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Winter’s about to officially set in, and the holiday season is upon us. With only just over two weeks to go until Christmas, people are spending their money on presents and decorations… and enjoying a beer or two whilst watching the World Cup.
Because of the 2022 FIFA World Cup, pubs across the country are enjoying a large increase in sales. Pub operators have been seeing sales of over 50% during this period–especially on home game days.
Now that the World Cup finale is nearly one week away, pubs need new ways to attract customers and maintain profits over winter. These five tips can help your pub reduce costs and gain new regulars.
Develop a winter menu which includes promotions and meal deals. Focus these promotions on hot dishes and comfort foods, such as pies and pasta, for people escaping the cold weather. Offering two-for-one meals one night a week is an added option to bring in customers who love a bargain. Besides promotions, dedicate a section of the menu specifically to ‘winter comforts’ so guests can easily locate hot dishes on the menu.
Take advantage of the festive season by hosting a New Year’s Eve party or Christmas-themed events which are bound to attract new customers. Hold a Christmas Carol Karaoke night with festive cocktail specials or make wrapping presents a social occasion by hosting a present wrapping day. Provide a variety of wrapping paper, ribbons, and sticky tape so those who hate wrapping gifts can have a beer or a burger while they get gifts ready for under the tree. Make sure you market any events you host by spreading the word through social media, posters, and flyers.
Avoid hiring new staff members, and first, determine whether current staff numbers can cope over the holiday period. Circulate rosters to employees with plenty of notice so changes are not made last minute, and it doesn’t leave you short-staffed at any point.
If business slows, create a new roster which considers quiet periods, this prevents having too many staff members working on a Monday afternoon when there are few customers to serve.
Make your pub an oasis for customers to come in and escape the cold. Invest in outdoor heaters so guests can still enjoy the beer garden or alfresco dining areas. Or if on a budget, provide blankets for outdoor use when the weather is nice but there is a chill in the air.
Use tarpaulins or plastic sheets to protect tables and chairs from the harsh winter weather. Shielding furniture from the rain, especially wooden pieces, ensures they last longer, and you won’t need to replace them in the summer. Diners have the choice to sit outside when furniture is kept clean and dry, and it will incline smokers to stay longer when they can sit outside and smoke. Dry furniture will also attract passers-by, such as those walking their dogs to stop and enjoy a quick beer.
