September often marks a time for a fresh start as back-to-school season begins, and it’s also a great time to launch some school-themed promos to try and drive traffic to your restaurant. However, along with considering the bottom line, thoughtful marketing may be the secret to your September success.
Factoring in your guests’ lives, along with their dining preferences, may allow you to offer promos that really resonate with your diners and encourage them to come back for more:
Busy schedules: As the lazy days of summer turn into an often-hectic September, many families find themselves rushing into a new calendar with a shifting sports schedule and less time to prepare meals. Consider adding a menu that is quick and easy, combos that can be taken to-go, and prepared dinners that families can make a part of their hectic lives.
Getting groups together: As families get busier, many are looking for a chance to reconnect, so share plates, family menus, and BOGO options offer an incentive to gather in groups. You might even consider adding this one night a week to encourage families to make your restaurant their weekly go-to.
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Better value: As inflation continues, discounts may be a way to attract attention. This could look like a kids-eat-free night, discounts for teachers or students, or adding value with loyalty perks or savings. Beware of your margins if you are offering a discount and ensure that it makes sense for your business.
Guest appreciation: Encourage student and teacher visits by offering perks to those two groups of people. Creating a student value menu or lunch specials may help increase visits, especially if you are located near a school. You could also host a teacher Happy Hour or add value for that demographic to get more visits.
Team dining: It’s a new season for sports, too, so attracting teams to your restaurant might be a great way to boost the bottom line. Offer group discounts, allow private seating, sponsor teams, and host sports viewing parties to try and draw in your local teams.
Back-to-school offers you an opportunity to switch up your marketing, target a new group of people, and get attention for your restaurant. Get creative this season to maximize your margins this fall.
