Bring Black Friday to Your Restaurant
Bring Black Friday to Your Restaurant
Every year, millions of consumers drop big bucks on Black Friday. From tech to toys and everything in between, sales are significant this day after Thanksgiving. While some folks may dread even setting foot outside the house on Black Friday, others are itching to get their savings on. Just because you’re in the restaurant business doesn’t mean you can’t take advantage of these deal-seeking savvy shoppers. Let’s look at some ways you can help shoppers kick off the season at your restaurant!
Discounted Gift Cards
Gift cards are a hugely popular present around the holidays, especially for those hard-to-shop-for recipients (what do you get your boss, anyway?). Gift cards also rarely get discounted. By offering a small savings on Black Friday, the benefits are twofold: customers will come in to pick up a gift card and may just leave with a latte or lunch, plus the gift card recipient might just become a new regular at your business. Especially savvy shoppers will also pick up a discounted gift card for themselves to use later.
Black Friday Breakfast Specials
It used to be that stores didn’t open on Black Friday until, well, Friday. But in recent years, retailers have been staying open from Thanksgiving afternoon through the following evening. True, shoppers out post-dinner are likely already stuffed, so we’re not suggesting you follow suit with those hours. However, opening early on Black Friday—especially if your restaurant has breakfast specials—is a fantastic way to bring in customers whose food options may be limited. Bleary eyed shoppers might need tons of coffee to keep energized, or they want a nice meal after a marathon morning of spending. Either way, you can be their refuge. Offer a fun Black Friday-themed menu, bottomless coffee, or even a breakfast buffet. And be sure to post all about it on your social media accounts.
Partner with a Neighbor
Neighboring retailers are also likely looking for unique Black Friday specials, so consider partnering with them to offer a discount. When customers show a Black Friday receipt from your partner’s business (or vice versa), give them a percentage off the check or a free drink. Consumers will appreciate the unexpected way they’re getting a deal.
Keep It Going
There are still tons of consumers who work on Black Friday—the employees of all these stores and restaurants being some of them! This means that for those of us on the clock, all the great deals go away once Friday ends. Keep the savings alive by extending your discounts throughout the weekend and into Cyber Monday. And don’t forget about Small Business Saturday, which is a perfect time to flex your SMB muscle and offer even greater deals.
There’s a lot to consider for your restaurant as the holidays kick into high gear, making this one of the most stressful times of year for any business owner. Take the pressure off yourself with the reassurance that comes with a small-business loan from ARF Financial. We pride ourselves on decades of experience in the restaurant industry, and we know the business inside and out. With ARF Financial, you can get a flexible line of credit in as little as 3 days—perfect when you’re in a pinch and need funds fast. Stop by today to learn more, and complete an application to see how much your business could qualify for. There’s no risk, and applying won’t affect your credit score. Ever. Here’s to your most profitable Black Friday yet!