Valentine’s Day is more than just an occasion for restaurant businesses. It’s a perfect opportunity to attract and impress hundreds of couples eagerly looking for special deals. Did you know it is the second busiest holiday for restaurants? So, what are your plans to make the most of this occasion? Not ready yet? Don’t worry, we are here to fuel your creativity as we are presenting 15 best Valentine’s Day promotion ideas for restaurants.
1. Announce Your Valentine’s Specials!
Launch something fresh like a “Love is in the Air” campaign. Why are we suggesting this? Because catchy phrases like these strike a chord with your target audience, and soon your tagline will be stuck in their heads 24/7. Smart, right?
So, get ready to announce your Valentine’s specials and start your campaign. Promote it across all channels like social media, your menu, exclusive deals, events, emails, and your website. Make sure it’s clear: reservations are open for the most romantic season of the year!
Here is how you have to carry this out:
Set an Early Stage
First, you have to prepare a special Valentine’s Day Offer and announce it. It can be done through creating a romantic atmosphere at your restaurant. Draw people’s attention towards your store by offering exclusive deals, using balloons or any kind of highlights.
Use multiple channels to share the news
Start with social media. Showcase your new Valentine’s special decoration or settings. Then, consistently post teaser content such as sneak peeks of your special menu, and a countdown, behind the scenes to create excitement among your audience. Use special hashtags to instil excitement.
Then, comes emails. Send out a Valentine’s Day special newsletter to your customer list announcing the event. Encourage them to make early reservations. Prompt them to do so by offering a glimpse of an exclusive menu or special discounts for booking the table early.
Don’t forget to make announcement on the website as well. Use banners and pop-ups to direct visitors to your Valentine’s Day landing page.
2. Come Up With a Theme
Valentine’s Day is a special day for lovers that’s why you need to create an extraordinary atmosphere for them. According to the National Restaurant Association, 21% of diners said they would choose a restaurant that has a special theme for Valentine’s Day.
You can either stick to classic candles, roses, and typical romantic decor or go above and beyond to offer something even more creative. For example, you can also offer a Galentine’s getaway for female friendships or release some special offerings for singles as well so no one feels left out. That can also turn out to be key for you to become popular for not making Valentine’s special just for couples, but also for those who are not able to celebrate it this time.
3. Offer At-Home Options
Customer convenience should always be your top priority, no matter what occasion. So, even during Valentine’s week offer delivery and takeout. Since these two modes are very highly popular among peers, some people like to celebrate their special day right from the comfort of their own place. You can make their personal time extraordinary by offering at-home options like specially curated Valentine’s Day meal packages or romantic-themed menus.
You can also consider providing customizable meal kits, where customers can prepare their favourite dishes together. This will allow the couple to engage in an interesting activity. It would be helpful for people who often find themselves not being able to hold conversations for longer times. Ideas like these can make their date super interesting and effortless.
Pair this with a premium delivery service that ensures timely and safe delivery, or provide the option for a contactless pick-up. You can also include add-ons like flowers, chocolates, or candles, allowing customers to surprise their loved ones with a full package that makes their celebration even more memorable.
4. Promote Gift Cards
Customers really like to receive a restaurant gift card as a Valentine’s Day gift. So, if your customer didn’t dine in at your restaurant, a gift card might make a great gift for future date nights. It is the best way to promote your restaurant as it leads to repeat business and attracts new customers.
When someone receives a gift card, they’re not only getting a thoughtful present, but they’re also likely to return to your restaurant to redeem it. You can even offer special Valentine’s Day gift card promotions, like bonus amounts for larger purchases or exclusive deals for cardholders. This encourages recipients to come in sooner and spend more, helping you boost sales during the post-Valentine rush and beyond.
5. Include Families
While many restaurants focus on couples for Valentine’s Day, you can stand out by targeting families and including the kids in your offers. McAlister’s Deli does this perfectly. They create promotions that appeal to the entire family. They offered a pack of kid-friendly meals, themed desserts, and fun activities. Due to this strategy, many families choose to celebrate their holiday at their restaurant. By focusing on the same, you expand your customer base and drive more foot traffic, ensuring your restaurant becomes the go-to spot for everyone this Valentine’s season.
6. Last Minute Incentive
According to data from MoneyWise, the average cost of dining for two is around $99. So if you tend to offer discounts or incentives on the total bill, you can make your restaurant more appealing to the customers. These small perks can encourage customers to choose you over and over again.
If you’re offering something complimentary, make sure to keep the terms simple and straightforward to avoid any logistical issues during billing.
Another impactful but small gesture is offering a taxi ride. You can partner with a cab company for Valentine’s Day to provide customers with a convenient and safe transportation option, making their experience even more special.
7. Eleventh Hour Email
As a restaurant business, you know many customers wait until the last minute to make a reservation. So, start promoting early as it is equally important to cater to these last-minute planners.
To reach these late-minute customers you can make last-minute emails where you can inform them that time is running out. If you have a loyalty program, don’t forget to target those customers with personalized offers based on their previous behaviour or membership level.
8. Create a Valentine’s Day “Love Story” Campaign
Ask your customers to share their love stories via social media or through a dedicated landing page on your website. Then, you can make the best stories win a free Valentine’s Day dinner or exclusive offers. You can feature these stories on your social media channels, website, and email campaigns to prompt more people to participate.
9. Geo-targeted Valentine’s Day Ads with Surprise Perks
You can also use geo-targeting through Facebook or Google Ads to push last-minute Valentine’s promotions to people who are near your restaurant. For instance, create a limited-time offer for a free glass of champagne if they book a table within the next 12 hours. Make sure the offer is exclusive and feels time-sensitive.
10. Influencer-Hosted Valentine’s Day Giveaway
You can also partner with a local influencer or micro-influencers who align with your brand to host a Valentine’s Day giveaway. They can promote your restaurant and encourage their followers to engage in a simple contest (e.g., tagging a partner or friend). The winner gets a romantic dinner experience at your restaurant.
11. Valentine’s Day Flash Deals via SMS Marketing
Another great way to build anticipation is by sending out SMS texts to your customers announcing surprise Valentine’s Day flash deals. For example, you can offer 10% off or a free dessert for those who book within the next 24 hours. Make it a limited-time offer and use SMS as a direct channel to drive last-minute reservations and create a sense of urgency.
12. Partnership with Dating Apps for Targeted Campaigns
Team up with a popular dating app (like Tinder, Bumble, or Hinge) to offer exclusive promotions to users who are looking for their perfect Valentine’s date. You could offer discounts for singles who show their profile or feature special menus for couples who mention the partnership. It’s a creative way to tap into a highly relevant audience.
13. “Romantic Dine & Share” Video Challenge
If you want to be all over social media you can run contests like these:
Propose at our restaurant on February 14th, and your dinner is on us.
Capture the magical moment and share it on Instagram or TikTok, tagging our restaurant and using #LoveAt………. to qualify. Our team will be ready to make it unforgettable, from the perfect lighting to a surprise champagne toast. Whether it’s a candlelit dinner or a grand surprise, we’re here to set the stage for your love story.
Book your table now!
14. Set Up an Outdoor Pop-Up
Invite a band, and set a pop-up door. And, promote this setting all over social media. People would love to enjoy a magical evening filled with cozy seating, fairy lights, and a date night under the stars. You can also set up a photo booth close to the pop-up where couples can capture photos at a themed backdrop with some props on!
15. Partner Up with Creative Agency
Valentine’s Day is approaching fast! To maximize your sales during this event, you should partner with a marketing agency that handles all the hard work for you. SrveUp is an all-round marketing agency helping restaurants achieve brand awareness and skyrocketing sales. Got questions? Book your free consultation with us today!
