The Biggest Day of the Year!!

New Years Eve is usually the biggest day of the year for restaurants and often filling the reservation books and staffing up and some decor is all you need for a big day. However if you do that, your leaving money on the table! On big holidays the key is optimizing your sales, what can you do to take a great day to a record setting sales day for your restaurant. Heres some of my best holiday tips to drive your sales on the big day.

1. Optimize Your Seating - Sitting a 2 top at a 4 top just cost you two seats and two diners sales. Mapping out your reservations properly to fill all your seats is just as important as filling them. Also shy away from large parties (10p or more) they can take up your seating and you can loose a table turn throughput the night.
2. Drive Your Check Average - Creating a set menu for the special day to guarantee a set check average from your customers helps assure you will receive top dollar for the big day. (Note- be sure to add value by upscaling your menu for your guest, they are willing to pay a little more for this day but they want something different then what they usually get at your restaurant)
3. Be Creative - Think outside the box, add some temporary seating, create a late night cocktail party for your dinner guest with a open bar for a set price. Pre sell bottles of champagne by suggestive selling when guest make their reservations all these things add up to $$$

I hope these tips help start your New Years off to a profitable year in 2013!

As always feel free to contact me with your questions.

Rocky