Every restaurant has slow days—those weekdays where foot traffic lags, and you’re left with more empty tables than full ones. But the savviest restaurants have figured out how to turn those slower times into opportunities. Instead of seeing it as a loss, they use creative strategies to drive traffic and increase revenue when things would otherwise be quiet.
Here are five proven ways to bring in customers on your slowest days.
A great way to drive traffic during slower times is by offering something unique that customers can’t get on the weekends. Weekday-only events—like themed dinners, wine tastings, or trivia nights—give customers a reason to visit when they otherwise might not. Pairing these events with an exclusive menu or drink specials can make them even more appealing.
Pro Tip: Collaborate with local artists or musicians for live performances that create a buzz. Your restaurant becomes the go-to place for entertainment and good food, even on a Tuesday night.
You don’t need to rely on discounts to drive business on slow days. Instead, create limited-time offers that are exclusive to weekdays and promote them heavily on social media. This could be a special menu item, an exclusive happy hour, or even a secret menu for loyal followers. The key is to make your offer feel like a can’t-miss opportunity.
Pro Tip: Use Instagram Stories to release flash deals for specific slow days. Encourage followers to act quickly by making the offer valid for only a few hours. This sense of urgency can drive last-minute traffic.
Restaurants that are successful at filling tables on slow days often tap into their local communities by partnering with nearby businesses or hosting local events. Whether it's offering special deals for local office workers or collaborating with gyms, schools, or non-profits, these partnerships can bring in customers who wouldn’t otherwise visit on a slower day.
Pro Tip: Host charity nights where a portion of the proceeds goes to a local cause. This not only drives traffic but also fosters goodwill within your community.
Loyalty programs are powerful tools for driving repeat business, but you can take it a step further by offering extra points or special rewards for visits on your slow days. Whether it's double points for Monday lunch visits or a free appetizer for checking in during a weekday dinner, incentivizing visits during slower periods can be a game-changer.
Pro Tip: Send an SMS or email blast to your loyalty program members highlighting these weekday-only perks. This gives your most engaged customers a reason to stop by on a typically quiet day.
A weekday prix fixe menu featuring an affordable but delicious multi-course meal can be the perfect draw for customers looking for an elevated experience without the weekend rush. High-revenue restaurants know how to create value without sacrificing their brand, and a well-curated prix fixe menu can attract new guests and keep regulars coming back.
Pro Tip: Keep the prix fixe menu fresh by rotating dishes weekly or seasonally. This keeps things exciting for repeat customers and allows your chef to showcase their creativity.
Slow days don’t have to mean slow business. With the right mix of creativity, targeted promotions, and community engagement, you can fill tables even when things would normally be quiet. It’s all about understanding what motivates your customers and giving them a reason to visit on those off days.
At restauWant, we specialize in helping restaurants develop targeted marketing strategies that fill tables, drive revenue, and grow customer loyalty—whether it’s on the busiest Friday night or the slowest Monday afternoon. Let us help you turn your slow days into some of your most profitable.
