The NFL playoffs are here, and the Super Bowl is right around the corner, which means there will be great opportunities to promote LTO’s and generate more revenue. Next up will be Valentine’s followed by many more events, holidays, special occasions and seasons throughout the year that your restaurant can use to help increase profits. However, you want to be sure you are curating the best menu to be successful.
Popular Foods
There are a few foods that customers seem to gravitate towards consistently, and bacon is at the top of the list. You can’t go wrong by adding it to a burger, chicken sandwich or even a salad to help increase your chances of selling more when you offer it in your LTO. Seafood is another one that people love simply due to the fact that they do not make it at home very often. Aside from those foods, buying seasonal produce at local markets is another popular and sustainable way to get people on board. Make sure whatever you are serving is something your customers will get excited about!
Know Your Audience
Keep your returning customers in mind as you make selections! Depending on the generation, food preferences might shift slightly. Gen Z seems to favor Tex-Mex and carb-loaded foods like fries and mashed potatoes, while Millennials tend to favor a hearty steak or chicken and bacon sandwiches. It’s not a one size fits all, but knowing your customers can help you make strategic decisions. If you have the ability to track your best selling dishes and look at trends in your restaurant that had great success, be sure you are utilizing that information to the fullest. This will tell you what your customers like and will help you build a profitable LTO menu.
Logistics
A good rule of thumb is to begin advertising your LTO 30 days prior to your start date. Make sure your staff is well informed about the specifics of what will be offered so they can communicate it with confidence to the customers and be sure to set a firm start and end date. This helps keep everyone on the same page and allows for everything from inventory to marketing run a lot smoother.
Remember, your LTO doesn’t have to look the same as everyone else’s or even look the same as the last time you ran yours. This is an opportunity to generate excitement about your restaurant and bring in new customers. LTO’s come in many forms these days, so use that to your advantage. You can offer a delivery only offer, or have a digital coupon on your website. Get creative and see what resonates with your customers.
