While what usually comes to mind when we think seasonal events in hospo are Christmas, New Year’s, Valentine’s Day and Mother’s Day, we wanted to spotlight an equally celebrated holiday that’s just around the corner.
Falling on the 1st of September when most of the world celebrates it in June, Father’s Day is a rather different ballgame down under – in a good way! Not only does it mark the start of spring, but Aussies are also ready to splash out on over $860 million for gifts, meals and more with an average $112 per person spend. A fifth of those surveyed also typically plan to dine out or gift dad food and drinks for the occasion. Cue, your venue.
It’s a big day for dads, and an even bigger opportunity for your restaurant to make the most of it. Now Book It’s hospitality experts have put together this ultimate guide to help you streamline operations, enhance the experience and maximise revenue this Father’s Day.
Put these tips into action:
1. Offer special menus, promotions or experiences
There’s nothing like a special experience to celebrate the number one man. Create a special Father’s Day menu or experience to entice customers to pick your venue for the occasion – think family menus with add-on drinks for extra value. Now Book It customer Delhi ‘O’ Delhi does a Father’s Day dinner with a free glass of wine on arrival.
Make sure these seasonal promotions or events are prominently displayed in your venue and online to make it easy to book. Your table reservation software should also allow you to feature these options, making them the focal point of the booking experience.
Here are some ideas to play around with:
- Prix fixe menu
- Free gifts for dad
- Father’s Day steak night
- Bottomless drinks for dad
- Outdoor family-style grill event
- Father’s Day brunch
- Sport games screening
- Special dish on the house
- Dads eat free
- Run a Father’s Day weekend to extend the celebrations
- Social media photo contest
- Offer gift cards for dads
- Partner with a local brewery for curated gift packs
2. Promote your Father's Day event early
Whatever you end up doing at your venue, the rule of thumb is to begin promoting Father’s Day celebrations well in advance. A good place to start is by updating your website and social media pages with special Father’s Day menus, packages, or promotions.
Like many other occasions, Father’s Day sees venues getting booked up quickly. Use automated email campaigns or SMS notifications to remind customers about making reservations early to avoid disappointment.
Your booking platform can be a powerful ally in giving these customer communications a personal touch. Look at past reservation data to pull a list of customers who booked at your restaurant last Father’s Day – chances are they’d gun for making the celebrations an annual tradition.
3. Personalise the experience
When customers are torn between two venues for a celebration, the little details like decorations can put your restaurant in the lead. Use themed decor to create a festive atmosphere for the occasion, such as table centerpieces or simple banner for photo op.
Online booking systems can also help you gather valuable information about your guests. For instance, if a guest mentions celebrating Father’s Day in their reservation, make a note of it and ensure your staff is aware. You can then seat them at a decorated table or serve a free drink on arrival to make the experience extra special.
Upsells also play a critical role here! Since most bookings would be made by families (rather than dads themselves), most would be willing to splurge on a bottle of wine or a celebratory charcuterie board to kick off the party.
4. Optimise reservations for the day
If you know your venue gets booked up during occasions, consider using a standby list that lets customers stay in the reservation queue to make sure you’re not missing potential covers. Managing the flow of customers is also crucial to prevent overcrowding, especially when everyone wants the prime dinnertime slot.
Use your booking platform to set limits on the number of reservations per time slot – note that this should be done weeks ahead of time! Not only does this help in ensuring an excellent dining experience for your guests but also smooth operations for your team. By managing reservations with care, your staff can also afford to provide more attentive and personable service to every guest.
5. Plan ahead for a busy service
Hospo pros like you know that half the work happens pre-service. When families are streaming into venues on the only day of the year we celebrate Father’s Day, service can get chaotic! That’s where efficient table management comes in.
Consider whether your usual layout requires changes for the occasion. Likely, switching tables for two into group-friendly configurations will give you a better chance for more covers on Father’s Day. Leverage your reservations platform to keep an eye on the type of bookings being made and adjust on the fly.
A booking system that integrates with your point-of-sale (POS) system is key to helping manage table assignments and reducing wait times for guests. Check reservations, close out tables, split bills and more from a single device, instead of scrambling with multiple platforms.
6. Follow up with guests
A big day like Father’s Day often leaves guests with a memorable dining experience. That means it’s the best time to follow up with a request for reviews, feedback or a prompt to make their next booking! Positive reviews, especially when associated with happy occasions, can significantly boost your restaurant’s reputation and attract future customers.
The work doesn’t end here – after the celebration, make a note to revisit your booking data as it can provide valuable insights for marketing your next event. You could send the same guests who booked this year a reminder when next Father’s Day rolls around, or even run with an invitation to book for something a little closer like Melbourne Cup. The possibilities are endless!
Make Father’s Day a smashing success
Father’s Day is a unique opportunity for restaurant owners to deliver exceptional dining experiences and make a little extra dough. By getting creative with celebrations and strategic with your booking system, you can manage reservations more efficiently, personalise the experience for dads and families, all while driving greater revenue. How about that to usher in the start of spring?
Happy planning and best of luck for a fantastic Father’s Day!
Need some help in the bookings department? Now Book It supports venues in easy table management and providing seamless guest experiences. Schedule a demo to learn more today.
