10 Weekly Promotion Ideas to Fill Slow Days

Before implementing promotions, it's crucial to understand your specific traffic patterns. Research from OpenTable and Resy shows that Tuesday and Wednesday are consistently the slowest days for most restaurants, with Monday close behind. However, patterns vary by location, cuisine type, and local demographics.

Analyze your POS data over at least 3-6 months to identify: - Your slowest day of the week - Slowest time periods (lunch vs. dinner) - Seasonal variations - Weather impact on traffic

This data-driven approach ensures your promotions target the right times. A study by Cornell University's School of Hotel Administration found that restaurants using data analytics to time promotions saw 18% higher redemption rates compared to those using generic schedules.

Extending happy hour into slow periods is one of the most effective strategies. Research from the National Restaurant Association shows that happy hour promotions can increase weekday traffic by 25-35%. Instead of the traditional 4-6 PM window, consider:

• Early Bird Happy Hour (2-5 PM) to capture afternoon diners
• Late Night Happy Hour (9-11 PM) for post-work crowds
• All-Day Happy Hour on your slowest day

A study published in the Journal of Foodservice Business Research found that restaurants offering extended happy hours saw average check increases of 12% even with discounted prices, as customers ordered more items and stayed longer.

Two-for-one promotions are particularly effective for filling tables during slow periods. According to research from the Restaurant Marketing Association, these promotions can increase table occupancy by 40-50% on slow days while maintaining profitability through increased beverage and dessert sales.

Best practices: - Limit to specific days (e.g., "Two-for-One Tuesdays") - Require both diners to order entrees - Exclude premium items or set a price cap - Promote heavily on social media 2-3 days before

Data from Toast POS shows that restaurants implementing two-for-one promotions see average party sizes increase from 2.1 to 2.8 people, boosting total revenue despite the discount.

Targeting specific professional groups creates a sense of community and builds loyalty. Research from the Cornell Hospitality Quarterly shows that industry-specific promotions have 60% higher repeat visit rates compared to general discounts.

Effective industry targets: - Healthcare workers (hospitals nearby) - Teachers and educators - Service industry workers - Students (college towns)

Require proof of employment (ID badge, pay stub) and offer 15-20% off. A case study from a restaurant chain found that "Teacher Tuesdays" increased Tuesday traffic by 45% and created a loyal customer base that visited on other days at full price.

Packaging creates perceived value and increases average check size. Research from the International Journal of Hospitality Management shows that packaged promotions increase average spend by 22% compared to individual item discounts.

Create packages like: - Appetizer + Two Entrees + Dessert for $X - Wine + Dinner for Two - Three-Course Prix Fixe

Price packages at 15-20% below à la carte total to create value perception while maintaining margins. A study of 200 restaurants found that date night packages increased weekday dinner traffic by 30% and average check by $18 per table.

Loyalty programs are powerful retention tools. According to research from Harvard Business Review, customers enrolled in loyalty programs visit 23% more frequently and spend 12% more per visit. Offering double or triple points on slow days incentivizes visits without immediate revenue loss.

Implementation: - Double points on specific slow days - Bonus points for weekday visits - Points multiplier for off-peak hours

Data from a major restaurant loyalty platform shows that double-point promotions increase slow-day visits by 35% among loyalty members, with 68% of those visits including non-member guests.

User-generated content campaigns create buzz and drive traffic. Research from Sprout Social shows that restaurants using social media challenges see 3x higher engagement rates and 25% increase in foot traffic during campaign periods.

Effective challenge ideas: - "Show us your Tuesday meal" photo contest - Check-in challenges with prizes - Review challenges (leave review, get discount) - Share and tag friends for entry

A case study from a regional chain found that a "Taco Tuesday Challenge" increased Tuesday sales by 42% over 8 weeks, with participants sharing an average of 2.3 posts each, generating significant organic reach.

Early dining promotions shift traffic to slower time periods. Research from the National Restaurant Association shows that early bird specials (typically 4-6 PM) can increase early evening traffic by 30-40% while freeing up prime-time tables for full-price diners.

Structure: - 20-25% discount on entrees - Limited to specific time window - May include appetizer or dessert - Promote as "Early Bird" not "Senior" to attract all ages

A study of 150 restaurants found that early bird specials increased 4-6 PM traffic by 38% and overall daily revenue by 12%, as early diners often ordered drinks and additional items at full price.

Themed events create excitement and differentiate your restaurant. Research from Eventbrite shows that themed events have 45% higher attendance rates compared to generic promotions and create stronger emotional connections with customers.

Popular themes: - Trivia Night (partner with local trivia company) - Live Music Night - Wine Tasting Night - Game Night (board games, cards) - Cultural Theme Nights (Italian Night, Taco Tuesday)

A restaurant group study found that themed nights increased slow-day traffic by 52% and created recurring weekly events that customers planned around, building consistent weekday revenue streams.

Combo meals simplify ordering and increase perceived value. Research from the Journal of Consumer Research shows that combo offers increase purchase likelihood by 34% and average transaction value by 18%.

Create combos like: - Lunch Combo: Sandwich + Soup + Drink - Power Lunch: Salad + Protein + Drink - Family Combo: Multiple entrees + sides + drinks

Price at 20-25% discount from individual items. A fast-casual chain study found that combo promotions increased weekday lunch traffic by 28% and average check by $4.50, with 72% of customers choosing combos over individual items.

Referral programs leverage existing customers to bring new ones. Research from the Wharton School of Business shows that referred customers have 16% higher lifetime value and 25% higher retention rates than non-referred customers.

Structure: - "Bring a Friend" discount (both get 20% off) - Referral rewards (refer 3 friends, get free meal) - Group discounts (4+ people get 15% off)

A restaurant loyalty study found that referral programs increased slow-day traffic by 31%, with referred customers visiting 2.3x more frequently than average new customers. The program paid for itself through increased frequency and word-of-mouth marketing.

Track key metrics to optimize your promotions:

• Traffic increase: Compare promoted day to same day previous weeks
• Revenue impact: Total revenue, not just check average
• Profitability: Factor in food costs and labor
• Customer acquisition: New vs. returning customers
• Redemption rate: Percentage of customers using promotion
• Long-term impact: Do customers return on non-promo days?

Use POS analytics to track these metrics. Research from the Restaurant Technology Network shows that restaurants tracking promotion metrics see 22% better ROI on marketing spend compared to those who don't measure results.