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The Holiday season is upon us and with it comes the opportunity for families, couples, friends, and colleagues to seek avenues to make merry and unwind after a hectic 2024. For Philadelphia, the city of brotherly love is a beehive of activity. Beyond the twinkling lights and Christmas celebration, Philly is also bursting at the seams as businesses work round the clock to meet the ever-growing demands of their clients both new and old.
For restaurants, especially Black-owned ones, this holiday season offers new opportunities for businesses to grow their clientele, increase their revenue, and all around contribute to the happy cheers of the season.
How then can Black-run restaurants leverage this holiday season to ensure that they not only close out their books on a positive note but to guarantee and sustain repeated patronage going into 2025?
Introduce Live Bands
It is the season of cheer and what better way to celebrate than to go out for an evening of unwinding and losing steam as you experience a mixture of fine dining and soothing music. Black-owned restaurants should leverage the benefits musical performances bring as an added advantage to the entertainment their clientele experience when they visit their restaurants.
It not only creates an electric and vibrant atmosphere, but it also sets the tone for the evening, offering customers a moment to explore intimate moments as they take to the dance floor or just sit back, relax, and enjoy some good musical performance.
Where restaurants do not have the budget to pay for the services of a live band, ensuring an available sound system can also serve to drive more patronage to their businesses.
Offer Special Holiday Menus Inclusive of Promotions
One unique way to increase the flow of diners in and out of Black-owned restaurants is to offer special holiday menus. Not only are diners eager to explore something new and different, but they also desire a touch of the usual that aligns with their expectation.
Whether it be appetizers, desserts, or well-themed meals, look up diverse and special holiday dishes that not only cater to locals but also appeal to visitors and tourists alike.
Leverage the opportunity to offer promotional deals for diners such as discounts for a certain number of first-through-the-door diners, gift cards, or loyalty rewards as a way of retaining and attracting new customers.
Leverage Holiday Events and Gatherings
Beyond having diners visit Black-owned restaurants, it is also important that these restaurants leverage the opportunity to extend their services beyond the confines of their environment by seeking out opportunities to host various holiday events and offer private dining for companies that might be looking to hold an end of the year party for its staff, or family members celebrating one event or another.
No matter the themed party, restaurants can organize and provide their services at such gatherings.
Ensure Efficient Across – The – Counter – Order and Home Deliveries
The Holiday season is characterized by a seeming rush by many to meet up with obligations. Having their time wasted just to pick up their order or have them delivered to their homes can negatively impact a business’s revenue and possibly cause a decline in patronage.
Managers of Black-owned businesses must continue to prep their staff to ensure the ordering and delivery process is seamless. They should also leverage the use of technology through a website or app to ensure that customers can order on time before picking up or ensure that they are aware of the estimated delivery time for those ordering from home.
Okechukwu Nzeribe works with the Onitsha Chamber of Commerce, in Anambra State, Nigeria, and loves unveiling the richness of African cultures. okechukwu.onicima@gmail.com
