Posted by Tim on September 19, 2014
Fall is a triple witching time for a restaurant’s takeout and delivery business. Summer travel schedules are mostly done, allowing for more routine dining. Takeout and delivery gets a boost in business from the double punch of college and professional football games. Then add October for playoff baseball and the World Series. Some people love ordering in and enjoying the game at home, rather than visiting their local watering hole.
What sells during game time? Wings see a 45% increase in takeout orders during football season, while orders for beef and broccoli see a 26% jump in the Chinese food category. Pizza, of course, is off the charts during sporting events.
What can you do to
draw that online takeout business to your restaurant? Here are some tips:
• Promote specials to customers ordering online. Order an appetizer for a game and get 50% off a second appetizer.
• Craft entree and combos that are particularly applicable because they work well for takeout. These online combos should be “guy-oriented” – like pizza, wings, sandwiches, chips and guacamole - things that go well with sporting events and groups of enthusiastic spectators.
