Rainy day spells can trigger anxiety for those in the restaurant business, with the possibility that showers outside will mean a lack of traffic inside. But cloudy skies also present the opportunity to create a warm, welcoming refuge that draws people in.
By putting creative solutions — such as discounts, specials, and other rainy-day deals — into play, restaurants can be the silver lining on an otherwise gray day for those seeking a dining pick-me-up.
Gray Sky Specials
Different weather sparks different cravings — ice cream on a hot day, hearty stew on a cold one. Rainy days often inspire a search for classic comfort foods, making it the perfect time to highlight menu favorites that warm and satisfy.
Think a Monte Cristo Sandwich layered with chorizo, jammy eggs, melty cheese, and sweet-spicy blueberry jam; slow-simmered Contigo® Barbacoa Stew over jasmine rice with fresh garnishes; or rich pasta made with a signature Piancone® Epicureo Imported Artisan Dry Pasta and a creamy sauce. Guests can also cozy up with molten chocolate cakes, warm bread pudding, and other indulgent touches that cut through the gloom.
Roma® and its family of brands make it easy to create high-quality, standout dishes for any weather. With a portfolio that spans authentic Italian pasta, premium meats, and artisanal cheeses, you have everything needed to deliver top-level comfort classics with consistency. From simple, scratch-inspired sauces to premium pasta pairings, these ingredients help serve guests the flavors they will seek out time and again, no matter how dreary the day.
Rainy Day Discounts
In addition to highlighting soul-nourishing dishes, offering special deals on rainy days can be a boon for businesses that make people excited to pay you a visit. This could include taking a percentage off specific dishes, offering special multi-course menus for larger parties, or reducing fees on accompaniments (such as the corkage fee for guests who bring their own wine to savor with their meal).
The deals don’t have to end with diners either — they can benefit you, too. Through Performance Foodservice, restaurants can join a loyalty rewards program and earn cash back by purchasing products. The more variety you offer patrons, the more you both reap the rewards.
Delivery and To-Go Deals
It’s not unusual to simply not want to eat out during a storm, preferring to get home, stay dry, and relax. But that presents its own opportunity. Restaurants can reach those who want to stay in — but don’t want to cook — with rainy day discounts on to-go orders, such as a percentage off the bill or special menu items available only for carryout.
Partnering with delivery services to offer discounts can also help entice guests scrolling through apps to choose your restaurant over the rest. Promoting any specials on social media in real time is key to increasing reach and turning unfavorable weather into a surprise sales driver.
Turning Up the Ambiance
The right decor can transform a restaurant from a place to eat into a cherished hideaway guests look forward to visiting it, especially when the weather isn’t quite inviting. Warm lighting, comfortable furnishings, and charming, homey wall art can help create the cozy atmosphere of a neighborhood haunt, perfect for lingering over a meal. The addition of even smaller touches like fresh flowers on tables and a carefully curated, calming playlist can evoke comfort and encourage guests to settle in and stay a while.