School’s Out, Cash In: Summer 2025 Restaurant Playbook

From shifting schedules to teenage trends, here’s how to turn summer break into a seasonal boost for your restaurant.

As school bells ring for the last time and backpacks are stashed away, a new rhythm takes over—one that changes when families eat, where teens hang out, and how customers engage with restaurants.

For restaurants, this shift isn’t a slowdown—it’s an opportunity.

With kids at home, routines out the window, and travel plans in motion, Summer 2025 presents a golden opportunity to rework your hours, refresh your marketing, and reassess your delivery strategies. Whether you’re running a QSR, a neighborhood pizza joint, or a trendy local hangout, now’s the time to adapt and thrive.

Shift Your Mindset (and Your Hours)

With classes out, so are rigid routines. That means when and where people eat becomes more flexible, and your restaurant should be too.

• Offer early-bird specials for families with young children who want to dine before the dinner rush.

• Offer late-night delivery for teens, teachers, and college students staying out later.

• Boost weekday lunch options with quick combos and delivery incentives for parents who are home with kids.

  
  

Attract Teens with Time on Their Hands

Teens with time on their hands are eager to socialize—and eat.

• Teen-Friendly Happy Hour: Create a kid-friendly “Happy Hour” by offering a half-priced kid's menu or fun menu items that appeal to your littlest guests to boost foot traffic during the slowest time of the day. Take it up a notch by offering adults equally tempting specials they can enjoy with their kids, and you’ve created a whole new day part for your business!

• Offer budget-friendly teen specials, such as slider trios, milkshake deals, or shareable snack baskets.

• Introduce group discounts for summer sports teams, camps, or student clubs to encourage large-party bookings.

  
  

Keep Graduation Season Going

Even though the ceremonies are over, the celebrations continue.

• Launch “Post-Graduation Party” packages for families who missed the spring rush.

• Highlight custom desserts, toast-worthy drinks, and celebratory group menus.

• Encourage social media sharing with hashtags and a designated grad-themed photo backdrop.

Recognize the Heroes

After a long school year, teachers deserve extra appreciation. Remember, they have families too, so send a little love their way by offering special discounts or creating special menu items just for educators.

Knowing that they have a restaurant that appreciates their hard work and provides a place to make their lives easier is a sure way to make the grade this summer — and all year long.

• Host Teacher Appreciation Nights with discounted meals or complimentary drinks.

• Offer group packages for school staff to celebrate the end of the year together.

• Create family-focused delivery meal kits with educators-only discount codes.

  
  

Make Summer Dining Feel Like a Mini Vacation

For customers who aren’t heading out of town, bring the vaca vibes to them.

• Feature seasonal dishes, such as grilled fish tacos, cold noodles, fresh salads, or fruit-forward mocktails.

• Enhance your patio dining space with umbrellas, string lights, music, and tropical décor.

• Delight younger guests with summer-themed drinks (think lemonade flights) and fun desserts.

Maximize Outdoor Dining

Make your patio a summertime showstopper.

• Upgrade seating and add fans, shade umbrellas, plants, and seasonal touches.

• Prepare for unpredictable weather with retractable awnings, misters for heat, and heaters for cool evenings.

• Schedule sufficient staff to accommodate increased outdoor seating demand.

Optimize for Summer Takeout & Delivery

Summer is all about mobility—make your meals easy to take along for the ride.

• Offer portable meals, picnic packs, and chilled drink bundles for pool days, road trips, and sports events.

• Promote “cooler combos” or “beach-ready boxes” on your website, delivery apps, and social media.

• Provide family-sized takeout options that simplify meal planning for parents.

🚐 Partner with Camps, Daycares & Youth Programs

Large summer groups are always looking for hassle-free food solutions.

• Connect with local camps and programs to offer pre-packed lunches or snack trays.

• Develop "Camp Combo Bulk Order" menus that cater to both kids and counselors.

• Offer discounted delivery for field trips, after-practice meals, or post-game celebrations.

Smart Seasonal Staffing

Summer brings increased foot traffic—and the need for a reliable team.

• Hire and train seasonal staff early, especially high school and college students with summer availability.

• Cross-train employees to provide flexibility during peak hours and unexpected call-outs.

• Use past data to predict high-volume days and staff accordingly.

Need help building your summer crew? Check out our post: "Seasonal Staffing: Learn How to Recruit and Retain a Great Summer Team"

Take Away

Summer is a season of movement, spontaneity, and new rhythms — the perfect recipe for restaurants ready to shake up their routine. By embracing flexible hours, teen-friendly deals, and savvy delivery options, you can transform the "school’s-out" lull into a sales-sizzling season.

Whether your customers are locals soaking up the sun or travelers seeking a memorable meal, your ability to adapt and innovate will set you apart. Use this Summer 2025 playbook as your guide to capture the energy of the season, build lasting loyalty, and cash in while school’s out.

By Eileen Strauss