Best Ways to Prepare Your Restaurant for the Holiday Rush
The Restaurant Holiday Rush is Here!
Well, it happened. We finally waved goodbye to summer, which can only mean one thing: The restaurant holiday rush is right around the corner! Soon, Halloween decorations will lend way to Christmas lights and New Year’s celebrations, so that means it’s time to get your restaurant ready for the onslaught of patrons attending work parties, Ugly Sweater Happy Hours, and brunches with visiting family. Join us as we help you gear your restaurant up for the best holiday season yet!
Ramp Up Your Staff
Retailers regularly hire seasonal employees to handle increased foot traffic during the holidays, and the same tactic should apply for your restaurant. You want to make sure every area—from your hostess stand to your back-of-house—is operating at max capacity. Let’s face it: Your staff are the ones who keep the wheels spinning, so make sure there are plenty of them. Maybe this means hiring new workers to fill in the gaps, or perhaps you can get away with simply scheduling your existing staff for additional shifts. In any case, make sure you have more than enough employees to handle the volume associated with the restaurant holiday rush. If it’s slow, remember it’s easier to send people home than to get them to come in with little notice. You’ll also want to regularly touch base with your team, having them fill you in on their holiday schedules well in advance. And be prepared to have backups available for the inevitable (and dreaded) call-out.
Ramp Up Your Supplies
Just as you need to have ample staff to cover the restaurant holiday rush, you’ll also need ample food and drinks—that’s a no-brainer. Look back at your sales from last season and be sure to place food orders based on what was popular. Another great tip? Make certain your dishes, utensils, and glassware are well stocked to accommodate the influx of patrons you’re sure to see. The same goes for cleaning supplies and food-prep items, among other things.
Ramp Up Your Marketing
You want people to come to your restaurant, and the holiday season is the perfect time to offer specials, seasonal menus, company discounts, and promotions that’ll bring more customers in the door. Send out mailers and emails letting customers know all the great deals you’ve got coming up, and take advantage of social media advertising as well. While the holiday season is bound to be busy on its own, having a solid marketing strategy is paramount to maximizing the success of your business. It’s the most wonderful time of the year to bring in new customers!
While these tips may seem simple, it’s important to have the cash on-hand to make them a reality. Visit arffinancial.com today to learn more about our great restaurant loan options! With quick approvals, we’re the #1 restaurant and hospitality lender, offering flexible terms, quick approvals, and manageable payments. APPLY NOW and together we’ll make 2018 your best holiday season yet! It’s free and it won’t affect your credit!