How to increase your reservations and delight diners on Mother’s Day

March is just a day away, and with it comes one of the biggest occasions of the year for restaurant owners: Mother’s Day.

Taking place this year on 10th March, Mother’s Day sees families across the country get together to celebrate their brilliant mums. And what better way to celebrate than by spoiling them with a delicious meal at a fabulous restaurant?

Offering you the powerful chance to increase your bookings and attract families to your establishment, it’s an event that no restaurant should miss.

To help you drive the most value from Mother’s Day 2024, we’ve compiled our top tips for capitalising on the event’s potential.

1. Offer a custom Mother’s Day menu in your restaurant

A special occasion deserves a special menu, so Mother’s Day is a great excuse for your chefs to get creative and develop a unique three-course prix-fixe for the day. You can even offer something extra just for the mums, such as a free drink on arrival or a one-of-a-kind dessert.

If you’re offering roast dinners, you might want to give customers the option to pre-book their order so you can be confident you’ll meet demand on the day and avoid any disappointment.

Make sure you add your set menu — including an exclusive discount — to your listing on TheFork to attract diners looking for Mother’s Day destinations. Don’t forget to add a Mother’s Day back-end tag so your restaurant gets maximum exposure.

2. Shout about your Mother’s Day offerings

Once you’ve planned how your restaurant will celebrate Mother’s Day, make sure everyone knows about it. A great place to start is by sending an enticing email invite to your marketing database.

Promote the event — including your special menu and any deals — on your social media accounts like Instagram and Facebook to build up hype for the day and increase your bookings.

You could even encourage social media users to get involved in a competition to win a Mother’s Day prize, such as a free bottle of fizz or a discount on their booking.

3. Create a welcoming atmosphere

On the day itself, take the time to give your restaurant some extra special flourishes for the occasion. Think pastel garlands, cosy candles, and plenty of fresh flowers.

Show off your Mother’s Day decor on Facebook and Instagram to get your booked-in diners excited — and to show other customers why they should make a reservation with you for their next special occasion.

To guarantee a smooth service, you might want to bring in some additional staff to help out on Mother’s Day. That way, your staff will have enough capacity to focus on delivering the best possible experience to the VIMs — that’s the Very Important Mums.

Mother’s Day is a special day for families, but it also can be a very special day for your restaurant, offering you a golden opportunity to impress new customers and nurture more loyalty from your regular diners.

Find more how-to guides and exclusive tips for increasing your reservations with TheFork Manager blog.