While many restaurants have back-to-school on their radar, with specials, value meals, and targeted marketing, the end of the school year also offers an opportunity to draw families and groups in for a celebration. Even though many post-secondary programs have already ended, most elementary and high schools continue until mid-June.

Fun for families

In the same way that many families are scattered and rushed at the beginning of the school year, the end of the year often brings burn out, exhaustion, and a rush to complete all the end of the year responsibilities. This often calls for dinner out, takeout, or alternate dining arrangements as families scramble to finish the year. Make life easier by creating sharing plates, offering LTOs, providing ready-made meals, and creating strategies that will attract families at this time of year.

RELATED: Making your restaurant a destination for families

School spirit

Support your neighbourhood schools before the end of the year by participating in fundraisers, catering themed days, or sponsoring festivals to help improve your community and grow your brand. You could even start a series where, similar to Boston Pizza’s “Celebrity Server Nights,” the school sends out invitations for the event, and your restaurant donates a percentage of your group’s food sales back to them. This sort of event lets you increase traffic on a slower night, attracts attention for your efforts, and helps your community reach its goals.

Make the grade

If overachievers are your crowd, create a promotion that celebrates success in education like good grades or graduation. You might create a wall of stars to honour graduates, sponsor a “Student of the Week,” or offer a reward promo for good grades. At Krispy Kreme, students can get one free Original Glazed doughnut for every “A” on their report card, up to a maximum of six. These kinds of offers can encourage families to visit, strengthen guest relationships, and build your brand.

Get sporty

As the school year ends, so too, do the sports seasons. Celebrate your local athletes with team dinners, catered events, post-game meetups, and themed menu items like ballpark hotdogs or a sundae bar the whole team can share.  You could also offer promos for players in their jerseys, decorate in the team colours to create an atmosphere where athletes want to celebrate their season.

Top teachers

Often the unsung heroes, teachers need to be appreciated, too. Think discounts for teachers, themed happy hours, or “grading events” where teachers can relax on the patio to work. If you want to up your game, celebrate nominated teachers, help promote their class wish lists, or raffle off restaurant gift cards so they can take a night off cooking.

The end of the school year is something to celebrate and highlighting milestones like this one at your restaurant can help drive traffic, raise community spirit, and build customer loyalty.