1. Set Your Christmas Menu
- Test and tweak your festive recipes in advance
- Confirm dishes, costings and pricing.
- Create prep sheets for the kitchen.
- Clearly label allergens and design a standout menu
Tip: Go for classic, crowd-pleaser dishes that are easy to prep, serve and profit from.
2. Order Smart, Order Early
- Stock up on your everyday essentials and seasonal ingredients
- Confirm supplier cut-off dates for Christmas deliveries.
- Add a buffer for delays or shortages.
Tip: Don’t risk running out of turkey on 23rd December
3. Lock In Your Staff Schedule
- Post peak shift schedules early
- Confirm staff availability and time off requests
- Offer Christmas bonuses or perks for morale
- Cross-train your team for flexibility
Tip: Always have a backup plan. Someone could possibly call in sick or cancel last minute.
4. Promote Early & Often
- Announce your Christmas menu and opening hours online.
- Promote group bookings and pre-orders with limited-time offers.
- Use email marketing and social media to stay top of your audiences’ minds
Tip: People want to plan ahead for Christmas; make it easy for them to pick you.
5. Add Quick Festive Touches
- Decorate key areas like entrances and counters
- Use seasonal decorations for table settings and centrepieces
- Create a festive playlist to set the mood
- Offer a free treat with orders (e.g cookies or candy canes).
Tip: It’s the little things that get remembered and shared.
6. Prep For the Post-Holiday Dip
- Plan a deep clean or maintenance day
- Review what worked and what didn’t.
- Prep for New Year’s Eve promotions
- Restock for January
7. Take Care of Yourself, Too
- Block out your own time off
- Delegate where possible
- Celebrate small wins with your team to keep up morale and motivation
Tip: A strong December can set the tone for the year ahead.
Final word: Don’t Wing It
The holidays are one of the busiest and most profitable times of the year for food service. If you plan now, promote early and stay organised, you’re on to a winner. You’ve got this.
And remember, if you need additional help with planning, please contact your account manager, who will be happy to offer advice and support during this busy season.
