With the holidays at our doorstep, you have an opportunity to boost sales by enhancing your menu with seasonal inspiration. In my time in foodservice, I’ve learned that a well-curated holiday menu can drive more traffic, increase order size, and cater to a wider range of customer needs. These adjustments can also lead to an increased average check.
From one chef to another, here are some key strategies to help make your holiday offerings shine:
Spotlight Specials
Holiday specials are a fantastic way to attract attention, but where they appear on your menu can make all the difference. Research suggests that the top right corner of a menu or the first few items listed get the most eyes. That means place high-margin, popular dishes in prime spots to encourage guests to try them. I would recommend creating a distinct holiday section to emphasize seasonal offerings and use subtle but effective visuals, like festive icons or a different font color to guide the diners' attention. Focus on clarity and conciseness. My suggestion is easy-to-read fonts and simple, clean designs with a call out to your business and personality.
For digital menus, use banners or pop-up promotions to immediately spotlight holiday deals and specials. While the core message stays the same, online and print menus should be customized to fit their formats. Online menus can take advantage of more frequent updates, rotating imagery, and interactive features like customer reviews or click-to-order buttons. When promoting holiday specials online, don’t forget to refine for mobile, as many will browse and place orders via their phones.
Ho Ho To-Go
Consumers look for convenient options during the holidays, whether it’s prepared meals for family gatherings or catering options for work events, so don’t bury them in small print. I would suggest clearly listing takeaway and catering options on your menus. For print menus, use a sidebar or a dedicated section near the bottom that features these offerings.
For online menus, ensure that takeaway options are highly visible on your homepage, and use clear, persuasive language like “Holiday Feasts To-Go” or “Stress-Free Catering for Your Celebrations.”
Set the Mood
The holidays evoke warmth, nostalgia, and indulgence — use descriptive wording that captures these emotions to make dishes more enticing. Instead of simply listing “roasted turkey,” try “Herb-Roasted Holiday Turkey with Cranberry Relish and Savory Pan Gravy.”
Chef inspired words like “festive,” “slow-cooked,” “handcrafted,” or “hearty” can appeal to diners looking for comfort and tradition. Remember, you are not just selling food — you are offering an experience.
Focus on What Sells
Certain holiday items have universal appeal. Think about offering dishes that are associated with tradition, indulgence, or winter comfort foods. Staples like roasted meats, mashed potatoes, stuffing, and festive desserts such as pies or spiced cakes tend to perform well, as does offering a plant-based or allergy-friendly version of these holiday classics that can expand to a wider audience.
An Allegiance® Pork Tenderloin “Sous Vide” or Paprika and Pepper Lamb Stew embody the essence of comfort and tradition, with each ingredient serving as the foundation of these seasonal dishes.
Best Practices for Promotions
Promoting your holiday menu is as important as crafting it. Use social media platforms, email newsletters, and in-house signage to share seasonal offerings. Online, use strong calls to action like “Pre-order your holiday meal now” or “Celebrate with our limited-time holiday menu.”
By implementing these strategies, you can create a holiday menu that not only attracts guests but maximizes revenue. A well-optimized menu, combined with thoughtful promotion and strategic presentation, ensures that both dine-in and takeaway experiences will leave an impression.
