Fall is a great time of year to get creative and have some fun with limited time offers. LTOs spark interest in your restaurant, drive traffic, and increase revenue. With school back in session, fall sports, and a handful of holidays rapidly approaching, there’s no better time to plan your fall promotions.
Here are some LTOs to consider for the upcoming months:
October
Beverages. Continue to cash in from social media with beverage specials that complement your fall menu. Consider Oct. 4 (Vodka Day) and Oct. 7 (National Frappe Day) for your beverage menu. Or extend happy hour on the 27th for those working late on National American Beer Day. A simple option could be your restaurant’s unique take on a Hot Spiced Apple Cider special all month.
Comfort creations. Make guests feel warm and cozy with comfort food specials such as chicken pot pie, turkey chili, or cheeseburger casserole. Offer hearty side dishes like maple-bacon Brussels sprouts, hashbrown casserole, or apple carrot soup.
Halloween. Begin promotion of your Halloween menu specials or events throughout the month of October. Think beverage specials like Spider Cider, Spooky Sangria, or Blood Punch. Dinner items can include tombstone tacos, skeleton skewers, or vampire bites (mini meatballs). Consider dimming the lights to create a Haunted Dining Experience with creepy music, or fire up the karaoke machine while guests choose their song from a spooky playlist.
November
Veterans Day. Host a breakfast event to kick off the day with appreciation for military personnel or extend the celebration to include discounts for family members of veterans joining the meal. Offer guests the opportunity to share their appreciation to a special service member on your social media pages. Other ways to show support include donation drives and fundraiser events to support veterans.
Appreciation. November is the month to celebrate food! Whether your restaurant is casual or upscale, there’s a day to complement your menu. Some days to consider include National Sandwich Day (Nov. 3), National Nachos Day (Nov. 6), National Cake Day (Nov. 26) and National French Toast Day (Nov. 28). Don’t forget to post on social media; after all, it’s one of the biggest marketing reasons to highlight these delicious foods.
Thanksgiving. For restaurants open on Thanksgiving, explore options beyond turkey and stuffing (not that there’s anything wrong with that!). Consider a twist with a Thanksgiving Brunch Buffet or a prix fixe menu featuring items like pomegranate glazed chicken and butternut squash. If your restaurant is closed on Thanksgiving, show appreciation for your loyal customers with a discount or special menu the week prior to the holiday, or implement a Rewards Back promotion with a 5% discount on week 1, a 10% discount on week 2, and a 20% discount the week before the holiday.
