Black Friday Frenzy: Cooking Up Restaurant Sales On and Off the Menu
- eileen strauss
- 7 hours ago
- 4 min read
If it feels like the holiday shopping season starts earlier every year, you’re not imagining things. Retailers have stretched the frenzy across the entire “-ber” stretch, from September through December, and 2025 is no different. With Halloween just days away, it’s officially go-time for restaurants to start planning how they’ll turn shopping chaos into sales success.
Black Friday isn’t just for retailers anymore. As shoppers flood the streets (and their carts), restaurants have a prime opportunity to turn the day’s energy into sales — both on and off the menu. From early-bird breakfast specials to late-night delivery deals, there’s no reason the biggest spending day of the year should pass your kitchen by.
Did You Know? Historic Fun Fact
Everyone knows Black Friday as the day retailers go from the “red” to the “black.” But few realize the term actually started right here in Philadelphia in the early 1960s. Local police coined it to describe the post-Thanksgiving traffic jams and shopper chaos that gridlocked Center City. Department stores tried (and failed) to rename it “Big Friday.” Philly shrugged, the name stuck, and the rest is retail history.
Whether you’re feeding in-store shoppers, refueling between sales, or reaching those who’d rather stay home and order in, Black Friday is your moment to cash in on the rush. The secret? Treat the weekend like its own mini-holiday — and make your restaurant part of the shopping ritual.
That starts with timing.
1. Open Early, Stay Late
Black Friday shoppers start early — and end hungry. Offer breakfast deals, extended hours, or post-shopping happy hours.
Early Bird Breakfast: Offer coffee and pastry specials from 6–9 a.m.
Midday Recharge Menu: A special lunch combo for tired shoppers on the go.
Late-Night Bites: Extend hours Friday and Saturday night to catch returning crowds.
2. Bundle Up the Savings
Retailers thrive on “bundles,” and so can restaurants. Create combo deals or family packs that feel like a value-add without cutting deeply into margins.
Try:
A Black Friday Feast for Two (entrée, side, and dessert combo).
BOGO appetizers for dine-in guests showing a same-day shopping receipt.
A Weekend Family Pack designed for takeout and delivery.
Make it limited, make it fun, and emphasize that it’s “for this weekend only.”
3. Gift Cards: Small Cards, Big Impact
Black Friday marks the start of gift-giving season, and restaurant gift cards are an easy win.
Encourage sales with:
BOGO bonuses (buy a $50 card, get a $10 bonus).
Free drink or dessert with any in-person gift card purchase.
Digital delivery options so online shoppers can send last-minute gifts instantly.
Pro tip: Set up a QR code at the register and on your website for instant e-gift purchases.
4. Create a Black Friday Menu Special
Shoppers love exclusivity — and they’ll splurge for it. Design a limited-time menu item that’s only available Black Friday weekend.
For example:
“Doorbuster Burger” with a special sauce that’s available for 72 hours only.
“Blackout Brownie” dessert inspired by the theme.
Or simply rebrand an existing favorite with a festive name for the weekend.
5. Promote Like a Pro
Timing is everything. Start teasing your Black Friday specials two weeks in advance — and use every platform at your disposal.
Social Media: Post sneak peeks, countdowns, and behind-the-scenes prep.
Email: Send exclusive early access deals to your subscriber list.
Website: Add a homepage banner or pop-up promoting your Black Friday offers.
Delivery Apps: Update your profile photos and menu descriptions to highlight the event.
Your customers are already scrolling for deals. Make sure yours is the one they see.
Make the Most of “Near Me” Searches
When the crowds hit the streets, local visibility matters most. “Restaurants near me now” searches surge on Black Friday.
Make sure your Google Business Profile is up-to-date with hours, menus, and photos.
Post a “Black Friday Specials” update directly on your Google listing.
Optimize delivery listings (Uber Eats, DoorDash, etc.) with your special offers so you show up in those spontaneous search moments.
Go Old School With Direct Mail
Even in today’s digital world, direct mail remains one of the most underused marketing tools out there. A well-timed postcard, flyer, or menu drop can do what an email sometimes can’t — cut through the noise.
Use it to:
Promote your Black Friday or weekend specials to your local delivery zone.
Send exclusive coupons to loyalty members or nearby neighborhoods.
Remind customers that your restaurant is open late, taking pre-orders, or offering gift cards.
Keep the Weekend Momentum Rolling
Don’t stop when Friday ends. Many retailers now extend sales through the entire weekend, and restaurants should too.
Run promotions that last through Small Business Saturday and Cyber Monday, encouraging repeat orders and social shares. Offer loyalty points or small discounts for anyone who returns or orders again that weekend.
That way, your customers don’t just think of your restaurant once; they think of it all season long.
Take Away - Get Started Now
Black Friday kicks off the holiday spending season, and your restaurant should be part of it. Whether you’re running in-store specials, delivery promotions, or gift card incentives, planning is key. Start teasing your offers now, and by the time the crowds hit the stores, you’ll be ready to feed them.
This year, let the shopping frenzy fuel your Friday profits, on and off the menu.
Next in the Series:
Coming next, 💻 Cyber Sauced: How Restaurants Can Ride the Shop-at-Home Wave, focuses on online-exclusive offers, delivery, and digital engagement for Cyber Weekend.
By Eileen Strauss
