Anyone who has worked in the restaurant industry knows that Mother's Day is one of the year's busiest days. 

Restaurant Business reports that Mother’s Day is the top sales day for two of every five independent restaurants.

Surprisingly, even the pandemic couldn't stop crowds from flocking out to order from their favorite restaurants. In 2020, customer spending was up 103% on Mother’s Day itself and over 60% on the Saturday before. 

With so many families dining in or ordering online, this holiday weekend is the perfect opportunity for your restaurant to attract new customers. Management hoping to make the most of Mother’s Day should consider including a promotion to help the business stand out amongst the competition.

80% of Menufy associates started their careers by working in restaurants, and they have worked many a Mother's Day. We put together a list of promotion ideas and marketing tips to help restaurateurs succeed during this busy holiday weekend.

Ideas to Make the Most out of Mother's Day

Moms-Only Freebies

Giving away an entire free meal can be costly, especially for independently operated businesses. Instead, consider offering a "moms-only" complimentary treat from a select list of items, such as a mimosa or slice of cake. 

By limiting the freebie options, you can control portion size and costs while still making moms feel special! 

Managers can even include this promotion on their online ordering page, allowing moms to select a free item once an order minimum is met.

Limited-Time Menu Items

Customers are more likely to order or buy something if they know the item is only available for a limited time. Harness the power of this consumer behavior by creating a menu, cocktail, or dish that is around just for Mother's Day.

Your regulars will be excited to try a new creation before it's gone, and limited-time offerings will entice new patrons.

Lessen the strain of creating a whole new dish, and the stress of training the line, by putting a spin on existing menu items. 

Changing up the protein of an existing favorite or swapping a sauce or side will give customers the feeling of something new without increasing stress on the kitchen.

Give bartenders creative license to develop a signature Mother's Day drink. Or make it easy by elevating an existing cocktail or drink with a different fruit or fresh juice. 

To maximize the reach of the promotional items, be sure to add limited-time specials to your online ordering menu.

Offer special Add-Ons

Restaurant operators who go the extra mile on special occasions will positively impact their customers. Dine-in and online ordering customers will value the convenience of having the option to add special items such as flowers and personalized cards to their order. 

Consider creating a cross-promotion with local florists to source flowers, cards, and chocolates. Partnering with other businesses expands your restaurant's reach and supports the community!

Try a Prix Fixe Menu 

A busy holiday weekend can easily tank the kitchen and send overwhelmed servers into the weeds. 

However, restaurants that implement a prix fixe menu can eliminate a potentially chaotic experience for your guests. 

A prix fixe menu typically features a set price for a multi-course meal. Customers are able to choose from a small list of options for each course.

Chefs creating a prix fixe menu can include regular menu items, develop special options, or try a combination of both! 

Creating a streamlined meal service in this way is a great solution for managing a hungry Mother’s Day crowd. And a prix fixe menu is an easy way for restaurant operators to control food costs and inventory needs.

Optimize Your Website 

Customers want to know what Mother's Day specials to expect when they go out or order in, and they will appreciate establishments that provide that information in an easy-to-find way.

A restaurant's website will be the first stop for many families looking to plan their Mother's Day celebration. Take advantage of the high web traffic to promote everything going on at your restaurant. This means including information about prix fixe menus, limited-time dishes, or other promotional details.

Don't wait until the day before to advertise the holiday promotions. Give patrons a heads-up by adding a pop-up message on your online ordering webpage at least a week in advance.

Post On Social Media

Restaurants will have greater success if they include the discount or special offer code in social media posts. Social media is a free and direct way to connect with your customers, so using it as a marketing tool for a busy holiday like Mother's Day is a no-brainer. 

Some restaurateurs find it overwhelming to navigate the world of social media, but knowing when, where, and what to post doesn’t have to be a daunting task. Explore the Menufy guide to creating engaging social media content for easy-to-follow tips and tricks.

Use Promo Codes to Increase Online Orders

Offering promo codes is a tried-and-true method for engaging customers and driving profits on the regular, but especially on Mother’s Day. 

Menufy partners can easily create custom promotional codes on the manager portal for customers to use while checking out online. This code will also be visible to all patrons perusing your restaurant's online menu.

Restaurateurs that are interested in extending their brand awareness and increasing their order volume should also consider utilizing Menufy's free email marketing capabilities or our premium automated text marketing service.

The Last Bite

Mother’s Day weekend is clearly significant in the restaurant industry, and preparations shouldn't be left to the last minute. If management and chefs take the time to brainstorm specials and promotions for the holiday, your restaurant will be better prepared to make the day special for new customers and regulars alike.

To capture the attention of potential diners, share upcoming promotions on social media, other websites, and your restaurant's online ordering page!

After deciding which menu items to feature and marketing the event, be sure the server and kitchen staff are ready to handle the weekend rush!

Families and, most importantly, moms will appreciate the extra steps your restaurant and staff take to make Mother's Day special.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Melissa Dimmitt, Marketing Communications Coordinator

Melissa began her digital marketing career nearly a decade ago at a restaurant group. She worked with restaurant managers and executive chefs while coordinating seasonal menu releases, executing photoshoots, and creating fresh digital content.