Last Minute Halloween Tips for Restaurants. Whether or not you yourself celebrate Halloween, when you run a restaurant it's always a good idea to take part in all the holidays that your neighbors do. One really big one is Halloween and we hope you'll get involved. Use these tips to increase your customer base at Halloween:
It's not too late even on Halloween day to help customers know what you'll be doing to celebrate and to increase your business that day.
Here's 4 Last Minute Halloween Tips for Restaurants to use now.
Get the word out!
Post a flyer on the front door that kids get free candy and treats when they visit you on Halloween.
Send out an email to all your customers making sure they know what special offer you are having on Halloween when the kids come. Do a little treat for everyone that arrives in costume. It could be a free milkshake, free dessert, buy one get one free kids dinner or other offer that focuses on the kids.
Post to your facebook page whatever deal you offer on Halloween. You'll be surprised and amazed at how much attention posts like these will generate. Your facebook fans will not only read your offer but, many many times they'll share it on their own pages too and it can generate lots of attention to your business and better yet, it generates lots of customers.
Change your answering machine message for Halloween day. Make sure that everyone that is calling your business will know that on Halloween, you offer deals and sweet treats for the kids. Parents often want a place to take the kids that is safe and still gets the kids candy and treats. Your place could be the one they choose.
Tell everyone everywhere that you go before and on Halloween what you are offering on the spooky day. You may stop to fill up your gas tank, buy supplies, go to the post office, meet with your vendors, go to the bank or other tasks of the day. Why not always be talking about your restaurant so that you get the word out by simply being friendly with other people and talking about what you're offering. You may not get that person to join you on this day, but they might come to dinner tomorrow. It's not unusual that customers are unaware of all the restaurants in the community - they may not even know you're there! Tell them about you and what you offer every chance you get.
Offer your staff a prize bonus for bringing in X amount of new guests to your restaurant for Halloween. The cost of a nice bottle of wine, gift certificate to your business or cash are always appreciated by your staff and is an easy way to get your staff involved in increasing your customer base.
Go out and Buy Candy!
If you haven't done it before Halloween, today is the day.
Lots of stores that carry candy will have special sales and discounts on Halloween day. Stores don't want to be left with lots of Halloween themed candy after today so you'll end up saving big if you shop on the day.
Fill a large pumpkin or spider bowl or witches cauldron bowl with your candy and treats. Keep it at your entryway or host table so guests can see it. Offer everyone that stops by or has a meal, free candy from your bowl. They'll remember you and your business for this simple gesture and they'll tell their friends so that next year will get even better for your Halloween business. If you don't already have a Halloween candy bowl, buy it now and you'll be set for next year and you'll find it on sale when you wait till the day of the holiday. Store it and use it every year!
Add a few Halloween decorations. Almost all stores will have spider webbing, Halloween candles, containers, creepy critters and such for Halloween so add what you can to your entry way, front door, tables so that customers know you take holidays seriously!
Get into a Halloween Costume!
Get into the spirit of the holiday and put a costume on that you can work in to help guests know that you're playful and that you like Halloween too. How easy is it to wear a Witch Hat and we love this one. Customers always appreciate knowing restaurant owners and managers that aren't afraid to show a silly side on a holiday like Halloween.
Encourage your staff to get dressed up in costume too. Make sure they can still work in the costume so no dangerous items if they work near flames such as the kitchen staff, or long floppy sleeves for servers.
It's not too late to get into the spirit of Halloween and you'll love the new customers you'll meet. It's okay if your plans for Halloween don't produce excellent results this year, it's at least a start and it's not too complicated to get involved. At least you'll learn what you did wrong and which parts you did right. The point is that you want to be involved in every holiday to increase your customer base. Plan now for next year and you'll be ready in early October getting the word out, finding a fun new costume and maybe even hosting a Halloween fundraiser.
Let me know how you spend Halloween in your restaurant and any other suggestions or ideas you have.
HaPPy HaLlowEen!! Cheers!
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