Ideas for restaurant advertising and promotions for every month of
the year
January
New Years Resolution Month. This is a time when many people vow to stop
eating out to lose weight and stick to a stricter budget. Not the best conditions
for many restaurants. Depending on where you are located you may be able
to advertise to winter vacationers, skiers, snowmobilers or in warmer climates,
those looking to escape harsh winter conditions. Offer up weekend specials,
and mid-week specials such as two for one deals. A lighter-side options for
those New Year’s dieters is another way to draw in extra business.
February
Valentine’s Day. Unequivocally one of the best (if not the best day)
for many restaurants. Promote your Valentine’s Day specials in the local paper.
Focus your dinner menu on couples meals and decadent desserts that can be
shared by two. Many schools have a winter vacation in February, so running
some lunch specials and dinner specials that week can also help bring in extra
business.
March
Cabin Fever Month. Not warm enough for outdoor dining and not cold
enough for winter sports. Consider advertising a specialty dinner, like a wine
tasting or nightly prix fixe menu. Advertise your restaurant promotions, like
ladies night, two-for-one dinners or a wine tasting dinner . Local chamber of
commerce or other local business organizations begin putting together summer
tourists’ guides in late winter or early spring. If you hope to draw from local
tourism in the summer months, be sure to place an ad for your restaurant
now.
April
Spring has arrived. Advertise your springtime specials, focusing on
lighter fare, like salads, new vegetables and fruity desserts. If you have
outdoor dining, advertise that the deck/patio is open for business. Nothing
draws a crowd like the promise of a warm, sunny outdoor lunch after a long
winter.
May
May has great potential for restaurant advertising. It is the start of
wedding season, prom season, and college graduations. If your restaurant has
a banquet room or does any kind of catering, promote it! May is the time to
gear up for summering catering as well. It is never to early to advertise your
catering services for summer picnics, weddings, or barbeques.
June
If you are open on Fourth of July, be sure to advertise for it in June. Replenish
take-out menus at local hotels, chamber of commerce, and any other places
they are likely to be picked up by vacationers. With school out for the summer,
you should look at ways to improve your kids menu and offer kid-friendly
specials.
July
Summer is in full swing. If your area has a large tourist draw in the
summer months, run promotions in the local paper. Consider partnering with
local hotels to give discounts to their guests.
August
Along with summer tourism, many areas have summer festivals that
draw large crowds. Consider sponsoring festivals or other community activities
for some easy advertising. Now is the time to start thinking about revamping
your holiday catering menus and getting ready for the change to autumn. Start
thinking about back to school ads and other fall advertising ideas.
September
Labor Day marks the unofficial end to summer. Some restaurant
advertising ideas include back to school promotions and harvest dinner menus.
Partner with local farmers for some organic, farm-to-table fare which you can
advertise and offer in a prix fixe menu.
October
Get into the Halloween spirit with scary promotions. If you have a bar
or pub, considering throwing a Halloween costume contest. This is also a good
time to start sending out holiday flyers and encouraging people to book their
holiday parties early. If you provide any off-site catering, now is the time to
advertise it.
November
Many people opt out of cooking their own Thanksgiving dinner. If
you are open on Thanksgiving, advertise it well in advance. Other advertising
for your restaurant includes holiday party promotions and New Years Eve
reservations.
December
Promote your New Year’s Eve menu through local papers, radio
spots and your website. Even if you don’t normally take reservations, New
Year’s Eve (and Valentine’s Day) is a good exception.
About Larry Canepa
