Now that October is underway, we’re all awaiting a pretty special day. Halloween arrives at the end of the month! People everywhere are currently preparing for the scary celebration. Your restaurant should most definitely be in on that action. What ideas do you have to make your eatery a fun place to celebrate Halloween? Let’s explore how you can scare up some new business for your eatery all throughout the month.
Offer Halloween-themed discounts.
Create coupons and hand them out to your customers. Send out the digital versions via email. By doing so, you stand a much greater chance of encouraging repeat business. As Phil Kendall of RotaCloud notes, “zombie coupons” will help for your Halloween promotions to turn your customers into regular patrons.
“Sometimes they come back - especially if they have a coupon for a free coffee or delectable dessert!” he writes, “Take advantage of the buzz your Halloween promotions have generated and turn those one-off or first-time visitors into regular customers by giving them an additional reason to return once the decorations have come down.”
Create a creepy environment.
Halloween decorations create an atmosphere that is fun and exciting. This is a time of year when people really enjoy getting into the spirit of the upcoming occasion. Note that a couple of pumpkin and skeleton designs on your wall aren’t going to cut it. By going all out with your Halloween decorations, you will intrigue more fans of the season to visit your eatery.
As Allen Graves of Bloom Intelligence contends, “nothing gets patrons into the spirit of Halloween more than the right atmosphere. Decorating your restaurant can make a huge difference in the overall customer experience. It’s really simple to do, and you can’t go wrong with orange and black. Use balloons and crepe paper to set the tone. A little can go a long way. And don’t forget the accessories. Pumpkins, candles, cobwebs, skeletons, or anything that screams Halloween will do their part in creating a foreboding, yet festive atmosphere.”
Partner up with another business.
We don’t think there is a bad time of year to partner up a non-competitor. However, for certain occasions, a partnership can prove incredibly lucrative. For example, offering to drop off coupons at a costume shop is an excellent way to promote your restaurant’s Halloween specials. The cross-promotion can help to lure many new customers who otherwise may not even know about your eatery.
“Organize a trick-or-treat event with other local businesses,” suggests Kendall, “Either by preparing a stamp card for kids and parents to fill up as they go around all the shops, or putting eye-catching ‘Trick or Treat Stop’ posters in your windows so people know you're taking part. When your trick-or-treaters visit, reward them with some of your best baked or sweet treats; ideally sample-sized versions of your existing offerings.”
Allow your customers to pay at the table.
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