It’s time to start planning the festivities and here are 8 tips on how to make your Cinco de Mayo a successful one!
- The main goal here is to throw a celebration that everyone walks away wanting to come back next year.
Always get feedback from your wait staff and see what their ideas are. Your employees love feeling like their ideas were heard and put more into an event when they feel that they are a part of it. Plus, they are the ones who deal with the customers hands on and will be able to help you come up with more than just your basic marketing efforts. - Food is everything!
It doesn’t matter what type of establishment you run on this day. Some ideas as simple as mini tacos, or throwing a best seller into a taco shell can help. To get more inventive, there are a million tastes from south of the border that are worth a try; Tortilla Soup, Red Rice, Chipotle Chicken, Empanadas, or even Churros.
- Cinco De Drinko
Cinco de Mayo is a great opportunity to challenge your guests to try something other than their usual beer or mixed drink, so encourage your staff to get creative and wow your customers with a signature beverage they can’t resist! Create a special 'rita' menu and be creative. What could you add? Any fruit works but what else? Cinnamon? Ginger? Click here to see what others are doing to spice things up! Another idea is to bring in different Mexican beers. Don't know where to start? Just ask your supplier what you can bring in on special. Some of the most popular brands you will come by are ones like: Tecate, Sol, Carta Blanca, Dos Equis, Modelo Especial, Victoria, Negra Modelo, Corona, and Estrella. Whatever you decide to do, play up the number 5. This can be implemented in any number of ways, from a “buy 4 get the 5th free,” 5% discounts, $5 appetizer with the purchase of a Margarita, $5 Top Shelf Margarita, a $5 Mexican Beer and Tequila Shot Combo, or a $5 “solo para ti” or "just for you" Promotion. Nothing says celebration like a great drink special!
- La semana del Cinco de Mayo
Start the party early by celebrating “Cinco de Mayo Week”. Your customers might already have plans to go somewhere else or stay in because it is a work night. Give them the opportunity to celebrate without the worry of them drinking too much the night before. Make your Cinco de Mayo specials available on the weekend and then have a better deal the night of. - Fiesta Time!
A fiesta isn't a fiesta without costumes, music, food, and drinks. This is an all encompassing event that you shouldn't skimp on. The atmosphere is everything to ensure your customers are having a spectacular time. Give out Sombreros to wear, mini pinatas, or Mustache straws. - Tequila, Beer, or Margarita Flights
Offer on the Sunday after a beer, tequila, or margarita flight taste testing to help move any of the extra alcohol you might have purchased. This can be an exclusive event meant only for your loyal mailing list customers or for anyone who comes in!
- Reward Your Amigos
People love to get recognized by helping you out; it's in our human nature. Let anyone who comes in and checks in on Facebook, tweets about your restaurant, or gives you a review an extra 15% off their bill. This will help you get your brand onto more potential customers' timelines without too much effort. - Come up with some Cinco de Mayo contest ideas:
- Best #cincodemayoatbusinessnameselfie, you can encourage these people to post and a winner will be picked to join you guys again with a coupon
- Taste contest! If the customer can guess the brand name of a shot of tequila or beer, they get their next one free
- Half off appetizers to anyone who checks in at your establishment
- Parties of 6 or more get complimentary guacamole and chips
Good luck with your Fiesta and let us know your feedback. We always love hearing from our customers!
Written By: Colleen Leonardo
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