Restaurant advertisement: growing awareness of your brand
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Restaurant advertisement: growing awareness of your brand

Restaurants rely on local business, which means awareness is everything. Before they can stop in for a meal, customers need to know your establishment exists. That’s the role of marketing and advertising: to build awareness and familiarity in your target audience as a way to boost sales.

Get your brand out there

Marketing is one of the most important aspects of operating a restaurant. An effective marketing strategy helps your business succeed by:

  • Building brand awareness and name recognition
  • Creating relationships with your target audience
  • Distinguishing your restaurant from competitors
  • Convincing customers to try your food
  • Increasing sales and revenue

The way you market your restaurant also strengthens its brand — the way the public perceives and identifies the business. It’s hard to overestimate the value of a compelling and powerful brand. It builds familiarity, trust, and loyalty in your customers, making them more likely to choose your restaurant over competitors.

What’s the difference between marketing and restaurant advertising? Advertising is one facet of marketing; a restaurant advertisement typically involves promoting your restaurant through paid channels.

How to market your restaurant

The most effective restaurant marketing strategies use a multi-pronged approach. By showing your food and brand on a variety of channels, it’s possible to reach different sectors of your target audience.

This strategy also increases the number of times customers are exposed to your brand. That’s important for the legendary “Rule of Seven,” which states that viewers need to see an ad or marketing campaign seven times before they take action.

As you write a restaurant marketing plan, make sure to include a broad selection of platforms.

1. Email marketing

Email marketing is one of the most valuable forms of marketing for the food industry. You own the email list, which means you can communicate with recipients at any time — without relying on a search engine algorithm or a platform to show your content to followers.

Email is particularly effective for restaurants because it enables you to control when viewers see marketing messages. Want to boost midday sales? Send out an email with the daily lunch specials at 10:30 am, when office workers are starting to think about lunch. Is Mother’s Day coming up? Help customers decide how to celebrate by sending an email announcing a holiday brunch.

Restaurant advertisement: growing awareness of your brand

2. social media

When diners are trying to pick a restaurant, they often scroll through locations or relevant hashtags on social media to find an appealing option. Social media marketing increases your chances of showing up in those searches.

To build a powerful social media presence for your restaurant, you must capture diners’ attention when they’re ready to buy. This process typically involves:

  • Selecting the platforms that are popular among your customers
  • Post beautiful food photography and videos
  • Humanizing your brand with “behind the scenes” content
  • Boosting engagement with content and special discounts
  • Including links to your website and online ordering system

It can pay to create accounts for your restaurant on Facebook, Instagram and TikTok. Utilizing a social media calendar can help you post on a consistent cadence.

3. Paid restaurant ads

Advertising usually requires you to pay for placement. Your restaurant advertisement strategy should include both print and digital ads, including:

  • Social media advertising. Instagram and Facebook ads can be targeted to reach your ideal customer. You can customize them with photos of food, interiors or employees.
  • Google display ads. By joining the Google ad network, you can position your restaurant’s advertisements on participating websites.
  • Restaurant billboards. Billboards are essentially supersized print ads that sit in high-traffic areas.
  • Print ads in newspapers and magazines. This type of traditional advertising tends to work well for an older demographic.
  • Radio ads. Reach customers while they’re driving with paid radio ads that promote your food or special deals.
  • Podcast ads. Like radio ads, these promotions are audio-only. They typically appear during podcast breaks. Podcasting is a popular medium for younger listeners.
  • Advertising videos. Video promotions often appear in television commercials; you can also use them as display ads on websites and YouTube.
  • Direct mail. Send restaurant ads through the physical mail. This is an effective way to stand out from online noise and promote a grand opening, special event or new menu. You can even include discount coupons as an added incentive.

A great restaurant ad is attention-grabbing and easy to understand — viewers should be able to comprehend the message in seconds. In many cases, effective ads use emotions to create fast, powerful connections with customers. Finally, make sure to include a call to action to convince the audience to visit your website, follow you on social media, sign up for the email list or stop by your restaurant.

4. Printmarketing

Digital marketing has gained traction in recent decades, but traditional print marketing can still be a powerful tool. You might create flyers to put up on local billboards or print a brochure to leave at hotels in the area. You can also staple your print marketing materials or special deals for customers’ takeout and delivery order bags. If your restaurant offers catering services, a printed catalog with a food menu can help event planners and wedding venues share your business with clients.

Other types of print marketing include:

  • Business cards
  • Table tents
  • Posters
  • Signs
  • Bag inserts

5. Content marketing

Content marketing is the process of creating and sharing blog posts, videos and social media content to promote your restaurant. You can include both direct and indirect promotions. A social media post might announce your latest special outright; a blog post could take a more indirect route by sharing a popular recipe or discussing the food scene in your city.

Tips and tricks for marketing a restaurant

No matter what platform you choose, use these restaurant advertising and marketing tips to attract more customers:

  • Invest in high-quality photography and video to showcase your food and restaurant in the best light.
  • Include deals and discounts to give customers an additional reason to come in.
  • Keep an eye on competitors and stay up-to-date with their marketing strategies.
  • Engage customers by asking for feedback, particularly on social media.
  • Fill out your Google Business profile completely.
  • Experiment with advertisements in a variety of locations and refine your strategy to include the ones with the highest response.

How much should you spend on advertising?

Restaurant advertising can be as affordable or as expensive as your budget allows. As a rule of thumb, marketing experts suggest that small businesses spend between 7% and 8% of their revenue on marketing. For most companies, advertising spend should account for no more than 20% of the total marketing budget.

If your restaurant had yearly revenue of $1 million, the marketing budget would be $70,000 to $80,000. Your maximum advertising budget would fall between $14,000 and $16,000.

The actual budget can vary significantly from restaurant to restaurant. Some businesses see a high return on their ads, so they spend more. Others may be more successful with other types of marketing and choose to invest accordingly.

When you’re just starting out, you might want to spend more on paid ads. As soon as your organic marketing strategies catch up — you build a social media following or bring in traffic to blog posts, for example — you can reduce the advertising budget.

Calculating the ROI of your restaurant marketing efforts

At the end of the day, the goal of promotional activities is to bring in new customers and increase food sales. As a restaurant owner, it’s helpful to monitor the return on investment (ROI) of your restaurant marketing and advertising campaigns. The results can help you design a targeted strategy and set an appropriate budget. To calculate the ROI, use this formula:

(sales growth – marketing costs)/marketing costs = ROI

For example, if you spent $1,500 on marketing in a quarter and saw a $5,000 increase in sales during the same period, you would calculate ROI with this equation: ($5,000-$1,500)/$1,500 = 2.33%.

There are no set rules for an acceptable ROI. In general, the higher the ROI, the more successful the strategy. To find the strategies that work best for your restaurant, calculate the ROI for different advertising and marketing campaigns.

As you create a marketing and advertising plan for your restaurant, remember that it’s a process. With trial and error and regular attention, you can develop a refined strategy that brings in customers and increases sales.

Growing your advertising reach with Grubhub

Reaching customers is difficult for any restaurant. That’s why it helps to have a trusted partner like Grubhub by your side. When you list your restaurant on Grubhub Marketplace, you have instant access to 33+ million paying customers. You can run promotions and get access to loyalty tools to advertise your business, grow your brand.

Ready to grow your business? Sign up for Grubhub today.

How to Create a Compelling Kids’ Menu
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How to Create a Compelling Kids’ Menu

Whether ordering in or eating out, mealtimes are often a family affair. Creating a menu specifically designed for kids makes the entire experience much easier for all involved. Does your restaurant have kids meals that have them asking for seconds?

The best children’s menus are both kid-friendly and parent-approved, so here are five kids’ menu ideas to help you please the whole family.

5 menu items you need in your kids meals

What makes a kids meal different from a regular menu is that it’s catered towards kids’ pallets, keeps portions smaller and often comes with a side. Parents appreciate when meals are holistic, keeping in mind nutrients and ingredients. Creating kids meals with a variety of popular mains and a choice of sides keeps kids full and parents happy.

Here are five dishes kids enjoy:

  1. Mac and Cheese

The gooey combo of melted cheese and macaroni noodles is one no kid can resist, making it a staple on any kids menu. Mac and cheese is the perfect item to let your chef get creative – use fun noodle shapes, combine cheese, add protein or finish with parmesan. Including a dairy-free cheese option or a gluten-free noodle substitute can help make sure this menu item can be enjoyed by all.

Spice up this popular “safe” option with healthy sides like chopped veggies or a cup of fruit. Parents will be thankful for the extra nutrition, and including a free side will make customers feel like they’re getting a good deal.

  1. Sliders and hot dogs

You can’t go wrong with hot dogs and hamburgers, no matter the season. Make this classic barbecue unique by serving it up in kid-friendly sliders. Offer turkey burgers or veggie dogs to accommodate those with dietary restrictions.

Provide a few sauce options so that the kiddos can dip their bite-sized mains into ketchup, honey mustard or an aioli. Giving kids the power to select what sauces they want can ensure you’re serving them what they like while avoiding wasting ingredients they won’t touch.

  1. Build-your-own tacos

The best way to satisfy picky eaters is to give them options, and tacos are the perfect food choice. Let kids pick from a variety of fillings, and bring out their choices in separate bowls. Provide a few mini tortillas so that the kids can experiment with their creations. Keep sauce portions small, and try toning down the spice level for young pallets.

  1. Chicken

While this game may seem basic, the preparation options are endless – keeping all types of little eaters satisfied. Stick to the classics with chicken fingers, or get creative with dino nuggets. You can also size down your most popular adult chicken dish to give kids a chance to try it in an approachable way.

A chicken dish isn’t complete without sides. Give a variety of fun and healthy options for kids to choose from like sweet potato fries, maple roasted carrots, parmesan broccoli or zucchini tots.

  1. Customizable pizzas

Pizza is another kid-favorite that is sure to be a kids meal hit. Want to take the classic cheese pizza to the next level? Give kids different topping options and create a fun design on the pie with their chosen toppings.

Save money on ingredients and limit food waste by creating an 8-10 inch personal pizza. If you want a healthy take on this quick service classic, try serving flatbreads or whole wheat crusts. Parents will appreciate the nutritional value, and kids may not notice the difference.

How to design a kid-friendly restaurant

Including the perfect kids meal dishes is just the beginning to create a kid-friendly restaurant environment. Here are some other ingredients you need in your recipe for success:

Offer Healthy Options

In kids’ food trends, we’re seeing staple menu items such as macaroni, cheeseburgers and pizza getting phased out in favor of more health-conscious options. Opt for alternatives such as veggies, fruit and lean meat, which are sure to win parental approval. Additionally, consider offering gluten-free or dairy-free options for kids with allergies or dietary restrictions.

Keep with the Theme

There’s no need to reinvent the wheel. Your kids’ menu doesn’t have to stray too far from your other offerings. Offer some of your staple choices in smaller portions that appeal to younger diners. This is especially important for older children who want to act (and eat) more like adults.

Offer combos (and allow for substitutions)

Allow kids to customize their kids meals by offering combo options. For example, let kids pick out their favorite entrée and two sides from a list of options. The best combo menus make it easy for parents and children to avoid certain ingredients – like gluten or meat – to easily accommodate dietary restrictions. If combos are a bit too complicated for your menu, you can still appeal to picky eaters by allowing for easy substitutions.

Keep it Punchy

Kids can have short attention spans, especially when it comes to making decisions. Long descriptions and wordy phrases can cause them to quickly lose interest. Keep descriptions short and to the point to please parents and budding readers alike. Eating is a full sensory experience. Add fun images to make the ordering experience even easier for the little ones.

Make the food fun!

Fun food for kids is key! There are plenty of ways to bring creativity into kids’ cuisine. Here are a few fun ways to make your restaurant kid-friendly:

  • Make shapes out of fruit or faces out of veggies
  • Use kid-friendly food coloring to play with color in items like drinks or bread
  • Serve up your dishes on fun plates to encourage them to eat their meal to discover what’s underneath
  • Pack kids take-out drinks in fun cups they can keep
  • Create an interactive kids menu with games, coloring and crayons
  • Provide high chairs to make it easy for kids to dine at the table

List your kids meal on Grubhub

Kids’ menu orders have grown 40% each year since 2012, which proves that kid-friendly foods are in high demand. Restaurants that can successfully enter those with little appetite will reap big benefits in the long run.

Are your kids meals ready to go? Partner with Grubhub to get your menu on Grubhub Marketplace so customers can enjoy your food on the go. Ready to reach new customers and grow your business with Grubhub? Signup today!

Restaurant Logo Ideas | Grubhub for Restaurants
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Restaurant Logo Ideas | Grubhub for Restaurants

Your restaurant’s logo is the most recognizable and influential part of your restaurant’s brand — it helps your company stand out in a crowd and creates a strong connection with customers. Logos create a visual and emotional tie between customers and their favorite brands. If you ask the average diner what a McDonald’s logo looks like or what colors the Domino’s logo has, they probably can answer at the drop of a hat. Creating a logo that resonates with customers can help make your restaurant more recognizable, keeping your brand on customers’ minds.

If your logo is ready for a refresh, it’s helpful to start by browsing popular restaurant logo ideas. When you can pinpoint why certain designs are successful, it’s easier to create a logo that elevates your company’s visual branding.

Restaurant branding: what makes it important?

Branding is the way you convey your restaurant’s identity and distinguish it from competitors. A brand consists of multiple components, including its values, visual identity, messaging, and unique selling proposition.

The visual identity of a brand — the fonts, colors, and graphics that represent the company — helps shape the public perception of your restaurant. Done well, these elements can create a positive impression even before diners take their first bite. Done poorly, they can turn off customers and prevent them from giving your food a chance.

Branding also helps potential customers understand your business. Your logo, in particular, provides clues about the style and type of food you serve. That’s why vegan and vegetarian restaurants often use leaf imagery and shades of green; because these elements are associated with fresh, healthy and natural food, they signal that a restaurant serves plant-based cuisine. Likewise, fine-dining restaurant logo designs tend to use delicate fonts and sparse, abstract imagery to convey exclusivity and elegance.

A strong logo is essential to building brand awareness — the extent to which the public is familiar with your restaurant’s name and visual identity. Think about the biggest brands in the world; chances are, you can picture their logos immediately. That’s because they’re distinctive, simple, and tied strongly to the company’s identity.

When you’re looking for ways to boost your digital restaurant branding strategy, a great logo is a must. With the prevalence of logo makers and logo templates, creating a stunning design has never been more accessible.

Key elements of good logo design

Logos might seem simple, but the graphic design process is surprisingly detailed. Whether you’re using a restaurant logo maker or working with a marketing agency, make sure to keep these rules in mind:

  • Keep it simple. Your logo will be published in a wide variety of sizes across both digital and print mediums. Minimal detailing makes it easier to read, even at the smallest sizes.
  • Make it striking. The most memorable restaurant logos use at least one bold element. The McDonald’s logo, with its oversized “M” and bright yellow and red color scheme, is a good example.
  • stay with the times. There’s a reason restaurant logos change over time — they need to keep up with changing customer preferences for design and style. The best logos feel contemporary, but not trendy.
  • Be original. It’s easy to fall back on cliches or copy existing logos, but originality can help your business stand out from the crowd.
  • Follow design rules. Stick to two critical principles of good restaurant logo design: balance and proportion. Logos that are off-balance or disproportionate tend to make customers feel uncomfortable.

Most logos have two key parts: the wordmark and the mark. The wordmark consists of the logo’s text — usually, the name of your restaurant. The mark, which is also called the logomark, is the graphical element. It might be an image, an icon or a shape. On the Taco Bell logo, the mark is the brand’s iconic bell.

Keep in mind that some logos use a wordmark only. When that happens, the designer typically selects an eye-catching font to help the logo stand out. Your design might also include a tagline or a frame.

Color theory for restaurant logos.

4 restaurants logo ideas

Graphic designers tend to use a few similar patterns when creating restaurant logos. As you’re searching for restaurant branding inspiration, consider these four tried-and-true layout ideas:

  1. Wordmark only. Simple and clean, these logos are the easiest to make; just select a font and add color. This style is popular with upscale restaurants such as Noma and The Wolseley.
  2. Separate wordmarks and marks. This type of logo features the name of your restaurant below or to the right of a graphic mark. An example is the Dunkin’ Donuts logo, which features a cup of coffee positioned next to the stacked brand name.
  3. Wordmark framed by graphic. For a strong visual statement, frame your restaurant name with your mark. Arby’s logo follows this pattern; the name sits in the center of a cowboy hat.
  4. Wordmarks with taglines. If your tagline is essential to your food business’s brand, this option can help you incorporate it elegantly. Make sure to create a hierarchy by placing the tagline below the restaurant name in a smaller font. Most brands use this format sparingly; occasionally, you’ll see the McDonald’s logo paired with “I’m lovin’ it” or the Papa John’s logo positioned above “Better ingredients. Better Pizza.”

When restaurants rebrand, their new logos can attract a great deal of attention. Olive Garden is a prime example — their 2014 logo redesign revealed a cleaner, more modern look that marked a significant departure from the dated, overly detailed original. Starbucks has also evolved its logo over the years to keep up with changing design styles, all while maintaining an instantly recognizable visual identity and consistent imagery.

Tips for making a restaurant logo

As you create a logo design for your restaurant, choose each element carefully. The fonts, colors and graphics you choose will affect how customers view your brand.

Font selection, in particular, is critical. To start, pick an option that’s easy to read, even at small sizes. Then, look for styles that represent the personality of your restaurant. It’s usually best to avoid polarizing fonts that elicit strong negative reactions, such as Papyrus and Comic Sans.

Logo colors are important because they’re tied to both emotions and stereotypes. Seafood restaurants often use blue because of its association with the ocean. Mexican restaurants often use orange and yellow; these warm shades hint at spicy food and colorful cultural imagery. Red is a popular color among fast-food restaurants because it’s powerful, it’s energetic, and it stands out in a crowded environment.

When it comes to graphics, proceed with caution. The best logos stick to simplified silhouettes that relate directly to the brand. The Sonic logo, for example, features shapes that hint at a vintage drive-in sign.

Restaurant logo designs for different cuisines.

Finding the right placement for your restaurant logo

Before you finalize the graphic design of your logo, make sure it will work on different marketing channels. After all, you’ll want to place it in multiple locations to reinforce your restaurant branding. At a minimum, it should appear on:

  • Print and digital menus
  • Restaurant signage
  • Business cards
  • Printed brochures, coupons, and flyers
  • Social media profiles
  • staff uniforms
  • Professional e-mail signatures
  • Business merchandise
  • Restaurant website
  • Branded delivery websites from services such as Grubhub Direct
  • Food delivery apps

Your logo plays a big role in the way the public sees your restaurant. By spending the time to create a strong design and placing it prominently on all key marketing materials, you can build stronger brand awareness and keep your company at the top of customers’ minds.

Are you ready to get your logo in front of more customers? Partner with Grubhub today to help market your brand and drive more orders to your restaurant.

Restaurant health scores: preparing for a successful inspection
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Restaurant health scores: preparing for a successful inspection

When customers are choosing where to eat, restaurant health scores are one of the metrics they use to gauge quality and safety. A high score is a vote of confidence that can give your restaurant a competitive advantage. It also helps you avoid fines and maintain positive relationships with local health officials.

What are restaurant health scores?

A restaurant health score is the rating the state or county health department gives your restaurant after an inspection. It tells the public how well you’re complying with local and state food safety laws. In many areas including New York City, restaurants are required by law to post their scores in a high-visibility location.

Health departments set their own grading scales; most use numerical scores or letter grades. Scoring can vary, but it’s always based on the state and local food codes. Usually, A is the highest score and C or D is the lowest.

In most states, county health inspectors visit every food service operation a few times per year and after every customer complaint. Inspections are usually unannounced to preserve the element of surprise.

During an inspection, the official looks for specific violations of state and local laws. For many violations, you’ll be given a short period of time to fix the issue. After that, the inspector makes a follow-up visit to verify you’re meeting compliance requirements.

Health departments don’t always publish a specific acceptable violation limit. Instead, they consider the overall risk to public or environmental health. If an inspector finds a restaurant poses an immediate health hazard, they’ll typically shut it down right away. This might happen due to multiple severe violations or a single large issue, such as a sewage backup. Before it can reopen, the restaurant owner must prove that they’ve corrected all issues. Inspectors may also shut down restaurants after repeated health-code violations.

How to prepare for a health inspection

The best way to prepare for a health inspection is to run a clean, compliant operation — after all, restaurant inspections can happen at any time. Keep in mind that officials determine your inspection score based on the number of violations, including common issues such as:

  • Improper hand-washing
  • Lack of hair restraints
  • Inappropriate food storage temperature
  • Cross-contamination
  • Inadequate sanitation
  • Expired foods
  • Infestation of rodents or insects
  • Lack of pest control
  • Disrepair of restaurant facilities

If it’s been a while since your last inspection date, now is a great time to prepare your restaurant. To avoid violations, run regular self-inspections using this basic health inspection checklist:

  • Train staff members in food safety standards.
  • Make sure refrigerated foods are stored below 40 degrees Fahrenheit.
  • Ensure freezers are at least zero degrees Fahrenheit or lower.
  • Choose hot-food holding systems that are 140 degrees Fahrenheit or higher.
  • Mark expiration dates and throw out expired foods immediately.
  • Keep equipment and facilities in good repair.
  • Establish food handling, cleaning and storage practices that prevent cross-contamination.
  • Use thermometers to ensure meat is cooked to a safe temperature.
  • Set up hand-washing stations and train staff in proper technique.
  • Publish and enforce personal hygiene guidelines.
  • Install leakproof garbage bins and remove trash frequently.
  • Clean all surfaces and equipment thoroughly and regularly.
  • Hire a pest-control service for regular visits.

Remember that the laws governing restaurant health scores can vary considerably from state to state. Make sure to check with your local health department for a location-specific checklist.

What’s so important about your restaurant health score?

Your restaurant’s health score is public information; its purpose is to help customers understand your establishment’s food safety standards at a glance. A high score reassures diners that your facilities are safe and clean. A low score is a red flag that erodes public confidence and reduces your revenue.

The health scoring system encourages restaurants to comply with food safety regulations. When more businesses practice safe food handling and storage, it improves public health, reduces the burden on environmental health services and benefits the entire community.

If your score is lower than you’d like, you can take action to boost it. Start with the violations in your last inspection report — identify the root of the problem and implement a permanent solution. Then, use your local health department’s guidelines to improve your kitchen, food service and front-of-house operations. Even small changes, such as standardized hand-washing rules, can help staff members stay compliant and ready for a surprise inspection.

A high restaurant health score is a sure fire way to maintain a positive reputation and stay compliant with local laws. By implementing standard operating procedures for a clean kitchen and safe food handling, you can welcome health inspectors with confidence.

The 9 most popular restaurant delivery days
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The 9 most popular restaurant delivery days

Marketing for restaurant delivery is a tricky mix of strategy and timing. Throw in a need for creativity (who’s going to come up with weekly topics and track what’s relevant) and it can be tough for restaurant owners and operators to find time in their busy schedules to find ways to promote their eatery.

But the fact is, marketing remains one of the most important tasks on your to-do list because it’s the easiest way to keep your diners engaged and your restaurant top of mind.

For example, pairing promotions with a boosted social media presence can help generate business and put guests in seats. Or, as this case may be in modern times, directing them towards your online ordering platform so they can score some delivery.

Restaurant delivery is on the rise. More than 18 million orders were placed on Grubhub in 2022, and online ordering is growing 300% faster than in-house dining. By 2024, online food delivery services are projected to become a $32 billion industry. It pays to master your digital ordering strategy now.

Capitalizing on consumer trends can help drive diners to your restaurant.

National holidays with the most orders

It’s all about national holidays – and we don’t just mean Christmas and Fourth of July. National food holidays and unofficial top restaurant delivery days like mega sporting events and primetime for restaurants looking to amplify off-premise orders.

Take a look at the national holidays that bring the most orders to restaurants and learn how you can promote them to capture more hungry diners.

1. New Year’s Day

Nothing lulls regrets from the previous year more than a good hearty meal, according to Grubhub diners. Over 660,000 orders were placed on Grubhub on New Year’s Day in 2022. It can pay to double down on delivery in the new year as many customers don’t want to leave their house on the day off to get a meal. And having a delivery partner like Grubhub can help take the stress of coordinating deliveries off your plate.

The holiday season is a great time to roll out a seasonal menu that incorporates festive favorites. Perfecting a seasonal menu can help make your restaurant stand out as customers tend to appreciate flavors that correspond to the time of year. Consider creating a New Year’s Day brunch menu that can cure any hangover – incorporating comforting favorites like french toast, pancakes, fresh fruit and home fries.

2. Mother’s Day

For decades, Mother’s Day has been the most popular day for people to dine out. The holiday gives a perfect excuse to ditch the home cooking and take mom out for a nice meal. However, in recent years families don’t need to leave their house in order to get a five-star meal for the guest of honor.

Over 616,000 diners decided to get a restaurant meal for mom in 2022. Families are eager to celebrate the ladies in their lives with delicious food that nobody in the house has to cook themselves.

Read our Mother’s Day guide to see the plethora of ways to play into that excitement, including Mother’s Day restaurant specials and promo ideas like tucking kid-friendly extras such as stickers and coloring sheets into delivery bags. Don’t forget to use social media and your email list to let people know what you’ve got planned for the holiday.

3. Martin Luther King Jr. day

Martin Luther King Jr. Day falls on the third Monday of January. This federal holiday honors Dr. King’s legacy of social justice and equity. MLK Day is also a National Day of Service that encourages Americans to volunteer to improve their communities in honor of Dr. King.

While this holiday brings thousands of orders to restaurants, it’s also a time for restaurants to show they care for their communities. Restaurants can take part in the MLK Day of Service by giving back. Patrons tend to support businesses that align with their values, and this National Day of Service is a great opportunity to show what your restaurant stands for.

Consider hosting a food drive by highlighting that your restaurant is a place where people can drop off their food items. Take lead by donating restaurant meals to local food banks. There are many creative ways to give back to your community, and taking initiatives on this National Day of Service can make your restaurant stand out.

4. Presidents Day

Every third Monday in February Americans celebrate Presidents Day to honor those who have served as president in our 246-year history. Whether diners get the day off or not, many spend the day ordering from their favorite restaurants. In fact, over 550,000 customers placed orders on Grubhub last Presidents Day.

Looking for a unique promotion to run on Presidents Day? Try giving a percentage off different president’s favorite foods on your menu. Did you know John Adams started his mornings with hard cider? Or that Thomas Jefferson’s favorite food was mac and cheese? While you may not serve James Garfield’s favorite squirrel stew dish, you can highlight the dishes you do have that past presidents have enjoyed.

5. Labor Day

Labor Day is when we all say goodbye to summer and start looking forward to the crisp breath of fall. Many people are taking a minute to indulge in a last-minute burst of warm weather by barbecuing poolside or taking a picnic to the park or the beach.

Tailor your Labor Day promotions to what customers are already feeling. A farewell to summer celebration allows for tons of great prompt ideas on social media. Imagine brightly colored graphics, snapshots from the restaurant’s summer events, and a few strategic mentions of your Labor Day delivery deals like offering 15% off with a themed code like BYESUMMER.

Make the most of the biggest restaurant delivery days with Grubhub

Partnering with Grubhub gives restaurant owners and operators just like you access to a wide array of tools and educational resources designed to help you maximize engagement, traction and profits.

Grubhub’s promotion and loyalty tools guide you through the process of targeting your ideal customer, using smart marketing and plug-and-play promotions that have seen other Grubhub partners generate an average of 72% more new customers.

With Grubhub Marketplace, your restaurant gets in front of local diners who otherwise may have never heard of your food or who may have forgotten how delicious your menu truly is. Seasonal promotions are an excuse to remind everyone that you’re there, you have something incredible to offer and that they can sample it again at a discount.

Download Grubhub's food delivery calendar.

What’s the best food delivery service for your restaurant?

Curious which food delivery service is the best? With so many food delivery apps on the market, there are endless potential partners for you to consider. But not all restaurant delivery services offer the same access to potential diners or the same tools to help you scale your business and achieve your goals.

Using the best food delivery service available can help you tap into promotional opportunities such as major holidays.

Here are a few things to consider as you decide which food delivery platform is right for you.

Brand name and customer reach in your area

It’s no use joining a third-party delivery service if it won’t get you in front of the diners that truly matter. With nearly 163 million Americans eating out each week – 64% of the country’s adults – it’s crucial to reach as many potential guests as possible.

Grubhub Marketplace is the largest marketplace of its kind, connecting restaurants with more than 33 million diners eager to find the source of their next delivery order. In fact, 9 out of 10 independent restaurant operators surveyed who use Grubhub agree Grubhub increases the volume of takeout and delivery orders – higher than the competitor average.

To gauge how Grubhub is doing in your area, visit Marketplace and check out nearby restaurants already using Grubhub to see their success for yourself.

Restaurant fees and profit margins

You’re joining a third-party food delivery service to help bolster your profits, don’t hurt them. Some delivery partners are primarily interested in their own bottom line, but Grubhub is invested in joint success, empowering restaurants so we can all share in a more bountiful future.

Grubhub Marketplace offers restaurants three different levels of membership, ranging from Basic to Premium. You control what you pay and which marketing tools you access so you can tailor your investment to the needs of your restaurant.

In addition to reaching your share of those 33+ million diners on Grubhub, you also get a dedicated Account Advisor and access to delivery services so you’re not navigating success on your own.

Your customers, your data

It’s hard to take your online delivery and takeout services up a notch unless you have access to key data points used in strategic decision making.

Direct not only helps you launch your own online ordering site, it also helps generate diner data you can use to fuel your marketing efforts. And it’s all free, with no commissions ever. Just promote your unique food service delivery link and watch as the customer and data roll in.

Delivery boundaries

One way to save on delivery fees is to use your own in-house team. Although this approach won’t work for everyone, restaurants that do have the bandwidth to oversee self-delivery can add that to other delivery service options including Grubhub delivery, supplemental delivery and pickup.

Grubhub delivery is a proven system, too. Nearly 9 out of 10 independent restaurant owners who use Grubhub agree that Grubhub streamlines takeout and delivery order processing, and 77% of consumers surveyed who use Grubhub highly rate Grubhub’s delivery speed.

Make the most of major delivery days with Grubhub

Top restaurant delivery days hold a major promise for restaurants looking for ways to broaden their customer base and increase revenue, but sometimes it takes a strong partner to make those goals a reality.

Partnering with a third-party delivery app gives you access to tools, knowledge and a built-in audience. At Grubhub, that means joining a platform that’s already a proven success. Now it’s your turn.
To experience the power of Grubhub firsthand, sign up today and get ready for your next round of holiday delivery promotions.

Hotel chef that serves with a smile recognized as ‘outstanding ambassador’
Hotels
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Hotel chef that serves with a smile recognized as ‘outstanding ambassador’

Charlotte’s tourism and hospitality industry has successfully bounced back after the hardships brought on by the pandemic.

In 2022, hotel demand in Uptown Charlotte for leisure travel was up 130% over pre-pandemic numbers and up 154% for group or convention-related travel. In addition, Mecklenburg County hit its highest annual total hotel revenue ever at $887 million.

A group of the people and businesses that helped support the growth and recovery were honored last week, including one worker Your704′s Elsa Gillis recently met.

ALSO READ: Two Charlotte chefs, one bar named semifinalists in the James Beard Awards

Over the course of 15 years, Wanda Grady has been smiling and singing her way through the early morning breakfast service at the Embassy Suites by Hilton in Uptown where she’s the omelette chef.

Grady’s positive attitude has not gone unnoticed by coworkers, hotel guests (her name is all over reviewed on TripAdvisor), or the Charlotte Regional Visitors Authority, who recently recognized her as “Outstanding Ambassador” at its annual Partners in Tourism Awards.

“It’s a beautiful hotel. Everybody is wonderful to me, I’m wonderful to everybody … You couldn’t ask for nothing more in your life,” Grady said.

Her coworker Harvey Johnson says Grady is a bright part of each person’s day.

“Every day, she’s like that every day,” Johnson said. “She has been like that for the last 13 years that we have been working together, she’s always the same. Regardless of what she’s going through, and of course we go through different things in life, she does a fantastic job.”

Grady believes it’s important to be kind to others because you never know what someone is going through.

“It’s important because it helps uplift people,” she said. “There’s people that travel through these hotels because someone’s at the hospital … there’s so many different reasons that bring you here.”

VIDEO: Colombian bakery is a family affair

2023 Alcohol Delivery Trends for Restaurant Owners
Hotels
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2023 Alcohol Delivery Trends for Restaurant Owners

Alcohol Delivery is expected to grow exponentially over the next few years – it’s time you learn how to capture this growing demand for to-go cocktails and alcoholic beverages. Check out what spiked drinks are trending in 2023 and how you can quench your diners’ thirst.

The pandemic kickstarted changes in local regulations to allow restaurants to incorporate alcohol delivery into their delivery strategy. Over 17 states and districts have decided to allow restaurants to sell to-go cocktails permanently, and customers love the ability to order to-go cocktails, beer and wine from their favorite restaurants on Grubhub.

Find out more about the benefits of offering alcohol delivery as part of your business model and see which cocktails seem to hit the spot best for thirsty diners eager for an effortless at-home happy hour.

The benefits of offering alcohol delivery or to-go cocktails

Curious whether it’s worth it to add alcohol to your delivery and to-go menus?

While it does take an up-front investment of both time and money to reconfigure your day-to-day operations and ensure your new alcohol offerings adhere to guidelines, Grubhub data shows a clear payoff.

Adding alcohol to your delivery menu on Grubhub can increase the average order value by a whopping $14-$15.

Think about that in terms of daily or weekly revenue; If you deliver 100 orders a day, you stand to see an average overall increase of $1400-$1500 per day and $9800-$10500 per week.

Of course, alcohol delivery on Grubhub is not available everywhere.

It’s important to do your research before you commit to a menu change or start collaborating with a local mixologist on cocktail ideas. If you’re a current Grubhub restaurant partner, please check with your Account Advisor to find out if you can offer alcohol.

To learn more about how you can add alcohol to your Grubhub menu, check out our guide to Grubhub alcohol delivery.

What were the top alcohol delivery and cocktail-to-go items ordered on Grubhub in 2022?

Grubhub’s #2022Delivered showed an uptick in alcohol orders, with a handful of cocktails seeing a meteoric rise in popularity.

Check out Grubhub's 2022 Delivered
  1. Beer

Whether it’s paired with a juicy burger or helps wash down game day wings, Grubhub diners’ go-to alcoholic drink is an ice cold beer. Beer is an easy addition to any alcohol delivery menu. Its pre-canned packaging means that you can offer a wide array of ales and lagers without a lot of prep work.

  1. margaritas

Frozen, on ice, with salt or without, margaritas continue to be a hugely popular drink that’s perfect for washing down that spicy carne asada on Taco Tuesday.

Keep delivery constraints in mind while you finalize your menu – frozen margaritas are harder to prepare and deliver without seeing a dip in quality. Also, too many flavor options could complicate things for your bartenders.

  1. Hot Sake

This hot Japanese drink has taken beverage delivery by storm. Hot sake, also known as ‘Kanzake,’ is a warm alcoholic beverage made from fermented rice. It comes in a wide variety of flavors and is known for having a higher alcohol content than wine. You can serve Sake pre-bottled and give diners quick instructions on how they can heat it up so they can perfect their at-home happy hour.

  1. Piña Colada

Cream of coconut, pineapple juice and rum can turn any cloudy day into a trip to the tropics. You can serve it blended or shaken with ice, and garnish it with a pineapple wedge, maraschino cherries, or both. Check out tips on how to make sure your Pina Coladas can stay fresh on the road. No matter how you prepare it, diners are going bananas for this fruity classic.

  1. Sauvignon Blanc

Sauvignon blanc is a fruity, light white wine that pairs perfectly with a soft cheese or a smoked salmon. Adding sealed bottles of wine to your delivery menu can help you easily take liquids on the road. Think about offering white wine pairings with your dinner entrees so your diners know exactly what bottle washes down their meal best.

Hello, 2023: Alcohol delivery and cocktail trend predictions for the year ahead

Half the battle when creating an alcohol delivery menu is deciding which cocktails to include. On the one hand, you want to appeal to various tastes; on the other hand, a streamlined menu with few items helps reduce buyer confusion and makes it easier for your staff to execute orders on time.

Getting to know what cocktail trends you should watch in 2023 could help you create a menu that hits all the right notes without going overboard. The result? More sales and less stress!

Bold and bubbly

If there’s one thing taking 2023 by storm it’s bold flavors. Diners are craving online ingredients both in their food and drink. Spicy cocktails are rising in popularity, combining the fiery sting of alcohols like tequila with the hot taste of chili peppers. Customers are turning toward bitter tastes as well, sipping on espresso martinis and Manhattans.

Bold flavor cravings have encouraged customers to embrace high-end spirits. Diners are willing to spend more for premium ingredients, especially if those ingredients break the norm. Don’t be afraid to offer a few higher-end cocktails and bottles of bubbles on your beverage menu for those who are looking for something bold and fancy to sip on.

Growing interest in low-ABV and alcohol-free beverages

The alcohol-free spirit movement is chugging right along, with “mocktails” getting more creative. You can buy infused faux alcohols to make mixed drinks, or rely on herbs and fruits to create fancy beverages that feel special without imparting an alcohol-based buzz. Mocktails can make your fancy drinks appeal to customers of all ages.

Global flavors are landing on drink menus

Diner’s don’t need to travel to Japan to enjoy the popular hot Sake, or fly south for a tasty Mexican beer. Global flavors are on the rise in the US as customers crave worldwide ingredients. Some of the most popular alcoholic drinks hail from all across the globe, and customers appreciate when they are paired with global ingredients. Try adding popular global drinks like Sangria, Negroni or Irish coffee to your beverage menu.

Hard seltzer are essential to any menu

Hard seltzers have continued to be an unstoppable addition to the beverage sector. Their undeniable popularity makes them a widespread winner because they tick many boxes.

They’re a lighter drink that appeals to people who might not love the taste of alcohol, they’re typically lower in calories than sugar-laden bottled cocktails and they’re nice to drink on a hot summer day.

Customers gravitate toward local spirits

Like local food, local spirits are getting a lot of support from people who want the money they spend to funnel back into their own community. As people strive to support small businesses, customers seek menu offerings that include liquor from local distilleries, breweries and winners.

Tequila (still) increasing in popularity

Margaritas are the number one drink of choice for Grubhub customers, but now their love for tequila is spreading. Try out some other accessible tequila cocktails like a Paloma grapefruit or experiment with the smokier, more complex aroma and taste of mezcal.

Grow your bottom line in the new year with Grubhub beverage delivery

According to BeverageDaily, alcohol e-commerce is expected to grow by 66% between 2020 and 2025. Much of that growth can be attributed to rising alcohol sales through online platforms like Grubhub Marketplace.

The first step to adding alcohol delivery to your business is to sign up with Grubhub for Restaurants. We have all the tips and tricks to help optimize your restaurant for beverage delivery so that your delicious concoctions make it to satisfied customers.

As a Grubhub restaurant partner, you’ll have a dedicated Account Advisor who can let you know if your market allows alcohol sales. If so, your Advisor will help you add alcohol to your account successfully so you can get up and running quickly.