertising yours. Have guests show receipts from partnered retailers to offer a free appetizer or a discount on their meal.
2. Utilize Social Media
Advertise your deals and deals from partnered retailers by becoming a guru of your local Black Friday specials. This will help to drive traffic to your website where you can then educate diners with directions to and from nearby retailers and your restaurant. Make your restaurant everyone’s local hub for retail shopping and remember to set up special check-in offers for Black Friday deals.
3. Create Holiday Menu & Specials
All day happy hour, entree and holiday drink specials will help to encourage walk-in traffic. Shoppers are also going to be tired, so specials on festive caffeinated beverages is a huge plus. Most shoppers will be travelling in groups and focused on finding that next big deal so we recommend having a limited Black Friday menu prepared. Customize a special selection of quick bites and shared plates for this holiday event.
4. Gift Cards
Start selling gift cards now and offer bonus dollars to those redeeming on Black Friday. Purchasing gift cards over the busy shopping weekend can also be a smart move. Consider offering a limited gift card doorbuster to your first 10-25 customers for the day.
5. Prepare Your Staff
Not only can this holiday be profitable in the short term, but this is also a great opportunity to showcase your restaurant and create new regulars. Make sure you’re fully staffed to provide the best experience for every guest. Your staff should be thoroughly trained on your current specials as well as any special Black Friday deals you have going on.
Remember there are several ways to get creative this holiday season. Take a step back and think about different ways you can drive more traffic to your restaurant from all channels. Reward guests uniquely for making online reservations, phone reservations, walk-ins or gift card purchases. Be prepared and remember to thank your staff for a job well done this season.
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The information above is provided for educational and informational purposes only. It is not intended to be a substitute for professional advice and may not be suitable for your circumstances. Unless stated otherwise, references to third-party links, services, or products do not constitute endorsement by Yelp.