All of the recent changes in the restaurant industry mean that the promotional events your restaurant hosts need to change, too. But don’t worry: we’ve collected some of our favorite, safe promotional ideas here to make it easy for you!
New Menu Items
Have you checked out our post on Rotating Menus [LINK]? A rotating menu or special selection of limited-time dishes can be a great way to draw in guests. Promote new flavors seasonally with a rotating menu, or start small with just a few limited-time appetizers, entrees, and desserts. Not only will new menu items intrigue new customers, they’ll also draw in loyal guests looking to try the new flavors before they’re gone!
Promotional Game Night Events
Hosting a trivia night or other event can also be a great way to promote your restaurant. Deliver Me Trivia [LINK] provides a great all-in-one DIY trivia night! You might think that hosting safe, in-person events is impossible, but think again! Trivia nights are a great, contactless way to host a promotional event. Deliver Me Trivia Makes it easy by providing everything you need.
Craft Workshop
DIY workshops are all the rage at the moment, and provide a great way to host a safe promotional event. One of our favorites is a wine-glass painting event! It’s an easy, fun, and low-cost craft that any guest can do, regardless of their artistic expertise. Pair a craft night with a wine and appetizer sampling event and you’ve got yourself the perfect combination. Other ideas? Seasonal crafts are always a hit, and many ideas can be found online. Events like this are a great way to draw in more customers on a weeknight when business is usually slow.
Musical Entertainment
An open mic night is a great way to support local talent while pleasing an audience of diners. Singers, musicians, and bands alike will love the opportunity to perform!
Clubs
Your restaurant can also provide a great venue for clubs looking for a meeting place. If there are days of the week where things are typically pretty slow, offer up your event room or a quiet corner for local clubs and groups to meet. Most times, you’ll end up serving at least drinks and an appetizer or two, helping you fill tables in the middle of the week. Plus, it’s always a good idea to support local organizations and clubs!
Promotional Fundraising Events
A great way to draw in customers–even when your restaurant is offering take-out only–is to host a fundraiser for a local school, group, or charity. Giving a percentage of earning during a given time window back to the organization is a great way to support your community. Plus, these groups will often heavily promote the event themselves, doing the work of promoting your business for you!
Even though hosting promotional events can be difficult in current times, don’t be discouraged! Scaling down your events doesn’t mean that they’ll be any less successful. Use your creativity and put your own spin on any of our ideas to make the event your own! Good luck and happy planning!
