Love is in the Air: How to Prepare Your Restaurant for a Magical Valentine's Day

It’s February. Love is on the horizon, and couples everywhere are gearing up for a romantic Valentine's Day. February 14th is the most awaited day for lovebirds and one of the most profitable days for many businesses. Lovers are on the lookout for unique gifts and exciting date night ideas. If there’s one industry that especially enjoys the romantic day, it’s the restaurant industry. People start making reservations almost a month in advance, if not more, to ensure they get their seats at their favourite restaurant, and restaurants need to be prepared for this type of demand.

With Valentine’s Day being the second busiest dining day* after Mother’s Day (which we also have you covered), restaurants can create enchanting experiences that not only captivate hearts but also boost their revenue.

Here are five tips to ensure your restaurant becomes the go-to spot for a memorable Valentine's Day:

1. Craft a captivating menu

A special Valentine's Day menu is a key ingredient for attracting diners. It doesn't require a complete menu overhaul; introducing one or two new dishes or a prix fixe menu can add a celebratory touch. Consider adding love to your presentation—perhaps a heart-shaped waffle for the day or Valentine's-themed chocolates. 

2. Stir up some love potions aka cocktails and mocktails

Valentine's Day isn't complete without delectable cocktails. Introduce specialty drinks with a romantic flair, from raspberry martinis to red wine sangrias. You can also offer one of your bestselling champagnes at special prices to customers looking for some bubbles. Restaurants can also add creative mocktails to their menu for those who prefer to skip the booze. Why leave out those ordering in? Enhance your delivery menu by including these tempting beverages in your to-go menu.

3. Send love to those ordering at home

Recognize that many couples opt for a cozy night in. And some singles like to indulge in self-love by ordering in. Ensure your kitchen is ready for both in-house reservations and a surge in delivery orders. Offer V-Day-themed packaging to online orders and perhaps even include a special gift to spread some love. Promote to-go options on social media to remind diners that a romantic celebration can happen in the comfort of their homes.

4. Paint your social media red

Spread the love on social media with Valentine's Day promotions. Offer special deals such as percentage discounts, free desserts, or prix fixe menus. Consider experience-based promotions like wine tastings or cooking classes for a unique touch. Extend these promotions to Galentine's Day (February 13th) to cater to singles and friends such as bottomless brunch, cocktail-mixing session, or dessert-tasting menu to maximize your customer base. Expanding your tactics outside of the typical day itself will allow you to stretch the celebrations as well as revenue opportunities.

5. Set the mood for romance

Restaurants must meticulously attend to every detail - from candle-lit tables to soft and romantic background music - to weave an ambiance of romance for their customers. Restaurants can enhance their dining spaces with Valentine's Day-themed decor such as heart-shaped balloons and napkins or rose petals scattered artfully.

Elevating the dining experience with special linens, exquisite dishes, and sparkling glassware sets the stage for an unforgettable evening. Moreover, restaurants must arrange their space and tables to allow privacy and intimacy for each couple. By strategically spacing out tables or designating secluded dining areas, restaurants can further accentuate the sense of exclusivity, ensuring couples feel truly cherished. These small touches may seem cliché, but it will go a long way to set the mood for customers and create memorable experiences.

This Valentine's Day, let your restaurant be the destination where love and gastronomy intertwine, creating lasting memories for couples, friends, and singles. Don’t be shy - spread the word through various channels, including social media, paid ads, blog posts, website updates, email campaigns, and print ads. Encourage reservations to streamline preparations to avoid heartbreak for customers and provide an unforgettable dining experience.

Tune into our podcast for more tips to boost revenue this Valentine’s Day.

Cheers to crafting a culinary love affair that leaves a lasting imprint on hearts and taste buds.

To learn more about how Moneris can help create lasting memories for your customers for every occasion, click here.

____________________________________________________________________________

* https://nconnections.com/blog/2019/02/07/here-are-the-3-busiest-days-of-the-year-for-restaurants/