Big game days offer restaurants a golden opportunity to draw in crowds, create a lively atmosphere, and boost sales. Whether it’s the UEFA Championship, the Cricket World Cup, or any major sporting event, you can leverage the excitement to attract customers and make your place the go-to spot for sports enthusiasts.
In this blog, we’ll explore some easy-to-execute strategies for making your restaurant the top choice for game day celebrations.
Create a Winning Menu
While designing your menu for the biggest football or cricket match of the season, focus on items that are easy to eat in front of the TV. You can start with some classics like burgers, pizzas, chicken wings, tacos, etc. These foods can be eaten using hands and are less messy.
Guests value menu optimisation while feeding a crowd, so remember to design a flexible menu. Make sure there are enough options for pizza toppings and chicken wings flavours.
Remember, fans love to snack when watching games, so make sure to customise your menu for the game night, focusing more on lighter foods. Also, try to include some healthy options, like baked instead of fried, or house made hummus as a dip.
Decorate The Restaurant With Team Spirit
While creating a game-changing menu, it’s also crucial that your guests have a festive vibe in your establishment as well. To create an exciting game-day atmosphere, decorate your restaurant with team colours, flags, banners, and sports memorabilia. Host themed decoration nights for different teams or major games to keep the excitement fresh and engaging.
You should make your establishment a favourite hangout for fans of all teams by rotating themes and creating a welcoming space for everyone. This way, you can attract a diverse crowd of sports enthusiasts who know your place is the go-to spot for the ultimate game-day experience.
Upgrade The TV Setup
If your restaurant already has a TV installed, check if it’s enough to entertain a large group. If not, invest in top-notch TVs and sound systems to give your customers a clear view of the game and ensure they hear every thrilling moment.
You must strategically place multiple screens throughout your restaurant, covering all seating areas so everyone can enjoy the action. This setup creates an immersive experience, making your venue the go-to spot for sports fans. Whether sitting at the bar or a table with friends, guests will appreciate your effort in providing excellent audio and visual quality, enhancing their overall dining experience and encouraging repeat visits.
Offer Special Game Time Deals
Games’ biggest night brings intense competition for restaurant delivery and takeaway orders. Stand out by offering game-day specials and discounts. Create game-day packages with various appetisers or full meals, including extras like serving platters and utensils, all at a fixed price.
Encourage advance orders with discounts, giving your kitchen time to prepare. Boost sales with perks like free delivery for orders over a certain price or discounts on popular items. Offer limited-time deals on fan favourites like wings and appetiser platters to attract more customers.
Go Online
If your restaurant’s ordering system relies solely on phone calls or a web-only option, it’s time to upgrade to a mobile ordering system. Customers love the convenience of ordering from an app, especially one they’re already familiar with.
To attract tech-savvy diners during the most-watched football game of the year, consider partnering with ChefOnline. Besides mobile menus, consider other ways to reach customers as they scroll through their phones, such as social media. It’s a powerful tool to showcase your game day offerings.
Develop a strategy to market your limited-time deals, using enticing food photos to make diners’ mouths water. Encourage pre-ordering by posting about your game day menu early in February, including a direct link to your online ordering site.
Final Thoughts
Big game days present an excellent opportunity for restaurants to boost their business while creating a memorable experience for sports fans. You can transform your restaurant into the ultimate game-day destination by implementing the above strategies with some creativity. Such transformation is vital if you want your restaurant to become eligible for renowned food industry awards such as the Asian Restaurant & Takeaway Awards (ARTA).
Embrace the excitement of major sporting events, and you’ll attract a diverse crowd of enthusiastic fans and encourage repeat visits, solidifying your place as the go-to spot for every big game. So, gear up, get creative, and make your restaurant the ultimate venue for game-day celebrations.
