This year’s holiday season is going to look different. However, that doesn’t mean all festivity needs to go by the wayside. What it means is that more planning will need to be started (if you haven’t already). In recent weeks, there has been much talk about how online shopping will increase at least 10% over last year. This will put a huge strain on shipping companies (UPS, FedEx, USPS) and can push delivery times out weeks later.

In addition, many suppliers could be running with limited staff and reduced inventory thus adding an additional layer of complexity to your holiday menus and events.

While its not even Halloween yet, it is still important to get your holiday season planned out now.

Plan Out Your Menus & Make Them Take-Out Friendly

Look at what worked in previous years as a starting point. There is too much going on to try and reinvent the wheel on. Take what was a success yet can still be fantastic this year and simplify it.

If you are doing a special on premise dining menu, make it take out friendly. The Thanksgiving, Christmas and Hannukah holidays will likely not be bringing as many people together due to Covid. You will be seeing a surge in customers opting to not cook their meals at home and instead order something special from restaurants or markets.

Winterize Your Outdoor Dining

If your business currently has an outdoor dining option, prepare for rain and cold weather before it happens. Outdoor heaters, generators and tents have already been flying out retailers’ doors, purchase or order these so you are ready once the temperatures FINALLY dip.

Order New Materials

If you will be creating speciality menus, make sure the paper stock is ordered and the designs are done to create less stress before you launch.

Promote Holiday Specials & Hours

If you will be offering any sort of specialty menu or service during the holiday season, make it known to your customers NOW. Share the menu on your website, via e-mail list, on your Yelp and Google My Business pages along with social media channels. Don’t just make one post and be done, regularly post reminders about order deadlines, limited quantity items etc. to stay top of mind.

Continue to spell out what guests can expect in terms of Covid precautions, safety measures, order cut offs, etc. so that customers can plan ahead too.

Train & Educate Staff

Regularly talk with your staff about updates to your business (hours, specials, menus, seating arrangements). A well informed team will be instrumental in driving seasonal success.

Speed Up the Process with Contactless

If you have not updated your credit card processing equipment to have a contactless payment feature, do it now. We can get this up and running before the holidays so that your staff and customers are at ease as well as speed up the table turn timing.

To help you incorporate these updates to your business in time for the holiday season, you can reach out to our team of restaurant experts here.