Let’s face it: costs are climbing, foot traffic’s unpredictable, and everyone’s feeling a little uneasy about extra spending. It’s a tough time to run a restaurant. But not all is gloom and doom… Restaurants using this proven revenue strategy are seeing an uptick in sales despite the sluggish economy: Limited-Time Offerings, or LTOs.
LTOs aren’t just for the big brands with giant marketing budgets. Whether you’re running a single taco stand, a neighborhood burger joint, or a counter-service pizza shop, a well-executed LTO can bring in new customers, bring back your regulars, and boost your sales with minimal risk.
But to really win with LTOs, you need more than just a new item on the menu. You need a solid base to build on: a simplified core menu, a smart way to spread the word, and a low-friction ordering experience.
Here’s how to make it all work.
Why Offer Limited-Time Offerings (LTOs)?
An LTO serves two major purposes:
- It lets you sell something new at a higher price point (think a deluxe version of your best-seller or something seasonal and crave-worthy).
- It gives your customers a reason to act now (because it won’t be around forever).
LTOs tap into FOMO (fear of missing out). That urgency drives action. According to Technomic, 55% of customers say LTOs influence where they decide to eat. That number’s been climbing, which tells you customers want this kind of excitement on the menu.
3 Ways to Make Your Restaurant’s Limited-Time Offerings Stand Out
1. Simplify Your Core Menu
Before you launch a new item, take a look at your regular menu. If it’s bloated with 50+ items, your LTO won’t stand out, and that’s a problem. A bloated menu also eats away at your profits: more food waste, slower service, higher labor, and more mistakes.
Here’s the golden rule: If you’re known for everything, you’re known for nothing.
Ask yourself these three questions to help you create a more profitable core menu:
- What are your top 5 best-selling items?
- Which dishes are easy to prep, fast to make, and have great margins?
- Which ones get consistently good feedback?
Stick with those. Be the best at a few things, not just OK at everything.
2. Tell People About Your Restaurant’s Limited-Time Offerings
Even the best new menu item won’t help if no one knows about it… This is where restaurant marketing comes into play. But you don’t need a fancy ad agency or a full-time marketer. Just keep it simple and consistent.
Here’s what works:
- Take great photos. Natural light, minimal distractions. Let the food shine. (Need some inspo? Check out Restaurant Food Photography for Independent Restaurant Owners.)
- Build hype before launch. Start posting on social media a few days before the LTO goes live with teaser photos or behind-the-scenes prep.
- Stay visible during the run. Post 2-3 times a week. Update your Stories. Keep it fresh.
- Send 2-3 emails. One before, one during, one last-call.
- Train your team. Have your counter staff mention it when people order or pick up. Word-of-mouth is powerful.
- Add menu highlights: Put up in-store signs and highlight across your digital restaurant menus
3. Make It Easy to Order
Your customers are busy. If it takes too long to decide or too many steps to order, you lose sales. Simplifying your menu helps (we already talked about that), but you also need a straight-forward, fast ordering system, especially online.
Why it matters:
- More revenue: A good commission-free online ordering system saves you up to 30% in third-party fees.
- Fewer mistakes: Customers place the order themselves = less chance of a messed-up ticket.
- Faster service = happier guests. Simple as that.
Pro Tip: Make your LTO the first thing people see when they hit your online menu. Use a banner or a pop-up if your system allows it.
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Menu Pricing Calculator
Need help pricing your core menu or LTOs? Don’t guess. Get it right the first time.
Our free Menu Pricing Calculator lets you easily calculate the ideal price based on your food costs and target margins. Whether you’re pricing your next bestseller or a seasonal special, get the confidence to charge what it’s actually worth.
Wrap Up on Restaurant Limited-Time Offerings
LTOs aren’t just a gimmick. They’re a smart way to drive excitement, raise prices without backlash, and give customers a reason to choose you again (and again). Just keep your core menu tight, market your offer well, and make it dead simple to order.
Got questions or want to share your latest LTO hit? Drop us a line, we’d love to hear from you.
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