’Tis the season to indulge. After a topsy-turvy 12 months, wrap things up by giving people a way to treat themselves. Holiday food is the perfect gift—it satisfies their appetites and builds your bottom line.
Whether you operate a restaurant, a catering program, a healthcare community or a school foodservice program, it’s time to get holiday-ready. Off-premise dining is a bigger part of the picture than ever, you’ll want to look at our “Unwrap Holiday Profits” guide to success, and consult with your Gordon Food Service Sales Representative for ideas and recipes to make the season more merry. Here are some considerations:
Plan for success
- Appeal to shoppers. Retail shopping will look different this year, so offer a way for people to save time on meals.
- Spice up weekends. The holidays bring weekend get-togethers, so offer LTOs available only on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays.
- Think portability. Take-home holiday meals will be big, so plan meal kits with an eye toward simplicity, indulgence and presentation.
Get seasonal with it
- Classic flavors. Chocolate, pumpkin, cinnamon, cranberry and gingerbread suit any menu.
- Warm things up. Dress up hot chocolates and ciders with some seasonal flair.
- Honor traditions. Turkey, ham and shrimp dishes offer holiday comfort. Don’t forget holiday pies.
Promote, promote, promote
- Give the gift of food. Gift cards make a great stocking stuffer.
- Go social. Use digital channels to promote specials, offering a freebie with digital orders.
- Think ahead. Tuck a discount coupon into takeout orders and promote upcoming specials and LTOs.
Put a bow on it
- Lift spirits. Increase sales by letting customers know part of the proceeds will go to charity.
- Encourage giving. Give a discount to customers who donate a canned good.
- Say thanks. Offer customers small bags with masks, hand sanitizers and holiday treats.
