Creative Ways to Boost Business During Alberta’s Cold Season

Fall in Alberta is exciting but short, and sometimes, restaurants find themselves with slower nights and smaller cheque sizes because people are in saving mode. However, there are great ways to capitalize on the season and make it work for you!

1. Cross-Promotions with Nearby Businesses: Partner with complementary or competing businesses to do a little cross-promotion that benefits both parties and attracts more customers. Breweries have gotten good at doing this. Take, for example, Annex Ales and Establishment Brewing in Calgary, which are two breweries that operate next door to each other. Every year, they both host a block party where they each make specialty beers and invite guests down to experience the beers at both locations; they both utilize their audiences, and together they create a bigger experience than if they just did it on their own. 

Other ideas of this same concept are things like if there’s a local event happening, offer a discount to guests who present their tickets at your restaurant. This can boost foot traffic but can also build a sense of community. It’s about sparking interest that goes beyond the restaurant.

2. Local Resident Discounts: Show appreciation to local customers with exclusive discounts. Providing special offers for residents who live nearby but may only visit occasionally. It’s an effective way to build loyalty and encourage more regular visits from your community.

A lovely example of this strategy was a pizza establishment in Calgary called UNA Pizza and Wine. They had opened up a new location in the SouthWest and needed to spread the word to people who lived in the area.  They used a promotional flyer sent in the mail to people who lived in the southwest area of Calgary, offering residents a one-time discount on their pizzas if they came in to dine with them. It was a great way to spread the word that their restaurant had a location in their area. 

3. Stretch Your Patios Into Shoulder Season:  Alberta's fall weather can still offer comfortable outdoor dining experiences, especially with a little creativity. Consider extending your patio season by incorporating heaters, blankets, and cozy lighting to keep your space inviting as the temperatures drop. Offering seasonal drinks like hot toddies or mulled wine can also enhance the outdoor atmosphere. By making your patio a comfortable and unique fall dining experience, you can continue to attract customers who enjoy the ambiance of outdoor seating even as the weather cools down.

4. Seasonal Menu Specials: Alberta’s fall harvest brings a variety of fresh, local ingredients like squash, pumpkins, and root vegetables that can inspire your fall menu. Offering seasonal dishes or rotating specials creates excitement and gives customers a reason to return to try something new. Using events like Halloween can be a great way to get creative with your menu, creating Halloween-inspired menu items. By aligning your menu with the season, you can entice diners to experience what makes fall unique in Alberta.

Here are a few cute examples of seasonal items that can add a little excitement to your menu.

5. Host Themed Nights & Events: Get creative with themed nights that align with fall festivities. Whether it’s a “Harvest Feast” dinner featuring local ingredients, or a cozy “Fall Comfort Food” evening, themed events create buzz and offer customers a unique experience. You could even host cooking classes or tastings centred around autumn flavours. Special events add a layer of excitement, giving people a reason to choose your restaurant over others.

6. Social Media Contests & Engagement: Engage your audience by launching fall-themed social media contests. Encourage customers to share their dining experience at your restaurant or show off their favourite fall-inspired dish for a chance to win a gift card or free meal. This not only increases visibility but also helps build community engagement online. Leverage the power of user-generated content to reach a broader audience while celebrating the season.

7. Gift Card Promotions: Offer a fall gift card promotion where customers receive an additional bonus for buying gift cards. For example, buy a $50 gift card and get a $10 bonus card for free. This is an excellent way to increase revenue now while encouraging repeat business in the slower months. It also makes for a perfect gift idea as the holiday season approaches, driving early sales.

By using these strategies, you can turn slow nights into lively events and keep your restaurant busy