Get Your Restaurant Ready For Fantasy Football

Posted by Karen Erdelac on Aug 17, 2018

Get Your Restaurant Ready For Fantasy FootballFantasy football has become extremely popular over the past twenty years and can mean big business for restaurants willing to cater to these crowds.  Most leagues will be drafting their teams in the next 2-3 weeks, so now is the time to get ready.  Satisfying these customers can mean a season’s worth of business as well as reservations for next year’s draft.  It can also set you up as an ideal host of fantasy basketball and baseball drafts.  Here’s what you’ll need.

Section Reservations

Leagues can be as big as 32 teams so setting aside whole sections for large parties may be needed.  Having adequate staff and the ability to rearrange tables is a must to ensure these large parties not only come back the following year, but to watch the games during the season.  While a fantasy football draft may be a once a year event, it can lead to lifelong customers if the experience is memorable.  Additionally, many people participate in multiple leagues, so one good draft experience could lead to several others.

Draft Boards

While most people track their drafts online, many still love the pageantry of having a big board to display their team names, logos and draft picks.  Making these available will give your draft day experience an added boost.  A simple dry erase board with a grid can do the trick.  It also provides a platform to advertise and upsell menu items.  Outline a reservation process for the boards so you don’t have multiple leagues fighting over them.  Yes, this can actually happen.

WiFi Access

WiFi access is a must for fantasy drafts and should be made easily available.  If your restaurant or bar doesn’t currently offer WiFi access, you should consider opening it up for drafters.  Most drafts are held online and people love to research and track their picks in real time.  Without WiFi you stand little chance of attracting anyone holding a fantasy football draft.

Drink And Appetizer Specials

Beer and appetizers are a staple of draft day and usually in large quantities.  Advertising specials online and throughout your restaurant can be a big draw.  Nachos and wings are a must.  Discounted beer buckets and pitchers can help drive up your earnings as well.  You may even consider developing meal packages similar to your catering menu to appease the crowds. 

Fantasy sports have become big business and savvy restaurant owners can capitalize on this trend.  Football, baseball and basketball are the predominant fantasy sports and can all help bring revenue to your restaurant.  True enthusiasts meet up to watch the games and see how their match ups unfold.  A first-class draft day experience can bring in a season’s worth of business.

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