Great news! Your restaurant is preparing to reopen! We’re so excited for you, and you’re likely feeling the same way. But you might also be worried: how can you make sure that your reopening is successful? We’ve compiled a great list of exciting ideas for reopening promotions to bring customers rushing back!
Reopening Promotions: Hosting a Trivia Night
Hosting an event like a bar trivia night can be a great way to bring guests back. We especially love hosting trivia nights on weeknights when business may be slower than usual. Hosting a trivia night can also be a great reopening promotion. It can help to draw in new customers that haven’t tried your restaurant previously, as well as loyal patrons. Advertise your quiz night on social media, email lists, and in your restaurant to make sure to get the word out.
Loyalty and Rewards
Launching a new loyalty program can also be a great way to draw in repeat customers. Offer special incentives for attending events such as trivia nights. We also recommend integrating your rewards program into your restaurant’s app in order to keep things simple. The key to running a successful loyalty program promotion is to choose a high enough threshold that you’re not losing money on the program! We recommend ideas such as “buy ten drinks, get one free” or a free dessert on a customer’s 5th visit. Loyalty programs can also be a great way to offer birthday rewards! You can even use your restaurant’s loyalty program to offer special deals on weeknights when business is slower than usual.
Discount Appetizers, Desserts, or Drinks
The most important job of a reopening promotion is to get people into your restaurant. By creating discounts on items like appetizers, desserts, and drinks, customers will stop by for the sale but usually end up purchasing several dishes. You can theme these items to the season, or just use your creativity to come up with some delicious offerings.
Reopening Promotions: Limited-Time Menu Items
Creating a sense of urgency is a tried-and-true method to draw in customers! You can help to promote your restaurant’s reopening by creating a limited-time menu with new items. Especially consider appetizers, drinks, cocktails, and desserts, as this will bring customers in and often lead to them purchasing more items than just those in the promotion.
Overall, reopening promotions are a great way to create buzz around your restaurant! With a little creativity, some purposeful, targeted advertising, and a bit of hard work, you’re sure to create a super-successful reopening. We wish you all the best of luck!
