Looking for proven ways to drive traffic to your restaurant this October. These thoughts will help you boost your sales.
Driving Restaurant Traffic
The best restaurant promotions for October often take advantage of seasonal themes, holidays, and events that occur during this month. Here are some ideas for restaurant promotions that could work well in October:
Halloween Specials: Create a spooky-themed menu with dishes and drinks inspired by Halloween. Offer discounts for customers who come in costume or run a “trick or treat” promotion where diners can choose a mystery discount or free item
Fall Harvest Menu: Embrace the flavors of autumn with a menu featuring dishes made from seasonal ingredients like pumpkins, apples, squash, and cinnamon. Consider offering a prix-fixe menu or special discounts on these items.
Oktoberfest Celebrations: Host an Oktoberfest-themed event with traditional German dishes, pretzels, sausages, and beer. Consider live music, decorations, and perhaps even a stein-holding contest for added fun.
National Dessert Day: October 14th is National Dessert Day. Offer a variety of desserts at discounted prices or create a dessert sampler platter for customers to enjoy.
Columbus Day Specials: Offer discounts or special deals to customers on Columbus Day weekend. Consider a “Discover New Flavors” promotion, highlighting dishes from different regions.
Breast Cancer Awareness Month: Show support for a cause by donating a portion of proceeds from certain menu items to breast cancer research. You could also offer pink-themed dishes or cocktails.
Outdoor Dining Promotions: Depending on your location’s weather, October can still be a great month for outdoor dining. Offer blankets, heaters, or fire pits to make the experience cozy and enjoyable.
Pumpkin Spice Everything: Capitalize on the pumpkin spice trend by offering pumpkin-flavored coffees, lattes, desserts, and even savory dishes.
Tailgating Deals: If your restaurant is near a sports stadium, offer tailgating specials for fans attending games. You could offer discounts to customers with game tickets or run a pre-game brunch promotion.
Anniversary or Grand Opening Specials: If your restaurant’s anniversary or grand opening falls in October, celebrate with special discounts, free appetizers, or live entertainment.
Remember to promote your specials through various channels, such as social media, your website, email newsletters, and local advertising. The key is to create promotions that align with the spirit of October and engage your target audience.
Joe Welsh
Joe Welsh is a Partner with CORE Restaurant Marketing Solutions which is a national restaurant marketing agency focusing on helping restaurants improve their sales and profitability. Joe has worked with restaurants on a local and national basis. He has developed and implemented programs for US Foodservice, Gordon Foods and Performance Food Group. Joe has his Master’s Degree in Food Marketing from St. Joseph’s University and over 30 years’ experience in the Food Industry covering both the retail and foodservice sectors.
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