5 Black Friday Restaurant Promotions & Prep Tips

According to a recent National Retail Federation (NRF) survey, more than 182 million Americans are making plans to go shopping on Thanksgiving, Black Friday and into Cyber Monday this year. Moreover, the survey also states that Black Friday was still the most popular in-store shopping day, with 130.7 million people planning to shop on this day. Since the crowds will certainly be out, there could be a steady flow of people coming to your restaurant to either dine in or order takeout. So how can you be prepared for any potential spike in traffic? Better yet, how can you attract those hungry shoppers to your place? If you’re working on a game plan, here are some Black Friday restaurant promotions and prep tips to try this year.

1. Prepare Your Staff 

Wednesday through Sunday could get hectic, especially if your establishment is close to stores, theaters or entertainment districts. Meet with your cooks, servers and other staff members earlier in the week to discuss a plan and make schedules.

Make sure to accentuate top-notch care despite how busy things might get. Stress that friendly and quick service is important on Friday and throughout the rest of the weekend. A good experience not only will make patrons feel welcome, but it also might result in good tips.

2. Create an Incentive to Come

Retailers are offering plenty of deals and discounts so folks shop at their locations on Black Friday. Since there are a lot of other restaurants competing for service on that day, offering some special Black Friday deals could help draw in the crowd. Offering gift cards or free entrée vouchers for your restaurant is always an easy incentive. You can either give them away leading up to Black Friday or on the actual day. No matter which route you choose, remember to create some parameters. For instance, only give away gift cards or coupons to orders exceeding a certain dollar amount and limit to one per table.

If you opt for a giveaway on Black Friday, consider doing a fun doorbuster event. Maybe the first 10 customers get a $20 gift card, and the next 20 get coupons for 20% off. Just remember to include clear disclaimers in your messaging. If you want those gift cards or coupons to be redeemable on the next visit, be sure it’s clearly stated.

3. Partner with a Local Business

A lot of small shops can get lost in the shuffle among major retailers on Black Friday. See if there is a nearby store you can partner with to attract people to both locations. Here are some ideas you can incorporate:

• Take 15% to 20% off a customer’s bill when they show you a receipt or voucher from the partnering store.


• Offer a voucher or coupon that is redeemable at the store you’re partnering with.

That not only helps save your patrons some money while shopping, but it also encourages them to support a small local business.

4. Spread the Word on Social Media

So you have an awesome menu and a cool promotion. But how do you publicize it? Your restaurant’s social media channels are the perfect places to promote your restaurant this Black Friday. Follow these tips to get the ultimate views:

• Post shareable content like pictures and videos


• Include the appropriate hashtags related to Black Friday


• Start getting the message out there at the beginning of the week

Aside from standard posts, consider using Facebook’s or Instagram’s sponsored ads. These allow you to target potential customers within a specific radius of your establishment. Set up geo-target paid ads so nearby shoppers can get a glimpse on what you’re offering. Whether it’s in ads or organic posts, think about tying one of the incentives above to your social media channels. For instance, your post could include a promo code that takes 10% or 20% off a Black Friday meal.

5. Promote Upcoming Holiday Events & Deals

Since the number of patrons might increase on Black Friday and over the rest of Thanksgiving weekend, it’s the perfect time to promote different events and deals that can bring customers back in. Use posters, flyers and table tent inserts to advertise everything from an ugly sweater night to a virtual holiday trivia contest.

Offices and organizations are always looking for holiday party catering or a venue. Put up signage letting everyone know that your place has special menus or space available (depending on local health guidelines). Are you planning to hold an in-person or a virtual New Year’s Eve bash at your restaurant this year? Start planting the seed in customers’ heads on Black Friday by posting all the details.