The Fourth of July is a festive occasion, among many other things. The official kick-off of summer, this particular holiday tends to put people in a celebratory mood. Barbecues, parades, and fireworks are the mainstays of the Fourth of July. It is most definitely a time to commemorate this country and its independence.
As a restaurant owner, you have an opportunity to create marketing campaigns and promotions around this trendy summer holiday. So what will you do this Fourth of July to help get more customers? What activities could you host to get patrons excited about coming to your establishment on the Fourth? Below are a few ideas to help get those creative juices flowing.
Promotional Ideas for the Fourth of July
Feature Independence Day-related food
Who knew that there was food specific to the Fourth of July…Again, keep in mind your diners are in a celebratory mood. Of course, they will want festive food on this fabulous day. Some ideas for dishes that you might feature include red, white, and blue pancakes, grilled hotdogs and hamburgers, potato salad and ribs, and a special s’mores dessert. These options just scratch the surface. Consult with your chef and get creative regarding the Fourth of July feast that you come up with.
Host a special Fourth of July event
What better way to stand apart from the competition and entice more customers than to have an event focused around this day. It could be as simple as grilling in your parking lot or yard. You might go that extra mile and arrange for some sort of firework display. Consider what your customers want and create an event that caters to them.
Have a themed picnic basket or bundle
Increasingly, people are relying upon takeout from various restaurants in their neighborhood. Why not use the Fourth of July to create a fantastic picnic bundle or food box that contains a few essential go-to Fourth of July foods. You might also include drink and dessert options with this bundle.
Have an Independence Day contest
Hotdog eating contests have become quintessential Americana. You could also do a pie-eating or themed competition along these lines. It could also be a contest that involves something other than eating. Think outside the box when designing your Fourth of July contest.
Heavily promote Fourth of July discounts.
Another thing you can do to celebrate this occasion keeps it simple. Offer discounts on food and other menu items. Before the Fourth of July, be proactive about advertising your deals. Use your social media accounts, take advantage of your website, and you might even post local flyers. Get the word out that your restaurant is celebrating the Fourth by making it less expensive for customers to eat.
Create a comprehensive social media campaign
One thing that restaurants sometimes do is overlook the importance of social media. Instagram and Facebook are two of the first places that diners will go to see what types of offers and events restaurants are featuring. In anticipation of Independence Day, create a comprehensive social media campaign and be consistent in your efforts. That is to say, ensure you update the pages daily as users like to see what is going on.
Have a red, white, and blue day
The Fourth of July is, after all, all about the good old red, white and blue. You might offer some incentives for patrons to come in dressed accordingly. Ask your staff to wear red, white, and blue on that day.
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