Spring is quickly approaching and bringing a series of holidays and events that restaurants can capitalize on to drive an immediate boost in business. Read on to learn about surefire marketing ideas other restaurants have used to attract new and returning guests and grow their revenue.

Attract sports fans to your restaurant this spring

Spring brings a wave of exciting sporting events, making it the perfect opportunity to establish your restaurant as a go-to destination for guests to root for their favorite teams. 

Gracie O’Malley’s, an Irish pub in Chicago and a Popmenu client since 2021, capitalized on this trend by hosting March Madness watch parties. They invited guests to reserve tables in advance through email, which had an impressive 47% open rate and a 2% click rate.

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Looking to take a swing at other sports offerings? Last year, Foley’s Sports Bar & Grill served themed food and drinks during their viewing party for the Master’s Tournament, attracting golf enthusiasts to dine with them over the weekend.

Capitalizing on spring holidays

Springtime brings several food-centric holidays that present an excellent opportunity for restaurants to attract guests. While not as prominent as the holidays at the end of the year, they can still help drive significant business.

For instance, St. Patrick’s Day is a popular early spring celebration that many restaurants take advantage of. Culhane’s Irish Pub in Florida does an exceptional job of keeping it top of mind with their guests by hosting a countdown on their website that includes a lineup of performances and activities guests can expect for the celebration.

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Henri’s Bakery and Deli hosts online ordering events for holidays, allowing guests to order from special menus in advance and making their delectable sweets a crucial staple of holiday celebrations. Their 2022 Easter ordering event, which featured decorated cakes and cookies, generated thousands in online ordering revenue, adding to their regular day-to-day earnings.

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Mother’s Day is one of the most significant restaurant holidays of the year, punctuated by special brunches, dinners, and takeout menus. Cafe on the Green showed their appreciation for mothers last year by serving a four-course meal on the holiday.

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You don’t have to limit yourself to just the big holidays. There is a wide range of national food and beverage holidays you can tap into during the spring, such as National Burrito Day, National Hamburger Week, or American Craft Beer Week. Check out this calendar and plan fun email or social campaigns to drive more business.

Carlo’s Pizza has an events calendar on their website that is packed with holidays ranging from National Meatball Day to Easter Sunday, giving their customers plenty of reasons to mark their calendars and dine with them.

Effective Marketing Tools to Keep Your Guests Informed

Website

Your website should serve as an information hub for guests to find the most up-to-date menus, make reservations, and learn about upcoming events. Using tools like dynamic menus, website announcements, blogs, and event calendars are great ways to provide guests with the information they need while improving your website’s performance. 

Email Campaigns

Email is an effective way to connect with your guests and keep them informed about everything happening at your restaurant. Develop custom email campaigns that describe your seasonal offerings and remind guests how to dine in or order takeout from your restaurant. You can also include special offers to increase revenue.

Social Media

Sharing your seasonal specialties, limited-time offers, and upcoming events on social media is a fantastic way to keep your restaurant top-of-mind. By promoting your irresistible menu items across social channels, you’ll encourage guests to engage with your restaurant and inspire them to try your latest dishes. 

Spring provides a wealth of opportunities for restaurants to connect with their guests while driving traffic and revenue. Don’t be afraid to get creative and try out new ideas. With a simple marketing plan in place, your restaurant can thrive in the new season and beyond.

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