Add fresh ideas to attract new guests and offer unforgettable dine-in or takeout experiences this Valentine’s Day.
Ahead of Valentine’s week, ( yes stretching it out to a week is okay!), you will need to plan in advance for any potential COVID-19-related complications, such as staff shortages, limited access to popular menu items, and reduced indoor seating.
Promote, promote, promote. Virtual promotions via social media, email, and the web can be run simultaneously with physical promotions such as putting up signs and table tents to promote the holiday, which falls on a Monday this year. Remind your wait staff in pre-shift meetings to mention upcoming food and event specials to every table.
Offer special incentives. A single rose, a chocolate-covered strawberry, or a glass of champagne for each guest is a cost-effective way to greatly increase their Valentine’s Day dining experience.
Consider pre-packaged deals. Contact a close by movie theatre, bowling alley, or escape room to see if they are interested in partnering to create a date night package that is fun for guests and beneficial to both businesses.
Extend the promotions. There is no need to limit specials to just one night. With Valentine’s Day falling on a Monday this year, extend promotions for both the week before and the week following February 14 to accommodate everyone’s schedule.
Create the right ambiance. Make sure that guests have an opportunity to connect with their loved ones. Dim the lighting if necessary, light candles, make sure that the music is appropriate and at the right volume.
Add a little privacy to outdoor dining areas. Separating diners with partitions creates a sense of privacy for outdoor patrons. Depending on the space and budget, these partitions can be made with Plexiglass, tents, pergolas, and even potted shrubbery.
Prepare for take out orders. Offer a few to-go specials for those who plan to have a romantic dinner or even family night at home. Create a pickup schedule with pick-up times spaced in 15 minutes increments to minimise wait times. Also, consider creating a temporary prep area to speed up the packaging process, ensuring that everything is warm and on time for each customer.
Provide Valentine’s drink specials. Get into the spirit of romance with Valentine’s cocktails. Signature drinks make the guest’s experience more memorable and are also a sure way to increase alcohol sales.
Try a few healthy twists on comfort foods. Many diners are still going strong on their New Year’s resolutions of a healthier lifestyle. Offering dishes that cater to specific diets such as Paleo, Low-fat, etc. can be just the incentive needed to capture the attention of those who are looking for lighter alternatives.
Schedule staff wisely. While the expected surge in sales is great news, it can also be a scary thought with the staff shortages still lingering. Long wait times and poor service can damage future sales. While no operator wants to purposely overstaff, creating a little extra padding in case an employee is out sick can make or break a customer’s experience.
Order with precision. The key to success on any given celebration day is accurate sales forecasting, because running out of guests’ favourites is a sure to disappoint hungry diners. Review data from previous Valentine’s Day to determine which dishes and drinks were the most popular and order accordingly.
Planning, promoting, and delivering a special holiday meal event can impress guests and encourage repeat visits !
