Over time, the week around Thanksgiving has become one of the biggest opportunities of the year for bars and restaurants. In the days surrounding the holiday, friend groups home for the break are eager to reconnect before heading back to reality, while those who haven’t traveled gather with fellow stragglers to spread some holiday cheer.
With the right mix of festive menus, shareable snacks, and strategic promotions, businesses can turn this part of the year from a time for quick catch-ups into an occasion of its own, perfect for building lasting holiday memories.
Exclusive Menus
To entice groups of friends to come out, instead of staying in for their Friendsgiving celebrations, consider creating exclusive menus that are only available for a limited time and are just too good to miss.
You can keep it traditional with a prix-fixe spread of turkey, buttery rolls, sweet potato casserole, and the works — or put a spin on the classics with Thanksgiving twists like country-fried turkey made with Perfectly Southern® Fresh Fried Chicken Original Breading, jalapeño mac & cheese, and potatoes made decadent via gravy-soaked poutine adorned with Entice® White Cheddar Cheese Curds, all capped off with a Sweet Encore® pie dessert flight. Limited-time menus work to both boost excitement and encourage groups to book ahead, locking in a higher number of reservations.
A Thanksgiving Break
There comes a point where many of us hit a wall when it comes to Thanksgiving flavors and leftovers. Appeal to diners’ desire to escape to a different culinary landscape with a tasting platter of non-Thanksgiving bites. You can play on the idea of traveling to exotic locales for the holidays with international appetizers like Thai Cauliflower Bites or Tater Keg Cinco Nachos.
Restaurants also have the option to offer these items as part of a special late-night menu that’s perfect for guests who are craving a little variety in the aftermath of a family meal. The creative contrast will help keep traffic strong throughout the holiday weekend.
Holiday Game Nights
Give friends a reason to let their evening linger on with holiday-themed games that spark a little friendly competition. Host a Thanksgiving trivia night with categories ranging from year-round holiday factoids to famous episodes of the TV show “Friends,” set up a cornhole tournament, or kick off a round of holiday bingo with drink specials tied to winning cards.
Pair these games with shareable snacks like Entice Stuffed Bites or Philly Egg Rolls with Jalapeno Queso to help diners keep their holiday spirits high, and encourage them to order a few rounds while they play.
Group Deals to Gather Around
Win Friendsgiving groups over by rolling out packaged deals that treat larger parties to something special. These promotions can start as soon as the reservation — for example, you can offer tables of five or more a free appetizer or dessert.
Or highlight group drink specials with holiday cocktails — think apple cider margaritas, cranberry martinis, or a bourbon milk punch — served in pitchers or punch bowls for sharing. These group-friendly offers not only attract cost-conscious holiday crowds but also boost check averages and make ordering simpler.
The end result: Your business becomes the go-to holiday hangout.