Spring break is almost here, and it’s a great time to focus on attracting tourists and locals while playing up the vacation vibes.

Now is the time to start planning your approach to spring break — menu, staffing, and marketing — whether you want to introduce new limited-time offers (LTOs), bring in new patrons with crowd-pleasing menus and to-go options, or simply share your high-quality, value-focused dishes with guests.

Spring Break Vibes

After a long, cold winter, guests will be delighted to welcome the sunshine, and they’ll be looking for spring around every corner. Take the time to freshen up your dining room and restaurant by doing some spring cleaning. Evaluate your existing decor to identify whether or not it’s sending the message you want to send. This time of year, guests want it light and bright but still cozy. Consider adding some plants for a little pop of green — a welcome sight in early spring.

Start establishing the spring break vibes on social media and in your e-newsletter. Tease your seasonal specials, perhaps even creating your own week-long (or longer) Spring Break, featuring exciting LTO menu items and in-house events like live music, film screenings, game nights, or other events that are relevant to your brand.

Springtime LTOs

Spring is the perfect time to revamp your menu. Use your existing inventory as a springboard, and then look for ways to bring in a few new products to create LTOs that will attract guests. Seafood is a big seller this time of year. Consider offering brothy shellfish dishes using clams and mussels, like World Dock Clams® in Beer Broth or Moules Frites.

Add an always-popular Lobster Roll to your LTO menu with juicy and tender Bay Winds® Lobster Meat. Keep in mind that research shows the most popular seafood in the U.S. (by far) is shrimp, so adding shrimp apps and mains to your menu is a good way to draw a crowd. Look for ways to incorporate shrimp into pasta, salads, and shareable plates.

Focus on portion control and presentation to provide a good value for your guests. Another good way to stretch seafood to create budget-friendly offerings is with shareables such as creamy Empire’s Treasure® Prepared Seafood Dips — like mahi mahi smoked dip — or on pizza like this Clam and Mussels Pizza Piquant or even small bite-style plates featuring these Clam Stuffed Arancini.

On the Road

This time of year, a lot of folks are traveling, whether they’re visiting your city as tourists or leaving your location for their own vacation spots. You can appeal to both groups with affordable grab-and-go offerings that hold up well for travel. Think sandwiches and salads and add-ons, like soup and chips. Delancey Street Deli® has options for the on-the-go crowd, including prepared deli salads, pickles, sauerkraut, and condiments that will help you create a crowd-pleasing pick-up menu.

Consider offering some hot takeaway breakfast items for early-morning travelers. Hot Take Crave Away™ has a variety of biscuit sandwiches that can provide a jumping off point for adding sauces and condiments to make them unique, while Delancey Street Deli offers Gourmet New York Style Bagels for the morning crowds. Bundle these items with sides and a drink to further drive home the message of value.

Create a simple, graphic, one-page menu to share with your network, and share it often. Send it to local influencers with a note letting them know that these are travel-friendly options and be sure to indicate the best way to place an order — online or over the phone — and any other relevant info, like pricing or notes about daily availability.