As we head into the final quarter of the year, one thing is clear for Filipinos – the back-to-back festive season is here! With Christmas, New Year, and Chinese New Year on the horizon, it’s the perfect time for restaurants to step up and create unforgettable dining experiences. This festive stretch brings with it a fantastic opportunity to stand out with special, celebratory menu offerings that cater to every kind of festive gathering.
But to really make the most of this festive rush, you need more than just good food. You need a smart, strategic approach to menu planning – one that not only boosts revenue but also keeps your customers coming back for more.
By tapping into data and keeping up with emerging trends, you can craft a festive menu that shines. Here are some proven, data-driven tips to help your restaurant make the most out of this festive season.
Win over younger customers with festive fusion
Millennials and Gen Z crave new experiences, especially when it comes to food. Studies show that 65% of Millennials love trying new dishes, particularly those that mix different culinary styles. With their purchasing power growing fast, and Gen Z projected to account for 27% of global income by 2030, it’s crucial to capture their interest, especially during the festive season.
The Philippines’ rich culinary heritage makes it an exciting canvas for fusion dishes that stand out. Imagine adobo-infused roast chicken or ube leche flan – dishes that not only burst with flavor but are also highly ‘Instagrammable.’ Young diners here love to capture and share their food discoveries, and these eye-catching creations can spark organic promotion, driving more foot traffic to your restaurant.
Embracing fusion isn’t just about creativity; it’s about delivering an experience diners will love and talk about, boosting your restaurant’s appeal throughout the festive season and beyond.
Drive urgency by highlighting limited-time seasonal ingredients
Using seasonal ingredients is a great way to enhance your menu and make it more inviting. Consider adding festive elements like queso de bola or ham to give your dishes that classic Filipino Christmas touch. It’s all about making your menu feel special and culturally relevant, reflecting the spirit of the season that customers cherish when they celebrate.
In fact, research indicates that 59% of consumers are more inclined to order a dish if it features seasonal ingredients. Highlighting these dishes as “only available during the festive period” creates that sense of urgency – people won’t want to miss out! You could try a Lechon Kawali with Calamansi Glaze or Bibingka Cheesecake for Christmas to make your festive offerings irresistible and timely.
Cater to different dietary requirements
In the Philippines, the demand for plant-based meals is also on the rise – a 2021 survey revealed that 31% of Filipinos are actively trying to cut down on meat consumption, with more people exploring vegetarian options. This growing trend, driven by health-conscious consumers and the rise of plant-based alternatives, is impossible to ignore if you want to stay ahead!
During the festive season, offering plant-based versions of your Filipino holiday favorites – like Vegan Lechon Kawali or Jackfruit Caldereta – can truly make a difference. It shows your customers that you care about everyone, whether they’re seeking healthier options or following specific diets.
By catering to these preferences, you make your menu more inclusive and appealing, especially during the Christmas celebrations when family gatherings are at the heart of the season.
Plus, it makes your restaurant a perfect pick for families or groups with mixed preferences, making those large festive gatherings easier and more enjoyable for all.
Get smart about your inventory management to reduce waste and optimise costs
Festive seasons can lead to sudden increases in customer demand, which often results in over-ordering and wasted food. To avoid this, using data to predict what customers will want is really helpful. A POS system like StoreHub can make this easier by giving you real-time inventory tracking and helpful data insights so you can better plan for busy times.
For example, if your past data shows that desserts were super popular last festive season, you can stock up on more dessert ingredients. StoreHub’s advanced data and analytics help you see these trends clearly, so you can manage your supplies better and cut down on waste. By understanding which dishes are most popular, you can plan your festive menu confidently and keep unnecessary costs low.
Encourage higher spending with “festive samplers”
Who doesn’t love a good sampler? Especially during the festive season, these options are a hit – they let customers try a bit of everything without the commitment of a full dish.
Why not create a Festive Appetizer Sampler with small portions of your best starters or a Dessert Tasting Platter featuring Filipino holiday treats like Bibingka, Puto Bumbong, and Ube Halaya? These samplers are perfect for family reunions and Noche Buena celebrations, making sharing and enjoying traditional flavors more fun and festive.
Plus, they’re great for upselling since guests get to enjoy more of your festive specials without needing to order several full-sized dishes. It’s a win-win: more flavors for them, more sales for you!
Bundle prices for groups and families
Festive seasons are all about bringing friends and family together, and these group gatherings are the perfect chance to use price bundling to boost sales. So why not make the most of this trend?
Create some family-style set menus designed for sharing. Imagine a Filipino Noche Buena Feast featuring a whole Lechon Manok (symbolizing prosperity), Pancit Malabon for long life, and a special Puto Bumbong Cheesecake for that festive touch. These sets bring the warmth and tradition of Filipino Christmas to the table, perfect for celebrating with loved ones.
These kinds of sets make ordering simple for large groups and keep everyone happy, while also encouraging higher spending. It’s a win for both your customers and your bottom line!
Don’t forget the drinks: festive flavours with local ingredients
Mintel says that 60% of diners are more likely to order a drink if it’s made especially for the festive season, so why not use that to your advantage? Crafting drinks with local flavors, such as a Calamansi Mojito or a Mango Pandan Holiday Punch, can really elevate the festive vibe and make the whole dining experience feel extra special.
You could also offer limited-edition drinks paired with your main courses or desserts, which can help boost sales even more. Encouraging customers to try these new flavors not only makes their experience more memorable but also increases the average bill, especially since drinks often have the best profit margins.
So, get creative and make those festive beverages count!
Tap into dessert trends
Desserts hold a special place during any celebration, and festive periods see a marked rise in demand for special sweets.
Curate a special dessert menu that includes unique, culturally relevant options. Consider offerings like Ube Cheesecake with Coconut Drizzle or Bibingka Yule Log. These festive desserts showcase Filipino flavors and bring a delightful twist to your holiday menu.
Even offering dessert customization, like “decorate your own holiday cookies” for kids – can add an interactive element that attracts families and creates memorable experiences.
Conclusion
Menu planning for the festive season in the Philippines involves more than just creating a few themed dishes. It requires understanding your audience, leveraging local and seasonal ingredients, and using data to make informed decisions.
By offering festive fusion dishes, highlighting seasonal exclusives, managing your inventory strategically, and catering to diverse dietary needs, you can create a memorable experience for your customers.
Tools like StoreHub can provide insights that take the guesswork out of inventory planning and help optimize your festive offerings.
Whether it’s a limited-time dish or a festive sampler, these strategies can help you stand out during the festive period, increase customer satisfaction, and boost your sales.
This festive season, make sure your menu planning reflects the spirit of the celebrations while also keeping in mind the emerging trends and data-driven insights that can set your restaurant apart from the competition. Learn how to harness the power of data this festive season with StoreHub:
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