For restaurants, the holiday season is the most important and busiest time of the year. This period from November through early January offers a unique opportunity to generate significant profits and elevate your business. With consumers actively seeking festive dining experiences, special menus, and convenient solutions for holiday gatherings, restaurants that execute strategic marketing approaches are positioned to capture substantial market share.

The stakes are real: restaurants that fail to plan early and execute decisively miss out on significant revenue, while those who execute well can see dramatic boosts to their bottom line. According to industry data, restaurants can generate up to 30% of their annual revenue during the holiday season alone.

This guide provides you with research-backed strategies, practical tactics, and actionable checklists to optimize your holiday marketing across all channels. You'll discover how to leverage themed events, strategic partnerships, gift card promotions, and digital platforms to create a comprehensive holiday marketing strategy that drives results.

Operational Readiness for the Holidays

Preparing your restaurant operations for the holiday rush is crucial for delivering exceptional guest experiences. Start by ensuring your staffing levels match anticipated demand consider hiring seasonal staff and cross-training existing team members to handle multiple roles during peak times.

Update your reservation system to accommodate larger party sizes and implement efficient table management strategies. Prepare your kitchen for increased volume by streamlining holiday menus and prepping ingredients in advance where possible. Create a welcoming atmosphere with tasteful holiday decorations that enhance the dining experience without overwhelming the space.

Most importantly, brief your staff thoroughly on all holiday promotions, special menus, and events. Well-informed staff can upsell effectively and create memorable experiences that turn holiday diners into year-round regulars.

Roll out the Best Sellers

The holidays are the perfect time to showcase your restaurant's signature dishes while introducing festive seasonal offerings. Your customers are seeking both comfort and celebration during this time, making it ideal to feature crowd-pleasing favorites alongside creative holiday specials.

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Start by analyzing your sales data from previous years to identify your most popular holiday items. These proven winners should form the foundation of your holiday menu. Then, enhance your offerings with these strategic approaches:

• Create festive prix fixe menus at different price points (e.g., $45, $65, $85 per person) that simplify decision-making for guests while maximizing your average check size. Include an appetizer, entrée, and dessert with optional wine pairings for an elevated experience.
• Develop limited-time seasonal dishes featuring traditional holiday ingredients with a unique twist. Consider items like cranberry-glazed duck, pumpkin risotto, or gingerbread-spiced desserts that capture the essence of the season.
• Design family-style sharing platters that encourage group dining and create a festive atmosphere. These larger-format dishes often have higher profit margins and appeal to holiday gatherings.

Promote these special menu items through all your marketing channels, highlighting their limited-time availability to create urgency. Feature high-quality photos of your holiday dishes on social media, your website, and in email campaigns to entice customers.

Additionally, consider offering pre-order options for popular holiday items, allowing customers to secure their favorites in advance. This not only guarantees sales but helps with inventory planning and reduces food waste. Learn more about effective holiday menu strategies in our Christmas promotion guide.

Themed Events and Pop-Ups: Creating Unforgettable Holiday Experiences

Guests are hungry for more than a standard meal during the holidays. In fact, 67% of holiday diners are actively seeking something special an experience they won't find anywhere else in town. This is where themed events and pop-ups become powerful revenue drivers and marketing tools.

Proven Event Ideas to Drive Engagement

Consider launching holiday-specific experiences that align with your brand and guest preferences. Popular options include:

• Holiday brunches with live caroling or acoustic performances to create an immersive, festive atmosphere
• Dinner and a movie nights with a holiday-themed menu that complements the film
• Cocktail workshops where guests can make-their-own holiday cocktails with ingredients like fig, rosemary, peppermint, and cranberry
• Chef's tasting dinners or intimate supper clubs featuring rotating guest chefs or wine pairings
• Ugly sweater parties, holiday trivia nights, or tree-lighting themed events for more casual, engagement-focused experiences
• Pop-up bars serving seasonal specialty drinks that generate buzz and encourage social media sharing

Creating Instagram-Worthy Moments

The visual appeal of your event directly impacts your marketing reach. Create photo opportunities that guests will naturally want to share: a wall of mistletoe, windows covered in twinkle lights, seasonal centerpieces, and festive playlists. Even small touches personalized place cards, specialty garnishes, or themed cocktail glassware make experiences feel curated and shareable.

Planning and Promotion Strategy

Launch teasers 3-4 weeks before your event through email, SMS, and social media. Use countdown-style posts to build anticipation. Promote event details directly on your website, Google Business Profile, and branded mobile app. Partner with local influencers to amplify awareness within your community. Discover more holiday event ideas in our comprehensive guide.

Cross-Promotion with Local Businesses: Building Community and Expanding Reach

Strategic partnerships with complementary local businesses extend your marketing reach, attract new customers, and provide added value to existing guests. This approach also builds community goodwill and positions your restaurant as a local hub during the festive season.

Types of Cross-Promotions to Consider

Collaborate with local retailers, wineries, coffee shops, bakeries, or gift boutiques to create bundled experiences. Example partnership ideas include:

• Dinner-and-shopping packages: Partner with a nearby retailer to offer guests a discount at their store when they dine at your restaurant, or vice versa
• Gift card bundles: Combine your restaurant gift card with a local coffee shop or bakery offer
• Joint loyalty rewards: Customers who visit both businesses receive bonus points or credits
• Shared events: Host a holiday celebration that brings in customers from partner businesses
• Exclusive pre-holiday previews: Invite partner business customers to an exclusive early tasting of your holiday menu

How to Approach Potential Partners

Identify businesses that share your target audience but don't directly compete. Approach partners with a clear value proposition: explain how the partnership benefits both parties, how you'll promote it, and what the mutual audience growth potential is. Start conversations early ideally in late September or October to align on details and execution.

Benefits for Both Parties

Cross-promotions reduce acquisition costs for both businesses, introduce customers to new offerings, and create a sense of community during the holiday season. Restaurants benefit from foot traffic from partner locations, while partners gain access to your guest base. Everyone wins through expanded visibility and shared marketing costs. Learn more about effective partnership strategies.

Boost Social Media Presence

Do we really need to explain this one? 70% of your orders will be through digital channels and having an active social profile could really boost holiday sales. For one, the customers are spending an enormous amount of time on social media. This is your time to create content that your customers can resonate with and feel tempted to engage with your brand.

Most importantly, remind them with regular posts, Instagram stories, and reels that you're open for serving their favorite holiday specials at special prices. Enable online ordering on your Facebook page so your customers don't have to leave the social media experience to order food from your restaurant.

Content Types That Drive Engagement

Diversify your content across platforms to maximize reach and engagement:

• Behind-the-scenes reels and TikToks: Show prep for holiday desserts, menu creation, and event setup. Short, dynamic videos perform exceptionally well on TikTok and Instagram Reels
• Instagram carousels: Showcase your holiday menu with enticing photos and descriptions
• Staff spotlights: Interview long-time staff members about their favorite dishes and share personal stories that make posts shareable
• Countdown content: Create "12 Days of Deals" or countdown posts to build anticipation
• Customer testimonials and UGC: Repost photos and reviews from guests to build social proof
• Video tours: Provide a virtual tour of your restaurant decked out in holiday décor

Contests and User-Generated Content Campaigns

Run an online contest to boost engagement and reach. Here are some contest ideas for the upcoming holiday season:

• Halloween Photo Contest- Encourage your fans and followers to share their Halloween costume. The photo with the maximum likes will get Flat $50 off on their online order.
• Encourage Customers to share their food delivery experience with the photos of the food ordered from your restaurant. Giveaway 5% off to all participants on their next order with you.
• Share a holiday recipe and win up to $10 off on your next order.
• Holiday decoration contests where customers share photos of their festive home setups for a chance to win a holiday meal.
• Create a branded hashtag campaign encouraging guests to share their dining experiences at your restaurant.

Influencer and Partnership Posts

Partner with local micro-influencers (5,000-25,000 followers) who have authentic connections with your target audience. Invite them for a complimentary tasting of your holiday menu in exchange for honest reviews and content creation. Their endorsement can significantly expand your reach to potential new customers.

Likewise, you can experiment with different deals, giveaways, and offers to stimulate participation. Explore more social media strategies in our Halloween marketing guide.

Gift Card Promotions and Holiday Bundles: Driving Last-Minute Gift Sales

Gift cards are one of the highest-ROI holiday revenue streams for restaurants. They capture revenue immediately while building future bookings, make perfect last-minute gifts for busy consumers, and can be structured to drive higher-value spending.

Strategic Gift Card Offers to Maximize Sales

Launch gift card promotions that create urgency and increase perceived value:

• Bonus card incentives: Offer a $25 gift card free with the purchase of a $100 card (or similar tiered bonus structure)
• Holiday gift bundles: Package a gift card with exclusive items cocktail kits, dessert boxes, branded merchandise, or "passport" cards for multiple visits
• Prepaid experience packages: Sell ticketed experiences at a premium (e.g., a "Holiday Tasting Menu Experience" package including wine pairings for $250 per person)
• Limited-time promotions: Run "12 Days of Gift Card Deals," rotating different bonuses each day to encourage repeat purchases

Promotion and Sales Channels

Promote gift cards across all channels: email marketing (segment your list to target lapsed customers), SMS campaigns with urgency messaging, social media ads, in-store signage, and your website. Create dedicated landing pages on your website highlighting gift card options and explaining the bonus structure. Use your branded mobile app to push gift card offers directly to your customer base.

Timing and Messaging

Begin promotions in early November and ramp up messaging in late November through mid-December to capture holiday gift shoppers. Emphasize the "perfect last-minute gift" angle and simplify the purchasing process one-click gift card purchases on your website and app significantly increase conversions. Learn more about effective gift card strategies in our New Year's promotion guide.

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Get Online!

If you don't have it yet, you'll be losing out a major chunk of the market to your competitors. Delivery orders are expected to surge this holiday season. Customers would preferably deal with restaurants that offer a seamless off-premises dining experience.

Having a website with an efficient online ordering system ensures that your customers are able to directly connect with your brand. Most importantly, you get to keep 100% of the profits as opposed to getting orders via a third-party aggregator.

With a website and online ordering system in place, you can maximize your ROI, expand to new territories, and automate compliance without putting-in extra efforts.

Digital Channels Optimization Checklist

Ensure all your digital touchpoints are holiday-ready with this essential checklist:

• Website updates: Feature your holiday menu prominently on your homepage with high-quality images and clear ordering instructions
• Google Business Profile: Update your holiday hours, add special event information, and upload photos of seasonal offerings
• Mobile app push notifications: Schedule timely alerts about limited-time offers and holiday specials
• Email marketing campaigns: Create a series of holiday-themed emails highlighting different aspects of your offerings (events, gift cards, catering)
• SMS marketing: Send time-sensitive promotions and reminders about ordering deadlines
• Online ordering platform: Ensure your system can handle increased volume and offer special holiday-only menu items

Implement an email capture strategy on your website to grow your direct marketing list. Offer a holiday-specific incentive (like a free appetizer or dessert) in exchange for signing up for your newsletter. This builds your customer database for future marketing efforts. Discover more digital strategies in our online promotion guide.

Family Meals and Combos

This is the time of the year when families and friends get together to celebrate festivals. Since catering to a large gathering becomes a challenging feat, customers often look out for family packs and combo deals that offer big savings. Come up with family-size meals and offer them for delivery, takeout as well as curbside pickup orders.

Comprehensive Family Meal Strategy

Expand your family meal offerings beyond basic bundles to create memorable at-home dining experiences:

• Holiday meal kits: Create semi-prepared meal kits with simple finishing instructions, allowing customers to enjoy restaurant-quality food with a hands-on experience
• Multi-course family packages: Offer complete holiday meals with appetizers, entrées, sides, and desserts at tiered price points ($75, $125, $175) for different family sizes
• Mix-and-match options: Allow customers to customize their family meals by selecting their preferred protein, sides, and desserts
• Themed experience bundles: Package meals with activity kits, like cookie decorating supplies or hot chocolate bombs for a complete family experience

Catering Packages for Office Parties

Develop specialized catering packages for corporate holiday gatherings, with easy online ordering and flexible delivery options. Create tiered packages that include appetizer platters, entrée selections, and dessert trays with clear per-person pricing to simplify corporate ordering.

Marketing Your Family Offerings

Promote your family meals through targeted email campaigns to past catering customers and family groups. Create visually appealing package menus with professional photography that showcases the abundance and quality of your offerings. Highlight the convenience factor complete meals ready to serve with minimal preparation.

You can also take a cue from some of these offers:

• 10% off on all Halloween combo
• 15% discount on orders made on the website
• Free delivery for all online orders
• $399 Meal Kit for a family of 6
• "Holiday Dinner for Four" with a complete multi-course meal and a bottle of wine for $149
• Corporate lunch packages with individualized boxed meals at $18 per person

Explore more family meal strategies in our Thanksgiving marketing guide.

Private Dining Room Promotions and Event Hosting: High-Value Holiday Revenue

Private dining and group bookings represent a premium revenue opportunity during the holidays. Corporate holiday parties, family celebrations, and prepaid group experiences command higher per-person spend and booking certainty.

High-Value Event Packages to Promote

Market private dining experiences with turnkey offerings:

• Corporate holiday parties: Promote fixed-price menus for 20-100 person groups, including cocktail hour packages
• Buy-out events: Offer exclusive private access to your restaurant or specific dining areas for groups
• Prepaid tasting menu experiences: Sell ticketed chef's tables or tasting menus at premium pricing
• Holiday brunch packages: Target family groups with all-inclusive pricing for holiday brunches with entertainment
• Retreat and celebration packages: Market to small businesses holding holiday offsites

How to Promote These Offerings

Create dedicated landing pages on your website showcasing private dining options, highlighting menus, room capacity, and pricing. Target corporate audiences and local business networks through LinkedIn ads and email outreach. Partner with event planners and corporate coordinators who plan holiday events. Offer limited-time early-bird pricing for bookings made in October and November.

Group Booking Strategy

Require deposits for private events to secure revenue early. Offer tiered pricing based on group size and menu selection. Include perks for larger bookings (complimentary passed appetizers, reserved parking, customized menus). Promote the convenience factor: take the stress out of party planning by providing an all-inclusive solution. Learn more about event promotion strategies.

Influencer and Local Community Engagement for Holiday Campaigns

Partnering with local influencers and community leaders amplifies your holiday marketing reach and builds trust through authentic endorsements.

Identifying and Approaching Partners

Target micro-influencers with 5,000-100,000 followers who have genuine engagement and audiences aligned with your restaurant's target market. Look beyond traditional influencers to include local food bloggers, lifestyle creators, and community leaders. Approach them with a clear partnership proposal: exclusive access to your holiday menu, reservation for their followers, or a featured collaboration (e.g., a guest chef dinner where they co-host).

Types of Collaborations

Successful holiday influencer campaigns include:

• Menu tastings and reviews: Invite influencers to experience your holiday menu and share authentic reactions with their audiences
• Behind-the-scenes content: Collaborate on content showing prep for holiday events or staff spotlights
• Exclusive follower events: Host invitation-only dinners or tastings for their audience
• Co-created content: Work with creators to develop original content (reels, posts, stories) featuring your restaurant

Building Community Engagement

Create unique hashtags for your holiday campaign and encourage all participants, guests, staff, and influencers to use them. This generates user-generated content you can repost, amplifying your reach organically. Partner with community groups, local nonprofits, or employee groups for special event tie-ins. Host community appreciation events or fundraisers that build goodwill and create earned media.

Holiday Marketing Checklist: Your Step-by-Step Action Plan

Use this comprehensive checklist to ensure nothing falls through the cracks during your holiday marketing campaign:

Planning & Strategy (October-Early November)

• Define holiday marketing goals and revenue targets
• Research competitor holiday offerings and promotions
• Create a marketing calendar with key dates, promotions, and events
• Identify budget allocation across channels (social media ads, email, events, etc.)
• Plan staffing needs and holiday training timelines

Menu & Offerings

• Develop limited-time holiday menu with festive items
• Create prix fixe offerings and family bundles
• Plan catering packages and pre-order options
• Price items to maximize profitability while maintaining perceived value
• Test menu items with staff and select customers

Digital & Operational Updates

• Update website with holiday menu, hours, and holiday messaging
• Refresh Google Business Profile with current information
• Update branded mobile app with push notifications capability
• Sync holiday specials across all online ordering platforms
• Set up email/SMS promotional campaigns
• Create or update holiday landing pages

Social Media Preparation

• Plan content calendar with 8-12 weeks of holiday content
• Develop unique branded hashtags
• Prepare behind-the-scenes content (photos, video)
• Identify micro-influencers for potential partnerships
• Create contest rules and prizes
• Plan user-generated content strategy

Read our complete holiday marketing checklist to ensure your restaurant is fully prepared for the busy season ahead.

Ready to transform your restaurant's holiday marketing strategy? Start by implementing these proven tactics with Restolabs' comprehensive online ordering platform that helps you capture more direct orders and keep 100% of your profits. Book a free demo today to see how our solution can maximize your holiday revenue.