March Break can be an opportunity for restaurants to attract families and fill the dining room, raising guest cheques and driving traffic on otherwise slower days. As many families increase their discretionary spending during this time, about 35 per cent of those dollars are typically spent on food, alcohol, and restaurants.

However, today’s persistent economic uncertainty may prove challenging to operators, as 41 per cent of Canadians say they have reduced restaurant visits overall last year due to higher costs. Rather than focusing on raising prices, restaurants that prioritize perceived value may have the upper hand during March Break this year.

For the kids

From babies to toddlers, kids are typically busy and overstimulated as they visit attractions throughout the week. Offering an alternative with live entertainment like a traveling magician or popular characters can help keep kids interested and in their seats for the meal. Focus on a fun menu, too, with additions like milk shakes or fruit kebabs, and interactive items like build-your-own-tacos, veggie platters with dip, or cookie decorating kits that can also help kids busy and engaged.

For the teens

Teens may not be interested in live entertainment, so meet them where they spend most of their time – on their phones. Seek out TikTok trends and challenges that you can incorporate into your décor, menu, and activities. If you have a patio and the weather is warm enough, consider using your outdoor space to offer a unique spot for selfies. Most teens love an Instagrammable moment, so offering an aesthetic space, a ring light or tripod, and fun props, can help your restaurant get even more attention om social media.

For the parents

Many March Break parents are looking for an easy experience where they can relax and enjoy their families. Focus on making your restaurant accessible to young families with plenty of highchairs, children’s cutlery, and wide spaces where strollers can be pushed and stored. Remember that the week is about fun, so get creative to make your restaurant a March Break go-to. Consider partnering with local attractions to add value, providing a neighbourhood scavenger hunt that ends at your restaurant, or offering coupon books for future visits. Making the experience memorable during March Break can help you turn new customers into regular visitors.

Attracting families to your restaurant for March Break can help operators significantly boost the bottom line, so focus on perceived value, creating memorable experiences, and offering families something unique to stand out from the competition and choose your restaurant.