Holiday’s can be a hit or miss proposition for the restaurant industry.  While some holidays may be busy, others can provide a significant slow down as potential patrons are spending time with family.  The competition for holiday business can be fierce, so it is imperative that you have a plan to maximize your revenue during this time.  The 4^th of July is a celebration of our nation’s independence.  There are some simple steps you can take to draw in customers and make this a very profitable time for your restaurant. 

Decorations

The easiest way to start your 4^th of July plans is to decorate your restaurant with the stars and stripes anywhere you can.  When it comes to decorations, you really can’t go overboard.  Red, white and blue table cloths, window dressings and buntings are a great start.  It’s also a great idea to display flags large and small.  Consider setting up buckets to hold your flag poles and even hang them from your ceilings and walls.  This is a celebration of our great nation, there’s no need to take short cuts.

Utilize your Property

If you have access to the outdoors or even private rooms that are typically reserved for VIP’s, this is a great opportunity to take advantage of that and make them profitable.  Taking the party outside allows for more visitors and space to make your celebration stand out from your competitors.  Even if you don’t have the room for a full-scale outdoor party, you can still take advantage of your outside areas.  Setting up a booth in the front of your restaurant that offers finger food and pre-packaged meals can be a great way to increase revenue.  This way, even if a customer is on their way to another event, you will still be able to make a sale.

Take Advantage of Other's Celebrations

If you’re fortunate enough to have a location where fireworks displays are clearly visible, this is something that you need to take advantage of.  Make sure you make it well known that your establishment is in the forefront of your communities 4^th of July celebration.  This will not only draw customers in, it will also prevent patrons from leaving when the firework displays begin.

Stage Contests and Events

The 4^th is a fun holiday, and as a restaurant owner, it is your job to make your establishment the place to be during this time.  Live music and eating events are traditionally a large draw.  Make sure you book several entertainers so that you can keep the party going strong into the night.  Eating contests or Costume contests are not only a big draw for crowds, it can also help to promote your menu.

Catering Specials

Restaurants that offer catering services possess a big advantage when it comes to 4^th of July profitability.  There are many people that will be holding their own celebrations, and not all of them will want to be cooking all day to provide food for their guests.  Offering special holiday promotions for your catering services is a great way to boost business and develop long term customers.  If a customer uses your service and their party goes off without a hitch, they are sure to look to you for their next big celebration.

Host the Event

As the owner, this is the time for you to take center stage as the emcee of your celebration.  Host the event yourself, get your face out there and show your personality to the customers that may not see you on a consistent basis.  That connection they make with you can bring in business for years to come.

Give-Aways

It goes without saying, everyone loves something for free.  Small give-aways such as Uncle Sam hats and miniature American flags will help to endear you to your customers.  Raffles can serve as a way to give away large ticket items, and even turn a profit.  Keep the fun going by offering small 50/50 raffles for customers hourly throughout the day to make sure your part-time party goers don’t feel left out.

Spread the Word

Promotion and advertising is going to be key to turning a profit with your celebration.  Consider reaching out to local media outlets, television and print, to get the word out about your celebration.  You’ll also want to utilize your social media pages and website to promote your event.  Make sure you let the world know about any specials and events that will take place at your establishment.  And again, if you have a great view of fireworks displays, make sure potential customers know about it.

Funding your Celebration

If you haven’t put together the cash to fund your celebration yet, it’s not too late. Most merchant cash advances are approved within 48 hours. With the help of a merchant cash advance from Quikstone Capital Solutions, you can ensure your party goes off with a bang.  Happy 4^th of July America!