1. Create festive experiences to showcase your events
Celebrate the holidays with special events, like a five-course Christmas dinner, a festive brunch, or a New Year’s Eve party. The ideas are endless and you can showcase your experiences online with holiday-themed pictures and special menus. Learn more here about how to create your experiences.
2. Use a waitlist to fill last-minute empty spots
Especially during the holiday season you want to avoid last-minute cancellations. A waitlist helps you to fill those last-minute empty tables fast. Learn more here about our waitlist solution to fill last-minute cancellations and avoid lost revenue.
Pro tip: Ask guests to reconfirm their reservation by enabling the reconfirmation email within your shifts.
3. Adjust shifts, hours, and seating for the season
During the holidays, you may need to extend hours or increase shifts. Plan for these changes ahead of time, and rearrange your tables to accommodate larger parties. A well-prepared setup helps you smoothly handle the holiday rush.
4. Secure reservations with prepayments
Especially during the holidays you want your reservations secured. Avoid no-shows by requiring prepayments or credit card guarantees for reservations. Guests are more likely to show up if they’ve already made a financial commitment, and if they don’t, you’re covered! Learn more about how to set it up here.
5. Offer a “Restaurant at Home” experience
Offer holiday takeaway boxes with signature dishes for those who want to enjoy a delicious Christmas or New Year’s Eve dinner at home. It’s the perfect opportunity to reach more guests and create an additional revenue stream. Setup your click & collect shop here.
6. Sell gift vouchers for additional revenue
Gift vouchers make perfect holiday presents! Set up a shop where guests can buy vouchers for set amounts or specific experiences, like a chef’s tasting menu. They’re a perfect way to generate extra revenue and bring in guests even after the holiday season. The shop is all integrated into your widget on your website. Set up your gift voucher shop here.
7. Promote your holiday specials with Email & SMS campaigns
Promote your holiday specials through email and SMS campaigns to secure those important reservations. Share your special menus, events, and gift voucher or takeaway options to create excitement, secure reservations and drive revenue. Set up your campaigns here.
Pro tip: Always add a clear call to action in your campaign and it’s better to send multiple short emails, than one very long email. This will help you to engage with guests and achieve your desired results!
8. Update your digital menu to show your holiday specials
Holiday-specific menu items are a great way to get guests excited, so make sure these are displayed online! Show off special holiday dishes, desserts, or drinks on your website so guests know what they can expect before they arrive. Update your menu here.
9. Download the ZenchefOS mobile App
If you haven’t already, download the ZenchefOS app for iOS or Android to stay organized and manage reservations on the go. This app makes it easy to manage reservations and keep track of guest details from your phone or tablet.
Start planning today to make this holiday season a successful one and end 2024 with a bang. Any questions? We’re here to help! You can reach us at help@zenchef.com.
