Winter brings colder weather, shorter days, and an increased desire for comfort. For many restaurants, this season can mean a slowdown in dine-in traffic. However, offering to-go options and online ordering can help your business thrive during these colder months. Let’s explore why this strategy is beneficial, especially considering current weather patterns and trends.
Cater to the Comfort Seekers
People often prefer to stay home as temperatures drop, seeking comfort and warmth rather than venturing out into the cold.
Offering to-go and online ordering options can cater to customers who prefer the comfort of home while still enjoying their favorite meals.
Boost Sales During Slow Periods
Winter is often a slower season for restaurants, with bad weather deterring customers from dining out. According to POS Toasttab, inclement weather can lead to significant restaurant losses, with some establishments losing between $3,000 and $6,000 on a single snow day. Additionally, weather can influence customer satisfaction, with increased complaints on rainy days due to discomfort and inconvenience.
Providing online ordering and to-go options can help mitigate these losses by reaching customers who prefer to stay home during such conditions.
Expand Your Customer Base
Online ordering enables you to reach customers beyond local foot traffic, which is particularly useful during extreme weather conditions. For instance, Lineup.ai highlights that heavy rain or snow often deters potential diners from visiting restaurants, significantly reducing foot traffic and sales. Understanding these weather impacts is crucial for restaurant owners to make informed decisions and adapt their operations to serve customers better during adverse weather conditions
Enhance Customer Loyalty and Engagement
By offering online ordering and to-go options, you can gather valuable data on customer preferences and behaviors, allowing you to create personalized promotions, such as winter-themed specials or loyalty rewards for frequent orders. This strategy can help you maintain customer loyalty and engagement, especially during unpredictable weather when diners might be more inclined to stay at home
Adapt to Changing Consumer Behavior
Consumer behavior has increasingly shifted towards convenience and contactless service, a trend accelerated by recent weather challenges like heatwaves, droughts, and storms. Offering online ordering and to-go aligns with these new preferences, ensuring your business remains relevant and appealing to modern consumers who prioritize safety and convenience
Reduce Overheads and Optimize Operations
Maintaining in-house dining during winter can be costly, especially when foot traffic is low due to extreme weather. By focusing on to-go and online orders, you can reduce some costs associated with running a full-service restaurant, such as heating a large dining area or maintaining a full front-of-house staff. This strategy is particularly effective given the current weather challenges — from expanding droughts in the West to tropical storms along the Gulf Coast.
Encourage Pre-Orders for Better Inventory Management
Online ordering systems allow for pre-orders, helping your business manage inventory more effectively. This is crucial during winter when weather conditions can cause supply chain disruptions. Knowing in advance what items are in high demand allows you to adjust your purchasing and preparation processes, reducing waste and ensuring that you have the right ingredients on hand.
Capitalize on Holiday and Seasonal Trends
Winter is filled with holidays and special occasions, which can be an excellent opportunity for restaurants to offer seasonal menus, family-sized meal deals, or holiday-themed packages. With to-go and online ordering, your business can cater to customers looking to celebrate at home, especially when adverse weather conditions make going out less appealing.
Offer a Competitive Edge
Not all restaurants provide to-go and online ordering, particularly in smaller markets or niche sectors. Given the ongoing challenges posed by extreme weather, including current heatwaves, droughts, and tropical storms, offering these options gives your business a competitive edge, making you the go-to choice for customers who value convenience and safety
Promote Your Brand and Increase Visibility
Every to-go order is an opportunity to make a lasting impression. Use branded packaging and an easy-to-navigate online ordering platform to reinforce your brand’s identity. This approach is especially effective when adverse weather conditions limit outdoor activities, encouraging customers to share their experiences online and increasing your restaurant’s visibility.
Conclusion
Offering to-go options and online ordering during winter is more than just a smart business move — it’s a necessary adaptation to the current market environment. With adverse weather conditions affecting different parts of the U.S., such as heatwaves and droughts in the West, your restaurant can stay resilient by catering to comfort seekers, boosting sales during slow periods, and enhancing customer loyalty. Embrace these strategies to ensure that your business remains a top choice for customers, no matter the weather.
By considering how weather impacts restaurant operations — from foot traffic to customer satisfaction — and adapting accordingly, your business can survive and thrive during winter months.
Sources:
Posttab.com
lineup.ai
origin-east-01-drupal-climate.woc.noaa.gov
openai.com