Hitting Refresh: Three creative ways to innovate in your dining marketing strategy

             The weather is turning warmer, and both change and pollen are in the air.  It’s time to spring into success and make sure that your customers’ dining experience is more than just a meal swipe.  After all, it isn't just about what's on the menu; it's about what's on their minds before they even walk through the doors. Here are three ways to help ditch the stale strategies and embrace your marketing mojo:

• Holiday Hype — Spring is filled with marketing opportunities: Easter, Mother’s Day, St. Patrick’s Day, and Earth Day. A 2024 survey revealed that about 67% of diners seek unique holiday dining experiences. (1) Offering limited-time menu items such as corned beef sliders on St. Patrick’s Day or an “Everything Green” menu on Earth Day can be just the ticket to boost engagement. Matcha cheesecake bites? Yes, please!

• Interactive Eats – Hands-on meal customization, themed menus, and live cooking demos are just a few ways to transform a ho-hum meal into a memorable experience. A DIY pasta bar lets customers create their own masterpiece. A waste-free menu can satisfy both their desire for delicious food and their commitment to helping the environment. Live cooking demonstrations allow them to witness how their food is prepared while building excitement and appreciation. Who doesn’t love dinner and a show?

• Like, Share, Eat – “Today’s Menu” posts are outdated. Utilizing interactive content like behind-the-scenes videos that provide a glimpse into what goes on behind the counter can spark interest and build trust. (2) Creating a "Secret Menu" challenge – in which special menu items are “unlocked” by following your social media accounts to solve trivia questions or riddles that hint at menu items – is an innovative way to generate buzz and engagement. (3) Half the fun is the anticipation, while the other half is unleashing your inner trivia champion.

     Hungry for more ideas to help polish your promotions? Click on the link below to get in contact with us.

1.     Tock (n.d.). Guest Trends and Preferences for the Holiday Season.

2.      Reynolds Bergh, E. (2024, August 13). Behind-the-Scenes Content Puts the Spotlight on Small Businesses. Forbes.

3.      Paytronix. (2024, August 2). What’s a Secret Menu? Your Ultimate A to Z Guide.