Top 5 Reasons People Come To You For Their Father’s Day Celebration And Some Marketing Tips To Boot!

Father’s Day is a gift sent from the marketing Gods allowing you to have another day to increase revenue and drive traffic to your establishment.  Let’s face it, Mother’s Day is where everyone gets creative and goes above and beyond for what a mother does.  Why not do the same for Dad?

According to a study from the National Restaurant Association a whopping 60% of Dads go to their favorite restaurant regardless of the specials on Father’s Day.  If you don’t have a loyal following now is not the time to quit.  You still have the other 40% of people who dine out!  Letting customers know that you have drink and food specials, that you are kid friendly, if they don’t know where they would like to go or even first timers specials can help you combat the other 60%. Marketing material and email campaigns are still very effective ways to get the word out there.  The other half is social media!

Here are the top ways to help Dads feel special when they come dine with you:

1. Surprise your guests with an appropriate gift.
   This can be a gift card, free drink or dessert, plant, chocolates, a cigar, or sports paraphernalia from your local team.
2. Host a professional photographer or arm yourself or one of your staff with a camera.
   What a great way to help capture the moment!  You can have everyone sign up for your mailing list so when you post the image on your social media you can send out a mass email letting them know their pictures are up.  This is a double whammy because now you have beefed up your list for future specials and promotions as well.
3. Prix Fixe Steak Dinner.
   Create a Father’s Day prix fixe menu! Prix fixe menu consists of an appetizer, main dish and dessert at a set fixed price, but with some alternatives within each category.
   In this way you increase the sale of certain foods, and speed up operations and efficiency in the restaurant.
4. Why just one day?
   Father’s Day shouldn’t be just one day!  Let’s face it, Dads are out there working day in and day out to provide for you and your family.  Since Father’s Day ends up on a Sunday and some people work on this day, let them know that if they come in during the week they can also be celebrated.
5. Raffles – Hey, who doesn’t like to win something?
   Create a raffle where all Dads get put into a drawing to win something!  A free dinner (to help with repeat traffic), a shout out on social media, or even a gift certificate to another business in the are you area cross promoting.
6. Cross promotions are always a good thing!
   Partner with a neighboring business to create a package that includes a visit to a gym, hardware store, batting cages, bookstore, auto parts store, or the ice cream shop down the road.
7. Use Promotions That Won’t Break The Bank!

• Dads who come in with one child get 10% off their meal
• Dads with two kids get 25% off their meal
• Dads with three kids who come in get 30% off their meal
• Dads with four kids who come in get their entree free
• Dads who come in with their families get one free dessert for Dad
• Dad’s “Man Made Special” – Take a best seller and add extra sides or an included dessert
• The Dad Getaway – Some Dads like to get a break from the madness.  On the days before or after let Dads know if they come in with a picture of their kids to get a free appetizer or free dessert or free drink.  This one is for the Bars who don’t let people under 18 in.

We always love to hear feedback and other awesome ideas.  Feel free to leave a comment!


Written By: Colleen Leonardo