6 tips for a successful Christmas period

Get your staffing right

By now, you should have bookings coming in, so you’ll have a better idea of the level of footfall you’re expecting. Compare this to your staffing levels. Have you got enough? It continues to be a difficult time for hospitality recruitment, which means it might be out of your hands, but if numbers look tight, try and recruit some more temporary staff if possible.

Stock up on drinks

Have you put in your big drinks order yet? Are you OK for glassware and straws? Now’s the time to check your stock. If you haven’t finalised your festive drinks menu yet, take a look at our online article, which picks out the essential beers, cider, wine, spirits and soft drinks. Check out these cocktail and mocktail recipesfor inspiration here

“Set menus still have a better perceived value among customers and
pre-orders can help control your food costs and manage busy service” 

James Birch, Development Chef at Unilever

Shout from the rooftops

If bookings are slow, you need to raise your voice! Get your team to share your Christmas offering with anyone who comes in. Contact last year’s customers with your special offers if you have their  emails. You could even run a competition on your social channels to help spread the word. Use your most enticing dish and drink photos to advertise it.

Team knowledge is key

To maximise sales, your staff are key. Brief them every week and make sure they know the menus inside out. Encourage upselling and share the high-profit dishes and drinks with them. Create a bit of healthy motivation in your team – run a competition to see who can bring in the most upsells. The winner gets a bonus in their pay.

Partner with a charity

Christmas can be a hard time for many so why not give something back to your local community and do something positive for the environment? Join forces with a food bank or charity to donate any surplus food and drink you would have otherwise wasted. Post about it on your social channels to encourage customers to help out too. Click for more information on FareShare.

Alternative income streams

Instead of the same old socks or toiletries sets, give customers a fresh idea for those difficult-to-buy-for relatives and friends – a gift card for your venue.Promote them on your social channels and pop a poster on the bar. As well as well-designed physical vouchers, offer online ones that can be emailed – perfect for the last-minute buyers on Christmas Eve!