Make Mother’s Day work for you.

Restaurants will welcome roughly 35% of Americans on Mother’s Day. With all that traffic, make sure your restaurant is ready with promotions that will attract diners and fill the house. Try these marketing ideas to win over customers and boost reservations.

• Make It Memorable
  • Stand out from the crowd of standard Mother’s Day meals with a small gift or token for Moms who dine in on Sunday. Add a more personal touch to the experience by offering Moms a single flower, a complimentary glass of champagne, or a small gift card to use in the future. Alternatively, consider having a staff member or photographer take a photo of Moms and their families at their table so they can commemorate the holiday. These small gestures will help elevate the experience above a normal brunch or dinner.
• Be Family Friendly
  • Make dining out easy for the whole family by offering a kids menu or kids pricing on a set menu. Additionally, consider staying open for extended hours on Mother’s Day to accommodate families who may have other activities planned and want to eat earlier or later in the day.
• The Mother Of All Gifts
  • Many families will not be able to dine together on Mother’s Day, so promoting gift cards to Mom’s favorite restaurant is a great alternative for those who still want to give a special present. Promote gift cards alongside reservations and consider offering a limited time gift card special, such as a $10 bonus for every $50 in gift cards purchased to sweeten the deal.
• Keep It Real
  • Audiences love personal stories to which they can relate. If you have a family owned establishment, share the story of the Moms running the restaurant on social media. Or, ask staff members to share photos or stories of their Moms which you can use to highlight the holiday. To take it a step further, ask fans to submit photos or stories in a social media contest for the chance to win a gift card or free Mother’s Day meal.

Once your promotions are confirmed, get the word out on social media, send an update to your email list, and take advantage of free marketing opportunities through OpenTable. And don’t forget to update any special hours you may have on Yelp and Google so customers know when the restaurant is open. By planning ahead and executing exciting campaigns, you’ll prepare your restaurant for a strong showing on Mother’s Day.
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