Restaurant Marketing Ideas for May
The weather is getting warmer, it’s time to heat up your sales! It may surprise you how many national observances are in May. And while many of us don’t “celebrate” them, they can be effective tie-ins for creative summer promotions. Here are some ideas to try in your operation:
National Hamburger Month – The entire month of May is dedicated to the burger. While it’s sponsored by White Castle, the hamburger began in Hamburg, Germany, and the holiday is considered an official “celebratory” month for everyone. Increase your burger sales this month and bump up lunch traffic with hamburger specials. Create different specialty hamburgers each week and post hamburger trivia for customer contests. Put all winner’s names into a bowl and draw the grand prize winner at the end of the month. The prize? Burgers for everyone, of course!
National Salad Month – If burgers aren’t your operation’s thing, May is also National Salad Month. Use the same strategies (create specialty salads, schedule different weekly specials) to make the most of this summer promotion.
International Pickle Week – May 15 through May 25 is International Pickle Week (even though it’s a ten-day time period!). Deep fry pickles and serve them as appetizers, offer unusual pickles with your deli sandwiches or stick pickles on a stick and promote them at the bar (“Beer and pickles?! “ Why not!).
National Strawberry Month – If you’re a family-service restaurant, this holiday is perfect for promoting summer desserts, fruit plates and breakfast and lunch sides. Offer special prices on homemade strawberry dishes and check into local “pick your own” strawberry patches. They may be willing to trade services with you, allowing you to promote “fresh-picked, local strawberries” while you provide your smallest customers with gift certificates to “pick your own quart.”
National Barbeque Month – While many people view this observation as an opportunity to fire up the grill, you can create barbeque promotions for your guests. Or, if you’d like to perk up carry-out and catering orders, offer sides that compliment barbeques. Then market it as, “You fire up the grill; we’ll serve up the sides!”
