As Valentine’s Day quickly approaches, operators in the UK recognise the significant potential for profits that this special day brings. As a time for people to express their love, many are eager to spend on memorable experiences. It's estimated that bookings for the night can be up to 35% higher than a typical February evening, offering restaurant and bar owners a prime opportunity to see a substantial return on their efforts.
Here are our five top tips for operators looking to get their service offering right this Valentine’s Day.
1. Call Me
Valentine’s Day is all about creating special moments for guests to enjoy quality time together. So why not give them the freedom to choose how they spend their wait? Instead of having customers stand in long queues, why not implement an invisible one? By offering customer paging solutions, restaurant owners can allow guests to relax at the bar, while decreasing traffic in the front-of-house and giving them a more comfortable, seamless experience.
2. Instant Connection
Long wait times due to staff shortages can make Valentine’s Day much less enjoyable for guests. Call buttons near the entrance ensure team members are promptly alerted to new arrivals, helping to reduce wait times and queues while improving the overall customer experience.
3. Perfect Fit
Since guests often prefer to take their time enjoying a special evening, effective table management is crucial. Additionally, the number of last-minute walk-ins can be unpredictable. Table management systems not only help staff stay aligned with customer needs but also enables quicker table turnovers and offers opportunities to upsell menu items. Furthermore, it provides valuable insights, such as food delivery times, allowing restaurant owners to better manage staff, operations, and overall productivity.
4. Smooth Talker
Two-way radios are a simple yet powerful tool that allow both front and back-of-house employees to collaborate effortlessly, ensuring customers receive the best experience. Instant communication across the entire team also enhances table turnover and allows for quick responses to unexpected situations.
5. The Share Price
Leverage the couple’s theme this Valentine’s Day by promoting sharing platters and bundle deals to attract more customers and boost sales. Post images of the food to give potential customers a sneak peek of what's on offer and create a buzz leading up to the big day.
