This year, many American families will celebrate Easter by eating out. In 2013, the National Restaurant Association estimated that 33 million Americans would celebrate Easter by dining out, with buffets being their most sought-after choice. Half of last year’s restaurant guests said they visited a restaurant at lunchtime, 44% said they had plans for dinner, while 21% percent celebrated at breakfast.

Easter is on the early side this year, on April 1, so owners who want to organize a great Easter restaurant promotion should start planning now ― and order their holiday-themed store signage and local store marketing as soon as possible.

Here are our favorite restaurant promotions for Easter.

1. Easter-Themed Menus

On Easter weekend, many restaurants offer their traditional menu, paired with Easter specials. Smoked salmon, roasted lamb and french toast, along with Bloody Mary or classic mimosa, are the key elements of traditional Easter menus.

Pro Tip: Guests will most likely be dining with their families, so be sure there is a kid-friendly option on the menu (and group discounts!)

2. All-You-Can-Eat Buffet

Consider offering a buffet to attract numerous families. Boston’s Liquid Art House organized an all-you-eat buffet with classics like eggs Benedict and brioche French toast, as well as a build-a-bagel sandwich option and a custom omelet station. The prix-fixe setting ($60 per person, $15 per child) comes with advantages for guests: kids under four eat free, and one mimosa or Japanese peach bellini is included in each adults’ admission.

3. Egg-stravagant Giveaways

If you want to please your customers, a sweet (free) gift to take home may go a long way. Bar Boulud, for example, promises that all the children will be happy after they receive a chocolate bunny pop to take home. Other giveaway ideas include:

  • Mini Easter Baskets
  • Chocolate bunnies
  • Easter stickers
  • Easter pencils
  • Temporary tattoos
  • Easter-inspired bounceback offers

Need more ideas? Contact us, and we’ll help you source Easter-inspired giveaways.

4. Easter Pajama Brunch

Easter is, after all, a Sunday, and what most people like to do on Sundays is sleep in. Boston’s Tremont 647 organizes Pajama Brunches that have become one of the American-style restaurant’s signature events.

5. Free Easter Egg Hunt

According to the National Restaurant Association, fourteen percent of potential customers said they would likely choose a restaurant with Easter-related activities for kids. Organizing a kid-friendly activity like an Easter egg hunt is the best way to attract families to your restaurant. You can plan multiple egg hunting sessions to accommodate more families over the whole Easter weekend.

If you print or order stickers that look like bunny tracks, you’ll have a temporary holiday-themed décor at a reasonable cost.

Pro Tip: Hide special offers and promos in the eggs for kid-friendly items on your menu.

6. Mini-Petting Zoo

In line with kid-friendly activities, consider hosting a mini-petting zoo at your restaurant. No child will resist the opportunity to pet their Easter favorites. Last year, downtown Miami restaurant Toro Toro opened a bunny petting zoo, while Sixteen in Chicago hosted a temporary mini zoo with ducks and chicks. If keeping living animals in your restaurant is not an option, no worries. Table tents or window clings that are animal- or Easter-themed also work to entertain children.

Need help with your Easter restaurant promotions?

Contact Dot It for help with Easter-themed custom print like menus, giveaways, in-store signage and more! Our LTO experts can help you get all your locations ready for Easter. Call 800-642-3687 or email Sales@DotIt.com to learn more.