According to Techonomic, 59% of consumers say they’re more likely to purchase an item on a restaurant menu if it’s described as “seasonal.” Creating a limited-time holiday menu will bring in more curious patrons, especially if your menu is easily searchable online (a 2018 OpenTable survey found that 93% of people look at restaurant menus online before dining out!).

Want to up the ante? Pairing seasonal dishes with complimentary beverages is an opportunity to upsell. Think about adding a holiday spin to your bar program by introducing a limited-time beverage menu. Because who wouldn’t want to pair their braised short rib with a cranberry cocktail in the winter? And your drinks don’t all need to include booze; check out our mocktail blog that explores the trendy appeal of zero-proof beverages. Have fun with seasonal flavors like peppermint, chai, ginger, and pumpkin.

Another way to bring in more bacon? Create a stellar seasonal dessert offering. There is no better way to finish off a meal than with a sweet ending. Menu engineering – a concept created by Gregg Rapp - research suggests that a separate dessert menu, presented toward the end of the meal, will increase the likelihood of purchase. There’s always room for dessert!

Content courtesy of Roland Foods