Prep Your Restaurant for a Busy Thanksgiving Eve and Thanksgiving Day
Thanksgiving is fast approaching, and you know what that means—turkey, cranberry sauce, and pumpkin pie! If you’re a restaurant owner or event manager, there are huge business opportunities on both Thanksgiving Eve and Thanksgiving Day. Be prepared to serve families and friends who wish to gather and share some yummy fall food and drinks. Whether your guests want to meet up at your bar for Thanksgiving Eve beers, sit down in your dining area for a full Thanksgiving dinner, or take-out catering options to spend time at home with loved ones, think about how to prep your restaurant for a bountiful holiday week.
Scheduling large group reservations, private bookings, and catering orders doesn’t have to be stressful, and you don’t necessarily need to add staff if you prepare. Having the right planning and tools, you can turn Thanksgiving Eve and Thanksgiving Day into wonderful experiences at your restaurant – that leave both your guests and your team thankful! Here are some proven ways to think ahead:
1. Prepare Your Thanksgiving Space
If you’re hosting in-house events, ensure your restaurant, bar, private dining room, and event space are ready. Cleanliness is key, but also think about the layout of tables in spaces and adding Thanksgiving and fall décor. How can you maximize your space for Thanksgiving business? Simple, festive additions can make the venue feel warm and inviting. A few fall-themed table settings can go a long way.
2. Create a Thanksgiving Menu
When it comes to Thanksgiving, the classics never disappoint. Think about creative spins on traditional ingredients. Offering a simplified menu makes it easier for the kitchen and speeds up the decision-making process for guests. If you also provide catering for pick-up, make sure to have a similar streamlined menu that is easy to transport and reheat.
3. Open Up Reservations and Pre-Orders Early
Start taking group reservations for your event spaces and catering options at least a month in advance. The more you can lock in before this busy time, the smoother your operations will be.
4. Delegate and Communicate
For an event to be successful, communication is essential. Your front-of-house staff, your chefs, and your event managers need to be in sync at all times. A platform like Tripleseat allows for easy communication between your internal team. Push notifications about changes in booking or menu choices can be instantly relayed, eliminating the dreaded game of telephone and ensuring everyone is on the same page.
5. Offer Flexible Payment and Contract Options
Today’s customer is looking for flexibility and ease. Electronic payments and document signing remove roadblocks in the booking process. With Tripleseat, you can easily send branded documents directly from the platform, from event contracts to invoices. Guests can review, electronically sign and make payments without leaving their homes or offices.
6. Monitor Thanksgiving Data
Use Tripleseat’s reporting capabilities to monitor the performance of your Thanksgiving events. You can pull various reports to analyze sales, feedback, and more. This data can be invaluable in refining your strategy not only for the next holiday season but for future private events as well.
Tripleseat Will Make You Thankful All Year Long
Thanksgiving is a time for gratitude, and your guests will be grateful for a well-organized, seamless experience. It’s a tall order, but with the right tools, and if you prep your restaurant for Thanksgiving, you can host events that are as stress-free for you as it is enjoyable for your guests.
Say goodbye to the stress and hello to a successful, profitable Thanksgiving event with Tripleseat. Learn more and book a demo today.
