Whether you’re in the midst of filling catering orders or are simply looking to jump on the thanksgiving gravy train, capture holiday profits by offering last-minute must-haves.
Selling last-minute Thanksgiving sides, desserts, starters, and spirits can be highly profitable for restaurants catering to customers who may have forgotten a dish, have a sudden increase in guest size, or simply need a helping hand with their holiday feast.
Whether it's a fully prepared feast, a quick side dish, or a delicious way to reinvent leftovers, your restaurant's convenient options, flexibility, and creativity can turn stress into joy for your customers.
Here are a few strategies and ideas to make your offerings irresistible:
What to Offer
Simple Sides and Starters
Focus on Classics: Offer classics like mashed potatoes, man ‘n cheese, green bean casserole, roasted Brussels sprouts, stuffing, dinner rolls, and gravy.
Pre-Portioned Sizes: Provide options for small groups of less than five or large groups of 8 or more.
Mix-and-Match Options: Let customers select from a list of à la carte menu items or let them create their own bundle.
Gourmet Spin: Add gourmet spins like truffle mac and cheese or cranberry and sage stuffing.
Creative Starters: Curate pre-made appetizers like decorative charcuterie boards and party platters to add pizzazz to the party.
Grab-n-Go
Dedicated Pick-Up Stations: Speed up the process for busy customers by creating a quick grab-and-go station for pick-up and delivery.
Holiday Booths: Set up a booth near the entrance with pre-packed sides for easy purchase.
Deliverable Bundles: Make sure to promote your grab-n-go bundles on your website for Thanksgiving Day delivery.
Desserts
Offer traditional pies like pumpkin, pecan, and apple that look and taste like homemade.
Create unique treats like cranberry tiramisu, pumpkin bread pudding, or maple pecan cheesecake.
Spirits
Curate a selection of wines, beers, and premixed holiday cocktails like pumpkin spice martinis or spiced cranberry margaritas.
Offer alcohol delivery whenever possible, always staying abreast of the local regulations and state laws.
Friendsgiving Must-Haves
Celebrate the spirit of friendship with your restaurant's Friendsgiving menu, designed to make last-minute group gatherings delicious and hassle-free.
Promote on Social Media: Highlight offerings with vibrant social media posts showcasing sharable dishes, decorative charcuterie boards, seasonal sides, and decadent desserts. Use hashtags like #FriendsgivingFeast and #GatherWithUs to boost visibility.
Encourage Pre-Ordering: Promote pre-order discounts or bundle deals to encourage early ordering and emphasize options for pickup or delivery to suit everyone’s needs.
Personalize: Add a personal touch by sharing stories behind your recipes to create a connection with your audience.
How to Promote
Market Urgency
Highlight the Problem: "Forgot a dish or have last minute guests on their way? We've got you covered!"
Set a Deadline: Offer sides for pickup or delivery up until Thanksgiving morning.
Express Options: Advertise ready-to-heat sides with little to no prep required.
Post Engaging Content
Drool-worthy Images: Post mouthwatering photos and fun short videos of your offerings.
Attention-Grabbers: Feature polls or host contests to draw attention to your offerings.
Examples:
Poll: What is your favorite pie? What is your favorite side?
Contest: Invite customers to share photos of their meal transformations using your menu items, with a chance to win a gift card or free meal.
Real-Time Updates: Post reminders with Instagram and Facebook stories to show items still available in real time on Thanksgiving Day.
Hashtag Campaign: Create a branded hashtag to boost engagement.
Incentivize
Offer Discounts on Multiple Items: "Buy 3 sides, get 1 free!"
Reward Returning Customers: “15% discount for frequent buyers.”
Gift a Side: For every purchase over $50, for example, include a complimentary side dish. For every purchase over $75, off 2 side dishes, etc…
Collaborate with Local Businesses
Partner Pairings: Partner with nearby wine stores, bakeries, or florists for pies, floral arrangements, and drink pairings.
Survival Kit: Cross promote each other’s offerings as part of a last-minute Thanksgiving survival kit.
Email and SMS Blasts
Exclusive Offers: Promote special discounts for loyal customers via email and text messages.
Last-Minute Reminder: Send emails or texts emphasizing the convenience of your last minute must-haves.
Upsell and Cross-Sell
Smart Suggestions: Use your online ordering system to suggest add-ons like drinks, appetizers, or desserts.
Bundle Add-Ons: Offer discounted extras with specific dishes.
Leftover Repurposing
Helping customers repurpose their Thanksgiving leftovers with creative side orders is a smart way to stay engaged post-holiday.
Next-Day Bundles
Mini-Bundles: Pair sides with gravy or bread rolls for a complete next-day meal enhancement.
Breakfast Kits: Market versatile dishes like sweet potato casserole as next-morning fare.
Leftover-Friendly Add-Ons
Next-Day Sides: Sell mashed potatoes, stuffing, or gravy that pairs perfectly with leftover turkey or ham.
Bread Options: Promote rolls, wraps, or flatbreads for making sandwiches.
Soup Starters: Offer pre-made turkey stock or a soup kit with fresh veggies and herbs.
Black Friday and Cyber Monday Rescue Menu
Thanksgiving Casserole Kit: Pre-assembled kits for layering turkey, stuffing, and mashed potatoes are ideal for the busy shopping days to come.
Turkey Pot Pie Kit: Include pie crust, gravy, and a veggie mix to turn leftovers into a pot pie for Black Friday and Cyber Weekend deliciousness.
Breakfast Sides: Promote sweet potato hash browns or cranberry muffins for Black Friday morning meals.
Cyber Specials: Curate Cyber Monday-themed offerings like turkey sliders with cranberry aioli or stuffing waffles with gravy for shop-at-home convenience.
Recipe Suggestions
Recipe Cards: Include easy-to-follow instructions for dishes like cranberry pizza, turkey fried rice, stuffing-stuffed mushrooms, or cranberry BBQ sauce.
Package Convenience
Grab-and-Go Packs: Pre-assembled kits for soups, casseroles, or sandwiches.
Reheat Instructions: Include tips for reheating your sides and how to pair them with leftovers.
Managing Logistics
Delivery Cutoffs:
Clearly communicate order and delivery deadlines in your social media posts and on your website.
Offer delivery time slots for convenience.
Packaging:
Pack dishes in ready-to-heat and serve containers for maximum convenience.
Take Away
In the hustle and bustle of the holiday season, restaurants can be a beacon for those in need of last-minute meal solutions and creative uses for leftovers. By offering convenient, high-quality options and showcasing innovative ways to repurpose food, you not only meet customer needs but also foster sustainability and community connection.
With thoughtful planning and smart marketing, your restaurant can become a go-to destination during the busy holiday season and beyond.
By Eileen Strauss
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