Traffic driving ideas for a cheerful bottom line

The holiday season is upon us and it’s not even Thanksgiving yet. The NPD Group recently promoted that half of all holiday shopping will begin prior to Thanksgiving, a 6% increase from just two years ago, and two-thirds of consumers report they will do at least some of their shopping online. Retailers like Amazon are taking full advantage of this new shopping mindset by starting holiday offers as early November 1, and even taking a swing at traditional brick and mortar stores with Black Friday deals online.

With many consumers shopping online more and more at the holiday season, it begs the question, how will the foodservice industry be impacted and how can operators prepare for the new holiday season?

Consumers report they plan to spend an average of $118 on food and beverages while holiday shopping, but there are additional opportunities throughout the season to keep customers coming back regularly.
 

Memory makers - According to QSRWeb, Moms and Millennials report one of the reasons for dining out is to make memories and the holiday season is perfect for making those memories. To drive traffic, offer themed nights like girl’s night out or family game night with table games that everyone can play together. These simple promotions allow customers to step away from the hustle and bustle and enjoy the holiday season.
 

Take it home - Everyone is busy during the holiday season. From office parties to family gatherings, the stress can be overwhelming for customers. Creating easy to navigate take out options can be a source of revenue for your restaurant. Develop family friendly to go meals with an entrée, side and dessert that can be ordered in advance and picked up at specified time. Take a cue from Panera Bread, have customers pay when they order and then create a staging area for pickup where their meal is packaged and ready to grab and go at the specified time.
 

Go Social - According to PewResearch Center, 64% of Americans own a smart phone and 91% of millennials and 55% of baby boomers say they use their smart phones for social networking. Retailers will be taking full advantage of shoppers with smart phones so should restaurants. Create excitement via social media posts promotional seasonal menu items, deals-of the-day, LTO’s or specialty drinks that differentiate your operation and give customers a reason to come back regularly throughout the holiday season.