You’ve built your subscriber list, designed a sleek newsletter template, and have a menu worth shouting about, and now it’s time to put it all together – but how? For many restaurants and their marketing teams, the hardest part of email marketing isn’t sending the newsletter; it’s figuring out what exactly to say to give readers a reason to stop scrolling and hit “book now”. That’s where food holiday themes come in – they’re the perfect way to keep things relevant, seasonal, and engaging for your subscribers.
Below, we’ve put together a mix of practical inspiration and easy wins that can shape your next newsletter as well as roll out across your wider marketing channels, like social media and in-store.
Why food holidays as a theme works
Food holidays aren’t just fun hashtags – they’re ready-made hooks for grabbing readers’ attention. From International Burger Day to Chardonnay Day, there’s something for every menu, and cuisine type! When tied to your existing offering, these specific days can be powerful prompts to remind diners why your restaurant is worth a visit, as well as a chance to highlight specific dishes or drinks without having to run huge discounts or special offers.
It’s time for a plan
The most successful newsletters don’t happen on the fly – they’re planned in advance. Start by pulling out a calendar and mapping out upcoming food holidays, seasonal moments, and occasions that align with items on your menu. From there, build a simple content plan in advance that helps you stay one step ahead.
This plan doesn’t have to be complicated. It’s as simple as choosing a theme for each month and building your campaign around it. For instance, June could spotlight World Gin Day, where you could offer signature cocktails from local gin distilleries in the area, while September ties into Heritage Day, where there could be a focus on flame-grilled dishes straight from the fire. Planning ahead allows you to keep newsletters consistent without scrambling for last-minute ideas.
Use your menu as the anchor
A theme doesn’t always need to revolve around a promotion or special. Sometimes, simply spotlighting a dish or drink that ties into the occasion is enough to spark readers’ interest. A subject line like “Taco ’bout love at first bite this International Taco Day” with a peek at a popular filling can draw guests in – and tempt them to explore the rest of your menu.
Themes also help tell a bigger story about your restaurant. They showcase your brand’s personality, create intrigue, and tease guests with what more is on offer. When in doubt, look at what’s already on your menu and how it connects to what’s happening that month. It’s a simple, practical way to keep your campaigns aligned with what you do best.
Need inspiration?
Need inspiration for your next campaign? We’ve created a downloadable list of food holidays to help you map out your restaurant newsletters and promotions for the year ahead. Use it as a planning tool, mix and match with your menu, and turn simple emails into full campaigns across all your channels. Or, if you’d like hands-on help creating a newsletter campaign, reach out to us, we’re ready and waiting to assist!
Also: Don’t forget to subscribe to our newsletter for all the tasty news!
A Guide To Food Holidays
Here’s your annual guide to food-related holidays – perfect for your next newsletter campaign.
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