Mother’s Day provides restaurants with a fantastic business opportunity as many people celebrate the holiday by taking their loved ones out for a special meal. To separate yourself from the competition, you need to position your restaurant in a way that's conducive to a great Mother’s Day experience. Whether you’re looking to add special Mother’s Day items to your menu or just want to run a unique holiday promotion, we’ve created a guide to help your establishment feed a hungry crowd and make the most of Mother’s Day.
Mother’s Day Brunch Menu Ideas
Planning a menu specifically for Mother’s Day is one way to help your meal service feel like a special occasion, and it can simplify the preparation process for your kitchen staff, too. If you’re unsure of what to serve in your restaurant this Mother’s Day, check out our menu suggestions below.
- Baked French Toast: This dish is quicker than making pieces of French toast individually because it can be assembled in large pans. It can even be reheated to order. Fresh berries and cream on top make this a sweet choice that’s a twist on traditional brunch fare.
- Frittata: Quicker than quiche, frittatas can be prepared with many different ingredients to satisfy customers’ cravings for savory foods. Additionally, you can get creative with your toppings, offering anything from salmon and dill to tomato and cheddar.
- Moroccan Poached Eggs: This North African dish, also called shakshuka, is a nod to the trend of international cuisine taking center stage and will entice your more adventurous moms. Served with a simple flatbread, this dish is a showstopper.
- Monte Cristo Sandwich: This classic grilled ham and cheese sandwich is made with French toast as its bread. To simplify preparation, you can use the same type of bread you use for your baked French toast.
- Parfait: A lighter option of yogurt, berries, and granola is a healthy choice that’s as pretty as it is delicious, especially if you include an edible flower as a garnish. Parfaits also make a great side dish or dessert that’s perfect as an add-on item.
Pair your delicious menu items with unique Mother's Day mimosas to help your customers celebrate in style.
5 Ideas for Mother’s Day Restaurant Promotions
According to the National Restaurant Association, Mother’s Day is the busiest day of the year for restaurants. With more than half the country’s population planning to dine out on Mother’s Day, your establishment needs to offer promotions that will stand out from your competition. Check out these suggestions for simple ways your restaurant can bring in more customers this Mother’s Day.
1. Open Earlier Than Usual
If your business typically only opens for lunch and dinner, consider opening a little earlier on Mother's Day to take advantage of the large number of diners who will be searching for a great place to eat before lunchtime. This allows you to serve an exclusive Mother’s Day brunch menu.
2. Offer Discounted Food to Moms
Giving your customers the opportunity to save a little money is a great way to make your business stand out. Try offering a discount for mothers’ entrees or make their entrees free with the purchase of another. During your dinner service, you can offer mothers a free cocktail or a beautiful French dessert to complete their meals.
3. Try a Prix Fixe Menu
Prix fixe menus are not only a great way for your restaurant to maximize profits, but they also make things simpler for your guests. On a holiday that is so popular for dining out, families may eat together in big groups, and a prix fixe menu could make things easier when it comes time to pay. Plus, limiting your menu allows your kitchen staff to work more efficiently, so you can get orders out faster.
4. Have a Raffle for Prizes
You can put together a gift basket or give away a gift certificate to one of the moms celebrating at your restaurant this Mother’s Day. Give each mother a ticket and announce a winner during your meal service to help your customers feel special.
5. Partner with a Charity
For your customers, Mother’s Day is the chance to thank their mother, grandmother, or other special loved one for what she does. Your restaurant can encourage the grateful spirit of the day by donating proceeds to a charity like a local women’s shelter, hospital, or food bank. If you promote this partnership before the holiday, you may even attract more customers who appreciate your generosity to other organizations.
How to Prepare Your Restaurant for Mother’s Day
To make this holiday a success, you need to prepare your restaurant for a higher volume of customers. Here are our suggestions to help your establishment stay organized for Mother’s Day.
1. Consider Hiring Seasonal Staff
Even though Mother’s Day is only one day, some customers may celebrate in the weeks before or after the holiday. As a result, you may need to take on some temporary staff members for the month of May. Since Mother’s Day is in May, you can also consider expanding your staff by hiring high school and college students that are entering summer break. You’ll want to make sure you have enough staff coverage to maintain a smooth service.
2. Take Mother’s Day Reservations
Even if your restaurant doesn’t normally take reservations, Mother’s Day is the perfect time to accept them. This helps you anticipate how many staff members you’ll require and how much food you’ll need to prepare. Plus, many customers will like the security of having a reserved table on the busiest day of the year.
3. Consider Setting Up More Tables than Usual
If you have any extra space that isn’t ordinarily used for seating (like a patio space), you may want to set out a few extra tables for the day. Don't put too many tables in your space, as this could create an unpleasant experience for your customers and your servers. Create a beautiful table setting complete with tablecloths and centerpiece vases that are filled with spring flowers to make your meal service unique for the holiday.
How to Promote Your Restaurant for Mother’s Day
Now that you have a plan for how to prepare your restaurant for Mother’s Day, you need a strategy for getting the word out to potential customers.
- Social media: Social media is a great tool for reaching customers on Mother’s Day and every day. If you have a sizable number of followers, posting announcements on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and even TikTok is an effective way to get the word out about any events you may be planning at your restaurant this Mother’s Day.
- Customer service: In the weeks leading up to Mother’s Day, have your servers encourage customers to come back for your special brunch.
- Print marketing: Consider printing out flyers and hanging them in a visible place inside your restaurant. If you have a good relationship with any local community groups, ask if you can post your flyers on their bulletin boards.
No matter how you choose to celebrate Mother’s Day this year, make sure you don’t lose sight of the most important part: celebrating moms! Encourage your staff to take the time to wish a happy Mother’s Day to all the moms who visit your business and do your best to maintain a pleasant atmosphere, even if service becomes very busy.
