The number of people who choose to go out to watch sporting events has increased so much recently that Neilsen has had to adapt the way they measure TV ratings to account for them. With this trend continuing to pick up steam it’s imperative that you are well prepared and make your restaurant’s plans for the tournament. If you are able to pull off the ultimate Final Four party your restaurant stands to gain loyal customers for years to come. You want to make this experience as fun as possible for your guests regardless of which team they’re pulling for. There are several ways to make your event memorable and here we’ve outlined some of the best ways to grow restaurant revenue for your Final Four party.
Projector
When it comes to the Final Four, bigger is always better. Renting a projector with a huge screen is a great way to bring customers to your establishment. These can come at a relatively low cost compared with the amount of people they will bring in. The goal here is to make your patrons feel like they’re actually at the game. When people hear you’re going to have a 15 foot screen to play the games on they are sure to come and bring friends. It’s a surefire way to make sure your establishment stands out from the crowd.
Trivia
College basketball trivia is a great way to get your guests involved in the fun and also keep your customers in their seat before and after the games. You’ll want to provide incentive for participation such as free drinks or appetizers for the winners. This is also an opportunity to promote future visits by awarding coupons or discounts that are valid after the tournament.
Promote Delivery
While the numbers have increased not everyone wants to 'go out' for the games. In order to capitalize on this crowd you’ll want to heavily promote your delivery and take out services. Offer discounts on popular party foods such as nachos and chicken wings. You may also consider putting together special Final Four packages that combine several menu items that will fully cater to your delivery customer’s needs.
Adapt Your Menu
One way to get people into the spirit of the tournament is to offer special items that are native to the cities of the competing teams. This serves as a great promotion in two ways. Locals will have a chance to try new dishes and those that may have relocated can get a taste of your version of their home town favorites.
Interactive Contests
There are endless possibilities for promotions taking place during the tournament. If your restaurant also has a bar you may consider giving out free or half price shots for each three pointer. Slam dunks might call for a drawing for a free appetizer. Get creative with your contests and make sure everyone within your establishment has a chance to win.
Non Basketball Sanctuary
While it’s not a smart idea to ignore the games completely you may consider dedicating a section to those trying to escape the event. Not everyone is a basketball fan but it doesn’t mean you can’t profit from them as well. You should try to come up with separate promotions or entertainment for those that aren’t there to enjoy the games.
After Party
There are a lot of people who will be calling off of work the days following the games and you can capitalize on a few extra hours by holding an after party. This is not only a way to keep your patrons in your place longer, it can also be a draw for those going out after the games to celebrate.
The Final Four is one of the biggest sporting events of the year worldwide and if organized and promoted correctly your restaurant stands to rake in a tremendous profit. If you’re looking for the small business working capital to pull off such an event, consider a merchant cash advance from Quikstone Capital Solutions to tip off your Final Four festivities.
Looking for more ideas on how to grow your restaurant business?
Download our free Restaurant Investment Guide.