Every quick service restaurant owner knows the struggle: weekends and dinner hours are bustling, but the rest of the time? It’s so slow you can barely cover what it costs to be open.
This is not a time to just hope it gets better. It’s time to deploy smart restaurant marketing strategies to increase restaurant sales by attracting more customers during slow days.
In the following post, learn 7 creative restaurant marketing campaigns designed to draw in customers during off-peak times plus best-practices to make sure it works for you.
Before we dive in, note that the examples provided are meant to serve as inspiration and can be modified by adjusting discounts, freebies, time of day, and other elements.
7 Customizable Ideas to Increase Restaurant Sales on Slow Days
1. Bring a Friend Deals
Encourage social dining by offering deals that reward customers for bringing a guest. It’s a great way to double your reach and increase restaurant sales with minimal effort. Try these ideas:
- BRING A FRIEND TUESDAY! Buy any drink and get your friend’s drink FREE from 2-5 PM.
- Double the fun. Bring a buddy and get 50% off your second entree! Offer valid 3-5 PM today.
2. Kids Eat Free Promotions
Families love a good deal, and “Kids Eat Free” promotions make dining out more appealing for parents. Clearly highlight the time restrictions to drive off-peak traffic. Examples:
- WEDNESDAY ONLY: Buy a regular meal, and your kiddo gets a free cone from 2-5 PM!
- Family time just got tastier… Kids eat FREE with any adult entree purchase this Tuesday, 3-6 PM.
3. Swag Prizes
Increase restaurant sales and create buzz by offering fun, low-cost prizes. Pair the prize with a minimum purchase to encourage larger orders. Here’s how to pitch it:
- Buy 2 drinks and score a custom friendship bracelet – TODAY ONLY from 2-4 PM!
- Grab a snack and some swag. Spend $10 or more and get a free reusable tote! Offer valid 3-5 PM.
4. Mug Club Memberships
Create a sense of exclusivity with a Mug Club that rewards members for visiting during slow hours. Use it to increase restaurant sales like this:
- Join our Mug Club and enjoy half-price beverages Monday-Thursday from 2-4 PM!
- Become a Mug Club member today! Get a custom mug and 50% off drinks all week long, 3-5 PM.
5. SMS Flash Discounts
Timing is everything, and SMS marketing lets you reach your customers instantly during those times when you really want to increase restaurant sales. Send a text to your opt-in list with a limited-time offer to create a sense of urgency. Keep the texts short, sweet and action-oriented, with a clear expiration time. Here are a few examples:
- FLASH SALE! Pop into Restaurant Name today from 2-4 for half-priced bevvies!
- HURRY! Get a FREE order of fries with the purchase of any full-priced entree! Offer valid until 4 PM today ONLY.
6. Double Point Days
Loyalty programs work best when customers feel like they’re getting extra value. Running a Double Points promotion during off-peak hours encourages repeat visits by rewarding loyal customers (and helps you increase your restaurant sales!). Here are a couple of ways to frame it:
- DOUBLE POINTS ALERT! Earn twice the points on all orders from 2-4 PM this Tuesday!
- Rack up rewards faster. Stop by Restaurant Name tomorrow from 3-5 PM for Double Loyalty points!
7. Steep Discount Days
Eye-catching discounts grab attention and motivate people to visit during slow periods. Promote a time-limited deal to make it even more effective. Check out the following examples:
- TUESDAY SPECIAL: Enjoy 20% off your entire order from 2-4 PM!
- Save BIG! Get 25% off any combo meal this Wednesday from 3-5 PM ONLY.
Best Practices for Using Off-Peak Promotions to Increase Restaurant Sales
To make these campaigns work for you:
- Choose 1-2 promos per month to focus on: Don’t overwhelm your customers or staff.
- Track the results of each promotion. Use simple methods like counting redeemed coupons or asking staff to log deal-related orders.
- Test and adapt: If one offer flops, try a different one next month. Consistency and creativity are key.
- Start simple: Social media posts and printed flyers in to-go bags are easy, affordable ways to kick off a campaign. If you have the resources, adding email and SMS marketing will supercharge your efforts.
By combining these strategies you can motivate customers to visit during off-peak times and keep sales flowing throughout the week.
Want more strategies to fill your tables every day of the week? Download our free Magnetic Restaurant Marketing Guide and start boosting your sales today!
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