Marketing Opportunities for November: Capturing the Festive Spirit

November brings with it cooler weather, a focus on gatherings, and a prelude to the holiday season. These marketing opportunities will help your restaurant and bar embrace the Thanksgiving spirit, football season, and cozy fall flavors. From introducing limited-edition seasonal items to hosting engaging events, these strategies will encourage guests to visit your establishment, connect with your offerings, and return for more.

• Description: Introduce a lineup of cocktails featuring rich fall flavors like cranberry, cinnamon, and pear.
• Local Partnership: Partner with a local distillery or cider maker to feature their spirits or ciders.
• Charity: Donate $1 from each cocktail to a local food bank.
• Method of Execution:
  • Collaborate with the distillery to select spirits and develop 3-5 cocktail recipes.
  • Train bartenders on the new cocktails and their stories.
  • Create visuals and videos showcasing the cocktails for social media.
  • Set up donation tracking for each cocktail sold.
• Action Plan:
  • Kick-off with a launch event featuring samples of the cocktails.
  • Promote the charity aspect through email campaigns, in-house signage, and social media.
  • Track weekly sales of the cocktails and total donations to the charity.

• Description: Offer Thanksgiving dinner packages for customers to take home.
• Local Partnership: Source ingredients from a local farm or market.
• Charity: Partner with a homeless shelter to donate meals.
• Method of Execution:
  • Collaborate with the chef to develop a family-sized menu of traditional and unique Thanksgiving dishes.
  • Set up online and in-store pre-order systems with clear cut-off dates.
  • Organize delivery or pick-up schedules.
• Action Plan:
  • Market the meal packages through email blasts, social media, and local media.
  • Create digital content showcasing the local farm partnerships.
  • Organize the meal donation event with the shelter, including press coverage.

• Description: Create a Game Day Menu with beer specials and football-themed food platters.
• Local Partnership: Collaborate with a local brewery for exclusive beer specials.
• Charity: Partner with a youth sports organization, donating a portion of proceeds.
• Method of Execution:
  • Work with the brewery to develop a custom beer menu for game days.
  • Design a Game Day Menu with food platters for large groups.
  • Set up donation tracking for football game days.
• Action Plan:
  • Promote the specials on social media and during sports games with targeted ads.
  • Display the partnership with the youth sports charity in-house and online.
  • Measure sales each game day and report donations to the charity.

• Description: Offer a pairing menu featuring Thanksgiving flavors.
• Local Partnership: Work with a local butcher or artisanal cheese maker.
• Charity: Donate meals to a local soup kitchen with each pairing purchased.
• Method of Execution:
  • Collaborate with the chef to design pairings using local products.
  • Print specialized pairing menus and add the dishes to your POS system.
  • Coordinate meal donations with the soup kitchen.
• Action Plan:
  • Promote the menu online and in-house using stories about local sourcing.
  • Set up clear tracking for each pairing sold and meals donated.
  • Host a special dinner event showcasing the pairings, with proceeds going to the charity.

• Description: Offer samples of holiday-themed mocktails.
• Local Partnership: Collaborate with a local juice supplier or kombucha brewer.
• Charity: Donate proceeds to a children’s hospital.
• Method of Execution:
  • Develop 3-4 mocktail recipes and train staff on preparation and tasting notes.
  • Organize sampling days where customers can try mocktails for free.
  • Promote the mocktails on social media with a focus on family-friendly options.
• Action Plan:
  • Use customer feedback to refine recipes.
  • Track mocktail sales and collect donations for the children’s hospital.
  • Feature customer reviews and photos on social media, reinforcing the charity aspect.

• Description: Revamp happy hour with warm cocktails and comfort food.
• Local Partnership: Partner with a local bakery or chocolatier.
• Charity: Donate warm drinks or meals to a local warming shelter.
• Method of Execution:
  • Update your happy hour menu with seasonal items like spiked cider and hot chocolate.
  • Collaborate with the bakery to offer desserts as part of the happy hour.
  • Set up donation drives with the warming shelter.
• Action Plan:
  • Promote through your loyalty program, social media, and flyers.
  • Organize a happy hour kick-off event to draw attention to the new items.
  • Coordinate donations with the shelter and share results with customers.

• Description: Host a themed brunch for "Friendsgiving."
• Local Partnership: Partner with a local florist for seasonal decorations.
• Charity: Donate a portion of proceeds to a foster care organization.
• Method of Execution:
  • Design a special Friendsgiving brunch menu featuring shareable dishes.
  • Work with the florist to create themed table centerpieces.
  • Offer group discounts for parties over 6.
• Action Plan:
  • Advertise the event on social media with the charity focus.
  • Run social media ads targeting large groups and brunch lovers.
  • Post-event, share the donation total and thank customers for participating.

• Description: Feature a different seasonal beer each week.
• Local Partnership: Partner with a local craft brewery.
• Charity: Donate a portion of beer sales to a veterans' organization.
• Method of Execution:
  • Work with the brewery to curate a beer lineup for each week.
  • Highlight each beer’s tasting notes and food pairing suggestions.
  • Promote the Veterans Day connection and donation on all platforms.
• Action Plan:
  • Launch a campaign featuring the beer of the week on social media.
  • Host tasting nights where customers can try the featured beer with brewery reps.
  • Track weekly sales and share updates on donations.

• Description: Launch a holiday gift card deal.
• Local Partnership: Work with a local print shop or artist for custom card designs.
• Charity: Donate a portion of gift card sales to a local education charity.
• Method of Execution:
  • Collaborate with the artist or print shop to create holiday-themed gift cards.
  • Offer holiday bonuses, such as “Buy $50, Get $10 Free.”
  • Promote gift cards through email newsletters and social media.
• Action Plan:
  • Set up in-store displays and digital gift card sales options.
  • Run gift card promotions on social media and create holiday countdown campaigns.
  • Track sales and donations, and promote updates to customers.

• Description: Host a charity drive to support a local cause.
• Local Partnership: Work with a local non-profit focused on hunger or youth programs.
• Charity: Support the chosen charity with donation drives.
• Method of Execution:
  • Coordinate with the non-profit to organize a collection drive at your venue.
  • Provide incentives like discounts for customers who donate.
  • Organize a special event, like a holiday meal, with proceeds going to the charity.
• Action Plan:
  • Promote the charity drive and incentives in-house, on social media, and through email.
  • Organize a celebration event to thank donors and raise additional funds.
  • Share photos and results of the charity drive to keep the community engaged.

• Description: Host a pre-Thanksgiving party.
• Local Partnership: Collaborate with a local event planner or DJ.
• Charity: Partner with a community kitchen to donate Thanksgiving meals.
• Method of Execution:
  • Create a themed party menu with specialty drinks and small plates.
  • Hire a DJ or live band to add excitement to the event.
  • Offer ticket or cover charge options, with proceeds going to the charity.
• Action Plan:
  • Run targeted social media ads to promote the party.
  • Create event listings on local platforms and community boards.
  • Share the donation results and community impact after the event.

• Description: Offer double points or exclusive rewards for loyalty members.
• Local Partnership: Partner with a local retail shop for cross-promotional offers.
• Charity: Support a children’s charity with loyalty program sales.
• Method of Execution:
  • Offer exclusive deals, like free appetizers, for loyalty members throughout November.
  • Create joint offers with the retail partner, such as discount vouchers for both businesses.
  • Promote the charity aspect by donating part of the sales to the children's charity.
• Action Plan:
  • Market loyalty benefits through in-house signage, email, and social media.
  • Run a contest where the top loyalty members win additional prizes.
  • Track sales and donation impact to share with the community.

• Description: Create a menu using locally sourced fall ingredients.
• Local Partnership: Source produce from local farms or farmers' markets.
• Charity: Donate proceeds to a farm-to-school program.
• Method of Execution:
  • Design a menu around locally sourced fall produce like squash, pumpkins, and apples.
  • Collaborate with the farmers to feature their stories and products in your marketing.
  • Set up donation tracking for each fall dish sold.
• Action Plan:
  • Promote the local ingredients and partnerships through social media, emphasizing sustainability.
  • Create limited-time specials to drive urgency.
  • Track and promote donations going toward farm-to-school programs.

• Description: Create a seasonal pumpkin-themed dessert menu.
• Local Partnership: Work with a local bakery to feature their pumpkin pies and baked goods.
• Charity: Donate proceeds to a children’s after-school program.
• Method of Execution:
  • Feature desserts like pumpkin pies, cheesecakes, and pumpkin spice lattes.
  • Collaborate with the bakery to design a special dessert menu.
  • Organize a charity dessert night where part of the proceeds goes to the after-school program.
• Action Plan:
  • Promote the desserts with mouth-watering visuals on social media.
  • Encourage customers to share photos using a special hashtag.
  • Highlight the charity aspect by tracking and sharing donation amounts.

• Description: Run a social media photo contest with fall-themed dishes and drinks.
• Local Partnership: Work with a local photographer or social media influencer.
• Charity: Donate $1 for every photo entry to a local arts charity.
• Method of Execution:
  • Create a contest theme around fall dishes or drinks.
  • Collaborate with the photographer or influencer to judge and promote the contest.
  • Offer prizes like free meals or gift cards for the best entries.
• Action Plan:
  • Promote the contest through all digital channels.
  • Encourage customer participation with fun captions and contest rules.
  • Share winning photos and donation updates across social media.

• Description: Host outdoor events with live music and bonfires.
• Local Partnership: Partner with local musicians and a music school.
• Charity: Donate proceeds to a local environmental charity.
• Method of Execution:
  • Set up outdoor heaters, fire pits, and a cozy seating area for guests.
  • Schedule local musicians or bands to perform at your venue.
  • Promote the environmental charity, donating part of event proceeds to eco-friendly initiatives.
• Action Plan:
  • Market the event as a unique seasonal experience.
  • Use social media and local event listings to drive attendance.
  • Track sales and highlight the donation impact in follow-up communications.

• Description: Host a mixology class for Thanksgiving-themed cocktails.
• Local Partnership: Work with a local mixologist or barware supplier.
• Charity: Donate class fees to a local food bank.
• Method of Execution:
  • Set up an interactive mixology class where guests learn to make holiday cocktails.
  • Provide each guest with a take-home kit, including recipes and barware.
  • Track class registrations and donation totals.
• Action Plan:
  • Promote the class on social media and through email campaigns.
  • Offer limited spots to create exclusivity.
  • Share event photos and donation results with attendees and the community.

• Description: Decorate your restaurant/bar with fall-themed decorations.
• Local Partnership: Work with a local décor company or craft store.
• Charity: Partner with a local youth arts program, allowing kids to create décor.
• Method of Execution:
  • Collaborate with the décor company to source seasonal items like pumpkins, fairy lights, and centerpieces.
  • Invite local youth to design some of the decorations, with proceeds going toward supporting arts education.
  • Create a cozy, Instagram-worthy environment.
• Action Plan:
  • Promote the fall décor on social media, encouraging customers to take photos.
  • Share stories about the local youth involvement in creating the decorations.
  • Host a contest or event showcasing the fall atmosphere and décor.

• Description: Offer a post-Thanksgiving brunch for Black Friday shoppers.
• Local Partnership: Collaborate with a local coffee roaster.
• Charity: Donate proceeds to a local scholarship fund.
• Method of Execution:
  • Design a special Black Friday brunch menu with hearty dishes and exclusive coffee blends.
  • Offer discounts or specials for shoppers to refuel during their day.
  • Track sales and coordinate donations with the scholarship fund.
• Action Plan:
  • Promote the event with a sense of urgency, targeting early risers and shoppers.
  • Use local partnerships to highlight the brunch as a community event.
  • Share updates on donations to the scholarship fund in post-event communication.

• Description: Host an exclusive preview event for your holiday menu.
• Local Partnership: Collaborate with a local culinary school.
• Charity: Donate proceeds to a family services organization.
• Method of Execution:
  • Plan a prix-fixe dinner showcasing upcoming holiday dishes.
  • Feature culinary school students as part of the kitchen team to assist with meal prep.
  • Promote the event as a charity night with limited seating.
• Action Plan:
  • Advertise the event as an exclusive first look at the holiday menu.
  • Highlight the charity component in all promotional materials.
  • Post-event, share photos and donation totals, thanking the community for their support.

Execution Summary:

• Plan Ahead: Develop timelines and assign tasks for each event or promotion.
• Collaborate Closely: Build strong relationships with local businesses and charities.
• Track Success: Monitor sales, customer feedback, and engagement to assess the effectiveness of each initiative.
• Promote Widely: Use a multi-channel approach—social media, email, in-house promotions, and partnerships with local media—to maximize exposure.
• Celebrate Success: Regularly share updates on charity donations, sales milestones, and customer involvement to maintain momentum and community engagement.