Thanksgiving is a time for family, friends, and feasting. It’s also a great opportunity for restaurants to put their marketing skills to the test and bring in some new customers. In this blog post, we’ll take a look at some of the best Thanksgiving marketing ideas and restaurant promotion strategies for 2023.

We’ll also share a few tips on creating an effective campaign to help your business thrive during this busy holiday season.

So, whether you’re looking to attract diners this week leading up to Thanksgiving or want to capitalize on the turkey-day rush, read for some great tips!

Thanksgiving Marketing Ideas

The holiday season is a busy time for restaurants. Families are getting together to celebrate, friends are catching up over dinner, and office parties are in full swing. If you’re not prepared, the holiday rush can be overwhelming. But if you plan and get creative with your marketing, you can turn the holiday season into a bonanza for your business.

Here are some Thanksgiving marketing ideas to help get you started:

1. Host a Thanksgiving-themed Event

Get into the holiday spirit by hosting a special event at your restaurant. This could be anything from a Thanksgiving-themed buffet to live music or a special holiday prix fixe menu. Whatever you choose, make sure it’s something that will get your guests in the Thanksgiving spirit!

2. Offer a Thanksgiving Feast to Go

For those who want to enjoy a traditional Thanksgiving meal but don’t feel like cooking, you can offer a Thanksgiving feast to go. This could be anything from pre-made side dishes to whole turkeys and pies. This is a great option for busy families or those hosting out-of-town guests. All they need to do is heat and serve, and you’ll get the credit for an amazing meal.

Make sure to promote this ahead of time and offer google food ordering, curbside pick up, or delivery options to make it as convenient as possible for your customers.

3. Design Thanksgiving Catering Packages

Design catering packages that make it easy for customers to order everything they need for their Thanksgiving feast. Offer a variety of package options to suit different group sizes and budgets.

Your catering packages should include all essentials, like turkey, stuffing, gravy, cranberry sauce, and some of your signature dishes. But don’t stop there! Get creative with your side dishes and desserts! Add seasonal menu items such as pumpkin pie and pecan pie to your offerings.

Thanksgiving is just around the corner, and it will be a busy day. You need to be prepared to be more efficient by automating all off-premise orders.

Book free a demo today and see how easy it can be to make Thanksgiving more profitable for your business.

4. Give Back to the Community

To promote your restaurant, consider getting involved in community events. A great way to give back and get your brand in front of potential customers is by donating a portion of your proceeds to a local charity. This makes your customers feel good about supporting your business and helps promote your brand as a caring and community-minded company.

5. Team Up With Local Businesses

Partnering with a local business is a great way to reach new customers and create a buzz around your restaurant. For example, you could team up with a nearby pumpkin patch and offer a discount to customers who show their receipt from the pumpkin patch. This is a great way to attract families and get them in the door during the busy Thanksgiving season.

6. Turkey Trot Partnerships

Another great way to promote your restaurant during Thanksgiving is to partner with local turkey trots or other fall races. Hand out coupons or samples at the finish line to attract race participants and their families to your restaurant. This is a great way to generate new business and build brand awareness.

7. Thanksgiving Brunch Menu Ideas

If you want something different this Thanksgiving, why not try serving a special holiday brunch? This is a great way to show off your culinary skills and give your guests a unique dining experience. Here are some ideas for festive and delicious Thanksgiving brunch dishes:

• Pumpkin spice waffles with maple syrup
• Turkey bacon and egg skillet
• Cranberry orange muffins
• Sweet potato biscuits with honey butter
• Quiche with roasted Brussels sprouts, cranberries, and goat cheese
• Apple cinnamon French toast casserole

8. Take Thanksgiving Restaurant Reservations

If you’re planning on being open for business on Thanksgiving Day, taking reservations is a good idea. You can promote your reservation availability on your eCommerce website and social media channels, and make sure to list any special Thanksgiving menu items you’ll be offering. This will help you manage your workload and ensure your guests have a great experience.

9. Serve Thanksgiving-themed Drinks

Get into the holiday spirit by serving Thanksgiving-themed drinks at your restaurant!

Thanksgiving is a great time to get creative with your drink menu design. Offer Thanksgiving-themed cocktails like a pumpkin spice martini, a cranberry cosmopolitan, or a cranberry Moscow Mule. You can also get festive with non-alcoholic options, like a spiced apple cider mocktail or pumpkin spice latte.

10. Create Specials and Coupons

Make Thanksgiving Day special at your restaurant with discounts and coupons! Show your customers you’re thankful for their business by offering a free appetizer with the purchase of an entree or a discount on takeout orders. You could also offer discounts to customers who come in and mention that they’re thankful for something specific (like your delicious food!). Whatever you do, make sure your Thanksgiving specials are ones your customers won’t be able to resist!

11. Get Social

Social media is a powerful marketing tool – so make sure you’re using it to its full potential this Thanksgiving. Post festive photos of your food, decorate your profile with a Thanksgiving-themed overlay and use holiday-related hashtags to reach a wider audience.

You could even host a social media contest where people can share their Thanksgiving photos to win prizes. And make sure you’re promoting any Thanksgiving specials or events you’re running. With a little effort, you can reach a whole new group of people and get them interested in your restaurant.

12. Get the Word Out

In addition to sharing your specials and coupons on social media, be sure to spread the word in other ways. This includes putting up flyers in local businesses or even sending out an email blast to your customers. The more people know about your deals, the more likely they will take advantage of them.

Another way to reach potential customers is to advertise in local publications. This could be anything from the newspaper to a local coupon book. Ensure your ad stands out and includes all the necessary information, such as your address, phone number, and website.

13. Use Thanksgiving-themed Email Subject Lines for Marketing

When marketing your restaurant during Thanksgiving, get creative with your email subject lines! Instead of using the same old boring subjects, try something festive and related to the holiday.

For example, you could use a subject line like “Thanksgiving Dinner Specials at XYZ Restaurant!” or “Get a Head Start on Your Holiday Shopping with Our Thanksgiving Deals!”. By personalizing your emails with Thanksgiving themes, you’ll be more likely to capture your customers’ attention – and get them interested in what you offer.

14. Leverage Your Existing Customer Base

Your existing customers are some of your best marketing tools – so make sure you’re leveraging them this Thanksgiving! Send out emails or post on social media asking them to write positive reviews or give referrals to their friends and family. You could even offer restaurant discounts for people who do so.

Your regulars are the ones who keep coming back, so show them some extra love this Thanksgiving. Send them a personal thank-you note or offer them a discount on their next visit.

Remember to show some appreciation for your loyal customers. A little thank you can go a long way in building customer loyalty.

15. Make Your Fall Flavors Stand Out

Fall is the perfect time to experiment with new flavors, including your restaurant’s menu! This Thanksgiving, take advantage of all the delicious in-season restaurant produce and create new dishes packed with flavor. Think roasted squash, sweet potatoes, apples, cranberries, and more. You could even offer a special Thanksgiving-themed menu with all of these fall flavors – it’s a great way to attract new customers and show off your culinary skills.

16. Run Competitions

People love getting free stuff – so why not use that to your advantage this Thanksgiving? Run a competition or hold an Instagram contest where people can win prizes like free meals, gift cards, or even restaurant merchandise.

To get people interested, promote the contest heavily on your social media channels and in any types of email marketing you do. And make sure the competition is easy to enter – the simpler, the better. The more people that join, the more exposure your restaurant will get… and that could mean more customers down the road.

17. Be Open All Day Long

Many customers appreciate the convenience of visiting their favorite restaurants on Thanksgiving Day. Give them what they want by staying open all day long! This way, people can drop in anytime for a bite to eat. Plus, it’ll be a great opportunity to show off your holiday menu!

18. Decorate for the Season

Make your restaurant extra festive with Thanksgiving-themed decorations like pumpkins, cornucopias, or anything from tablecloths and centerpieces to stringing up fall leaves.

You can also offer a special Thanksgiving menu with all the traditional fixings. Whatever you do, make sure your restaurant is ready and welcoming for the holiday season.

Thanksgiving is a great time to promote your restaurant and bring in some extra business.

Using these Thanksgiving marketing ideas, you can reach a wider audience, increase brand awareness, and ensure your restaurant is on top of mind this holiday season. So get creative, get out there, and start marketing! Your customers will be thankful that you did.

Thanksgiving Restaurant Promotion

The holidays are a hectic time for everyone, especially restaurateurs. Promote your Thanksgiving specials early and make sure your customers know exactly what you’re offering. Use creative visuals and descriptive text to get your message across.

Your restaurant promotion should include the following:

• A creative visual (e.g., an image of a turkey with your restaurant’s logo superimposed)
• A brief description of your Thanksgiving specials
• The date(s) of the promotion
• Any other relevant details (e.g., mention of takeout or delivery options)

Let your customers know about any promotion you choose in advance so they can plan their visit. And most importantly, have fun! After all, what’s Thanksgiving without good food and good company?

Frequently Asked Questions About Thanksgiving Marketing Ideas

Thanksgiving is a time when families and friends get together to celebrate the harvest. It is also a time when businesses can take advantage of marketing opportunities. Here are some frequently asked questions about Thanksgiving marketing ideas.

What Is the Best Form of Marketing for the Holiday?

One of the best ways to market your business during the holiday season is by partnering with influencers. This can be done in several ways, such as sponsoring an influencer’s giveaway or providing them with a discount code to share with their followers.

Influencers have a large and engaged audience, which makes them ideal partners for promoting your business during the holidays. By working with influencers, you can reach a larger group of potential customers and create buzz around your brand.

What Are the 5 Promotion Strategies?

The five types of promotional strategies are:

1. Traditional and online advertising
2. Personal selling
3. Direct to consumer marketing
4. Public relations and sponsorships
5. Sales promotions

How Can I Make My Thanksgiving Marketing Stand Out?

The best way to make your Thanksgiving marketing stand out is to focus on what makes your brand unique. What do you offer that your competitors don’t? Why should people buy from you instead of them?

Highlight what makes your restaurant special. Make sure your target audience knows why they should choose you this Thanksgiving! Think about what sets you apart and use that to your advantage in your marketing materials.