Restaurant occupancy on weekdays: Fill empty tables.
Give each weekday its own reason to come: a fixed offer, an occasion or a short reminder to guests who have agreed.
How do you increase restaurant occupancy on weekdays?
Restaurant occupancy on weekdays goes up when you give each day its own reason to come. On weekends guests come on their own; during the week you need an offer, an occasion or a reminder. The table shows seven ideas you can start tomorrow. All examples are values from experience and recommendations, not guarantees.
| Tag | Idea | Who it's for |
|---|---|---|
| Monday | Low-priced dish of the day | Colleagues, neighbors |
| Tuesday | Two dishes, one price | Couples |
| Wednesday | Lunch special at a fixed time | Offices nearby |
| Thursday | Theme day, for example pasta or fish | Regular guests |
| Friday lunch | Small menu for teams | Companies |
| Weekday evenings | Group table with advance booking | Clubs, families |
| Spontaneous | Seats still free today, short message | Contacts who have agreed |
Which weekdays are really empty?
First look at your own numbers: for four weeks, count per day how many seats were taken and at what time the gaps appear. A notebook or your till overview is enough for that. Often it is not the whole day that is empty, but only one time slot, for example early evening. That is the gap you fill on purpose.
Which offers work best during the week?
Simple offers with a clear reason work best: a dish of the day, a fixed menu, a theme day. Our recommendation from practice: no more than one or two offers at the same time, so guests remember what applies when. Give each offer a fixed weekday so it becomes a habit. An extra, for example a drink with the menu, often works better than a discount on everything and costs you less.
How do you bring groups and companies to quiet days?
Approach groups and companies directly, with an offer for their occasion. Club meetings, team dinners and birthdays don't have to happen on Saturday. Offer a fixed group table during the week, with a small menu and advance booking. Ask regular guests whether they would recommend you in their company or club. A short card at the till with your weekly offer helps with that.
How do you bring regular guests back more often?
You bring regular guests back more often when you remind them at the right moment. Guests like your restaurant but don't always think of you in everyday life. A short message with the offer of the week is enough. Ask guests right at the table for permission to send them news, for example with a QR code on the menu. Without consent, you send nothing.
How does SmartChat help you with this?
With SmartChat, you send your weekly offer as a newsletter to contacts who have agreed to receive it. Collect contacts with a QR code on the table and menu, or with a landing page. You send the newsletter with one click, and sending costs no credits. Anyone who doesn't want messages anymore writes STOP. You can find more on the page for restaurants. SmartChat is one way among several, and the ideas above also work without it.
All details are examples.
Frequently asked questions about empty tables.
Which weekday is the weakest in a restaurant?
That differs from location to location. Count yourself for four weeks, then you know your day.
Is a discount during the week worth it?
Often better than a discount on everything is an extra with the menu. Our recommendation: one offer, one fixed day.
How many offers should I have at the same time?
One or two. Guests hardly remember more.
May I simply send weekly offers to my guests?
No. You only send to contacts who agreed.
How do I get consent to offers in the restaurant?
For example with a QR code on the menu or at the table that leads to the sign-up.
What does it cost to send the weekly offer to guests?
Sending costs no credits at SmartChat.
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Last updated: By SmartChat Team