Late July and early August can be a tricky time for restaurants. The initial summer rush slows down, customers are traveling, and many families are focused on back-to-school preparations. This seasonal dip in foot traffic—commonly known as the summer slump—doesn’t have to mean a decline in sales. With the right strategies, restaurants can attract new customers, boost revenue, and maintain engagement throughout the late summer months. Here’s how:
1. Leverage Local Events to Drive Foot Traffic
Partnering with summer festivals, concerts, or sporting events can give your restaurant a much-needed boost in exposure and traffic. These events bring crowds looking for convenient dining options before or after the festivities.
How to Take Advantage:
Offer event-themed specials or discounts to ticket holders.
Set up a food booth or pop-up at local festivals.
Partner with local organizations to cross-promote your business.
2. Offer End-of-Summer Promotions
Creating limited-time seasonal specials is a great way to entice diners and encourage repeat visits. Customers love exclusive deals, especially as summer winds down.
Promotion Ideas:
Happy hour extensions for late summer evenings.
Meal bundles featuring summer favorites.
Cool-off drink specials, like frozen cocktails, mocktails, or infused lemonades.
3. Reignite Online Ordering & Delivery
With rising temperatures, many customers prefer to dine at home rather than braving the heat. Promoting delivery and takeout can help maintain sales even when foot traffic slows.
How to Maximize Online Sales:
Offer delivery-focused discounts (e.g., free delivery on orders over a certain amount).
Highlight seasonal takeout meal kits for easy at-home dining.
Ensure your RPOWER POS integrates seamlessly with online ordering for smooth transactions.
4. Host Themed Events & Promotions
Late summer is a great time to get creative with events and promotions. Hosting special events can encourage group gatherings and increase weekday traffic.
Event Ideas:
“Summer Send-Off” Party with live music and drink specials.
Patio Nights featuring exclusive outdoor dining menus.
Late-Night Happy Hours to attract younger crowds and night owls.
5. Optimize Your Staff Schedule Using POS Reports
A slow season doesn’t mean overspending on labor costs. Using POS reporting tools, you can adjust staffing based on real-time data, ensuring you stay efficient without over- or under-scheduling.
How RPOWER POS Helps:
Analyze past summer sales data to forecast peak and slow periods.
Adjust scheduling to align with actual demand, reducing unnecessary labor costs.
Monitor real-time sales performance to make proactive staffing decisions.
Keep Sales Strong Through Late Summer
The late summer slump is avoidable with smart planning, creative promotions, and leveraging technology like RPOWER POS to manage labor and optimize sales strategies. By engaging with local events, promoting takeout, and adjusting operations to match demand, restaurants can keep revenue flowing well into the fall.