The journey to operating one of the best Thanksgiving restaurants in your city starts here! Almost every entrepreneur in the restaurant industry knows just how much an eatery can restaurant marketing during the holiday season. So, once the first of November rolls around, it’s time for the planning to begin.
From captivating restaurant marketing tactics to implementing product differentiation all across the Thanksgiving menu, there are many ways to stand out. In this article, we’re going to teach you how to accomplish restaurant success the week of Thanksgiving in several easy steps. But first, let’s discuss why dining out on Turkey Day is so appealing to begin with!
Why a Thanksgiving Restaurant Menu Is So Appealing
Homebodies all over the United States prefer hosting Thanksgiving in the comfort of their own home. In fact, a home-cooked Thanksgiving dinner is often a tradition for many families. However, going to a restaurant for the occasion certainly has its perks. Read on to discover why a restaurant with a holiday menu of any kind, let alone a basic Thanksgiving menu, is so appealing to customers.
The Experts Handle All the Cooking
The executive chef of every restaurant will likely be overseeing back of house operations on Thanksgiving. There’s a good chance that they’ll also be the one to work with the restaurant owner in crafting a limited-edition Thanksgiving menu. So, customers can feel confident that every dish will be delicious and of high quality.
There’s No After-Dinner Cleanup
Many people will argue that one of the best parts of dining out for a holiday is there being zero cleanup afterward. This whole concept is especially true for Thanksgiving, as it centers so much around food. Not only do you have all the cookware where the preparation takes place, but then you have the serving flatware, as well as utensils, glassware, and individual dishware items. But when you dine out? There’s nothing to clean and put away once the party is over.
Restaurants Can Accommodate Dietary Preferences
The culmination of various types of chefs, expansive cooking space, and sufficient inventory allows restaurants to produce a wide selection of dishes. With this in mind, it’s much easier to find menu items that meet numerous dietary needs at a restaurant than it is to diversify an at-home dinner. Considering that Thanksgiving is a holiday celebrated by the whole family, the ability to create something for everyone is ideal. Whether it be a gluten-free or vegan Thanksgiving menu, a bit of everything will surely lead to customer satisfaction.
5 Tips for Operating One of The Best Restaurants for Thanksgiving Dinner
There are several tips that you can take advantage of to operate one of the best Thanksgiving restaurants in your city. Check out five of them below.
1. Create a Limited-Edition Thanksgiving Menu
Sure, you might have a lot of consumers who wish to dine out on Thanksgiving for a standard meal. However, there’s a much greater chance that they’ll want the whole nine yards of a traditional Thanksgiving feast. So, it’s pretty obvious that you’ll need to create a Thanksgiving menu of some kind–but we’ll talk about that more in detail later.
2. Spend Ample Time Marketing the Thanksgiving Menu
Thanksgiving marketing ideas will be essential if you hope to fill up your reservation book. Not everyone in your area is going to know ahead of time that you’re offering an exclusive holiday menu. So, we recommend leveraging restaurant SEO tactics, social media marketing, and a few email campaigns to get the word out throughout the fall.
3. Purchase All Your Seasonal Inventory at the Right Time
Once you and your team determine what you’ll be serving on Thanksgiving, create a timeline for when you’ll acquire all the necessary ingredients to bring the menu to life. From fresh produce to frozen desserts, these dates will vary. With the help of a restaurant inventory management app, all these orders can be scheduled in advance, taking manual labor out of the equation later on.
4. Create a Warm and Festive Atmosphere
Thanksgiving kicks off the holiday season, so it’s vital that your restaurant contributes to the atmosphere. Implement decor and restaurant lighting where you can to create a warm and cozy environment. If you can make the space feel a bit rustic, that’s even better!
5. Cater to Different Dietary Needs
There’s a strong likelihood that your customer base consists of people who abide by strict dietary guidelines. Keep this in mind when creating your Thanksgiving menu template. For each section, from the appetizer list all the way to the dessert menu, add at least one item that’s vegan, gluten-free, and low-calorie. If you can guarantee that certain dishes are free of the most popular allergens, that’ll be even more impressive. This way, you won’t exclude potential customers.
Types of Thanksgiving Restaurant Menus
If you wish to operate the best Thanksgiving restaurant in your city, it’s vital that you have a spectacular menu. You’ll need to consider the style of your restaurant and the following menu types. Then, select the one that you think is most suitable for your business model.
Thanksgiving Buffet
What says “Thanksgiving feast” more than an all you can eat buffet? Seriously, there are so many dishes that families across America associate with Thanksgiving, that it might be beneficial to line your restaurant with bulk quantities of each dish. If you already have buffet stations in your eatery, the setup will be that much easier.
Thanksgiving Prix Fixe Menu
If you work in a food service establishment and are striving to keep restaurant operations simple, a prix fixe menu will be perfect. The way this will work for Thanksgiving is there will be a structured menu from start to finish, where the entire meal is a set price. There’s no picking and choosing which courses a customer receives, unless they want to pay for something they don’t consume, of course! Sure, there might be options under each category, especially when it comes to meat-centric and meatless options. But the goal of this menu style is to accurately gauge profits in advance, in addition to simplifying tasks for the kitchen and wait staff.
Thanksgiving A La Carte Menu
Everyone has their own preferences, especially when it comes to Thanksgiving dinner. So, it’s advisable to craft an a la carte menu for Thanksgiving. If you operate more of an upscale restaurant that will put a creative twist on holiday classics, the ability to pick and choose various dishes will be ideal. That’s only because your menu items might be unpredictable and unique to those who didn’t view the selection in advance.
Thanksgiving Family Style Dining Menu
If there’s one holiday that centers around gathering with family, it’s Thanksgiving. So, it wouldn't be too unusual to create a family-style dining menu. Simply serve large portions of Thanksgiving classics on shareable platters. When you think about it, that’s how a traditional at-home Thanksgiving feast is served anyway! Therefore, this option is what will feel most like home, even though customers will be out of the house.
Thanksgiving Catering Menu
Many consumers might want the best of both worlds: staying home with their loved ones alongside expertly crafted dishes from a restaurant. By offering a Thanksgiving catering menu, you’ll be able to deliver just that–literally, right to their door.
Frequently Asked Questions About a Thanksgiving Restaurant
Would you like to gain additional insight pertaining to the journey of operating the absolute best Thanksgiving restaurant in your area? If so, take a look at the FAQ section below to learn more.
Are Thanksgiving Restaurant Reservations Necessary?
Yes, it’s safe to say that Thanksgiving restaurant reservations are necessary. For one, many restaurant owners plan table arrangements, employee shifts, and inventory procurement ahead of time when expecting a full house. Plus, Thanksgiving revolves around dinner. In other words, there’s a high demand for tables on the evening of this holiday.
When Should You Make Thanksgiving Restaurant Dinner Reservations?
Consumers should make Thanksgiving restaurant dinner reservations about four to six weeks in advance. Not only should there be several nearby restaurants with the availability, but making the call ahead of time also gives the restaurant staff ample time to prepare. The sooner they have a final headcount, the better.
How Much Should a Full-Course Thanksgiving Dinner Cost at a Restaurant?
When dining at a restaurant, a full course meal on Thanksgiving should cost about $50 per person. This figure allows for a $15 appetizer, a $25 entree, and a $10 dessert. Whether each customer consumes a soft drink or an alcoholic beverage would be an additional fee.
How Can I Find Places Accepting Thanksgiving Dinner Restaurant Reservations?
You can easily find places accepting Thanksgiving dinner restaurant reservations by Googling “Thanksgiving restaurant near me.” If local eateries don’t have a holiday menu publicized just yet, a quick phone call will provide you with an answer.
Which Restaurant Chains Offer Thanksgiving Dinner?
Several restaurant chains that offer Thanksgiving dinner include:
- Golden Corral
- Buca di Beppo
- Cracker Barrel
- The Capital Grille
- Maggiano’s Little Italy
- Ruth’s Chris Steakhouse
Let Us Help You Operate the Best Thanksgiving Restaurant
The process of running the best Thanksgiving restaurant in your area can feel like a daunting task. However, we’re here to say that it can be done. The BlueCart team is also here to help. The holiday season is the perfect time to leverage an inventory tracking system and digital marketplace. In doing so, you’ll be able to access unique ingredients and streamline procurement management operations. Schedule a demo with us today to learn more!