Winter Restaurant Ideas to Increase Sales in the Cold Season

Restaurant seasonality is an excellent opportunity for restaurant owners to take the pulse of fluctuating consumer demand and use it to attract more customers.  

As the winter holidays approach, don’t shy away from winter restaurant ideas that will help you boost end-of-year sales and start the new year on the right foot. 

10 Winter Restaurant Ideas that Increase Sales and Customer Satisfaction 

Winter comes with two main challenges: a big influx of customers during the holidays and an almost empty restaurant during the following cold months. Don’t worry, these winter restaurant ideas will help you handle both situations:

1. Update your menu with comfort food

When the temperature drops and the snow starts to fall, customers crave hearty, filling dishes that will warm them up from the inside. 

But what foods are most popular in winter? According to a study by Linganore High School in Maryland, these are: 

• Mac & cheese – 29% 

• Apple pie – 20% 

• Grilled cheese – 14.5% 

• Lasagna – 14.5% 

• Stuffing – 7.3% 

• Mashed potatoes & gravy – 5.5% 

• Casseroles – 3.6% 

• Pot pie – 3.6% 

• Soup – 1.8% 

Give customers what they want by creating a special limited-edition winter menu featuring cold-season staples that will tempt customers to visit or place an order online. 

Simply add a new category to your existing menu using our intuitive online menu builder. It only takes minutes, and you don’t have to reprint the menu every time you make a chance. You can just use the same online menu for dine-in, pickup, and delivery.

Learn more about creating your menu here:

 

2. Offer holiday restaurant delivery

Not everyone wants to cook holiday dinner at home. In fact, 66% of people prefer to order the whole meal. Moreover, 27% of participants in a 2024 study declared that they are willing to spend 25%-49% more for their meals for this special occasion. 

Therefore, if you want to capitalize on winter food trends, you must create festive holiday menus that people can order to enjoy a full traditional meal, from appetizers to desserts. For example, a Christmas menu that is only available during the holiday. 

Are you already swamped with Christmas preparations and don’t have time to implement online ordering at your restaurant? We have good news. You can install the free online ordering system from GloriaFood in minutes and start accepting orders ASAP.

Simply follow this step-by-step tutorial:

3. Stay open during the winter holidays

One of the most important winter restaurant ideas is to be open when most of your competitors aren’t. In this case, during the winter holidays when other food businesses are taking a break. 

This makes sense if you think of customer demand. According to a 2022 National Restaurant Association survey, 57% of consumers plan to eat out during the holidays. 

Put together a holiday marketing plan that will help you stay organized while you’re open during the holidays: 

• Update your opening hours on your website, Google Business Profile, and third-party platforms; 

• Share your holiday plans on social media (58% of the people who want to eat out on Christmas will make a choice based on social media); 

• Use a table reservation system to manage the influx of customers. 

• Add a banner on your website letting people know that you are open during the holidays. 

 

Read more: 20 Festive Christmas Restaurant Promotion Ideas for 2023

4. Implement restaurant holiday promotions

When picking a restaurant for dining in or ordering during the holidays, 89% of consumers will consider deals and specials. That’s why one of the key winter restaurant ideas is to attract clients with carefully picked promotions. 

Customers expect discounts and freebies from their favorite restaurants, especially around the holidays. A generous promotion can turn a casual visitor into a loyal patron. 

Add exclusive winter restaurant specials to your menu, and implement promotions that will help you stand out, such as: 

• Free delivery on all Christmas orders; 

• 10% discount on the total order amount if you order any dish from the Christmas menu; 

• A free slice of apple pie on orders that exceed $40; 

• A Christmas family meal bundle: 3 appetizers, 3 main dishes & 3 desserts. 

Here’s how incredibly easy it is to create a restaurant promo using our promotion templates:

Read more: 10 Quick Winter Restaurant Promotions That Will Heat Up Sales

5. Draw in new customers in January

Most restaurants focus all their energy on the holidays, forgetting that winter restaurant ideas can be implemented well beyond December. Food businesses registered total sales amounting to $95.1 billion in January 2024, with 0,7% more than in December. 

Don’t end your winter promotions when the year ends. Implement a couple of enticing January restaurant promotions that cater to people’s desires and expectations in the new year. 

For example, in 2022, 49% of consumers planned to order healthier food for delivery. Consider adding a few vegetarian options to the menu to cater to a more health-conscious crowd. 

Additionally, add nutritional information to every menu item to help customers make an informed decision about what they eat.

6. Create a festive atmosphere

78% of people who choose restaurants on winter holidays said this gives them the opportunity to socialize with friends and family. 

People booking a table at your restaurant during the holidays will expect more than just good food. They will expect a complete dining experience, from music to decorations, and potential activities and surprises. 

Therefore, try out these winter restaurant ideas to make people forget about the cold: 

• Decorate your restaurant to capture the holiday spirit and make people feel at home, even outside of home; 

• Play festive music to create a cozy environment where customers can enjoy quality time with their loved ones; 

• Consider preparing some fun activities for the day, like a festive trivia game or a giveaway; 

• Create a designated photo corner where people can snap group pictures and post them on social media. Don’t forget to display your Instagram handle and encourage them to tag you in the posts. 

 Read more: What Makes a Good Restaurant Atmosphere: 8 Tips & Tricks

7. Give back to the community

88% of consumers are more loyal to companies that take a stand on social and environmental issues. Restaurants are an integral part of the community, and the winter holidays are the perfect time to give back. 

Any contribution, no matter how small, can help those in need. Check out these winter restaurant ideas that will help you get closer to your community: 

• Set up a donation box for a local charity; 

• Implement a “buy one, give one” campaign where each purchase comes with a small donation; 

• Create a “pay it forward” promo where customers can pay for a warm beverage for anyone who needs it; 

• Organize a fundraising event and donate all proceeds to the local food bank; 

• Ask your staff if they’d like to volunteer as a group at a soup kitchen.

8. Create dedicated social media campaigns

When the weather outside is frightful, most people prefer to stay inside and spend their time on social media. Meet them there with efficient social media campaigns that will capture their attention and convince them to give your restaurant a try. 

Compared to single social media posts, campaigns are comprised of a multitude of actions (posts, videos, stories) with a single goal. Here are a few winter restaurant ideas for social media: 

• Increase traffic to your website: first, you need to add a link to your website in the bio on each social media platform. Afterward, you can create posts urging people to discover the available promotions on your website, teasing announcements that are only available on the website, and organizing contests that involve choosing a dish that is available on the website; 

• Get more table reservations: create a reel showcasing how easy it is to book a table on your website; add mouth-watering images of your menu items and encourage clients to book a table in the captions; 

• Increase the number of online orders: make a reel with an online ordering unboxing, show behind-the-scenes images of packaging an online order, and, most importantly, allow customers to order directly from social media. Watch this video to learn how to customize the Start Order button on Facebook with your own ordering link. 

Read more: 9 Tips on How to Create the Best Restaurant Social Media Campaigns

9. Turn your outdoor space into a winter cabin

If you have an outdoor space that you don’t use during the winter, you are losing money. You may have to make a small investment to make the space suitable for the cold weather, but it will be worth it when you can serve more customers. 

Check out these winter restaurant ideas for your outdoor space: 

• Pick a theme: it will make it easier to decorate and also promote if you stick to a theme, such as “Winter Garden”, “Mountain Cabin” or “Winter Chalet”; 

• Heat the space: if you can spare the money and the local regulations allow you, add heaters and even small fireplaces. For a cheaper option, you can try closing up the space and providing many blankets; 

• Provide hot drinks: help customers get warm with mulled wines for adults and hot chocolate for the kids; 

• Make it a photo-up: with impressive holiday decorations, you will attract a variety of customers who want to take pictures with friends and family. 

10. Collaborate with local businesses

When people have to endure the cold to reach your restaurant, they need a little bit of extra motivation to make the journey. By partnering with local businesses, you can create a unique experience that customers won’t want to miss. 

Moreover, collaborations give you access to new people that you can convince to become regulars with your delicious food and exquisite service. Here are a few ideas to try out: 

• Mulled wine tasting: partner with local wineries to showcase their products. Who can resist a cup of perfectly seasoned mulled wine? 

• Comedy acts: lighten up your customer’s evenings with comedy shows provided by local artists; 

• Offer discounts for people who stay at certain accommodations: this way, you can become the most wanted place for all tourists that visit your area. 

Read more: How Restaurant Partnerships Can Help Your Business Grow 

That’s a Wrap 

Every season comes with new and exciting possibilities for restaurant owners. Try out these winter restaurant ideas to make the most of the holiday season and attract new and returning customers in the new year.