Hop into Easter sales

Easter is an opportunity not to be missed so here’s our advice to help you make the most of those long weekend sales

Easter provides a lucrative opportunity for operators, with families jumping at the chance to celebrate the occasion by dining out. There are plenty of ways you can make it egg-stra special (sorry!) for your guests while maximising the opportunities. A wonderful time of the year, you can take full advantage of lighter evenings and slightly warmer days (if still a bit nippy!) by letting your venue ease into the spirit with some special decorations and events.

Top tip

MAKE UP BOXES OF 6 SEASONAL CUPCAKES DECORATED WITH CHICKS AND BUNNIES FOR CUSTOMERS TO TAKE AWAY TO FURTHER BOOST SALES

GIN-CREDIBLE

Embrace those lighter, warmer days by serving a gin cocktail perfect for spring. Elderflower tonic pairs beautifully with a fruity, pink gin. Cheers!

Top tip

ADD CLASSIC SPRING TOUCHES TO MAKE YOUR VENUE LOOK READY FOR THE EASTER WEEKEND. PLACE DAFFODILS ON EACH TABLE OR COULD YOU PROVIDE A SMALL RAMEKIN OF MINI CHOCOLATE EGGS OR EASTER TREATS WHEN YOU BRING THE BILL? IT'S THE LITTLE TOUCHES THAT CAN DELIVER A GREAT IMPRESSION

Get ahead of the game by planning how to increase spend across the long weekend, for example by creating a set menu or perhaps a meal deal enabling your customers to add a dessert, hot drink or a glass of fizz for a slightly reduced fixed cost. Remember to include children too. Can you create a separate set menu with smaller portions for smaller mouths, or really stand out against competition by allowing children to dine for free all weekend.

IN SEASON

Make your menus pack a spring punch by including a whole host of seasonal ingredients. Lamb, asparagus, beetroot, mint, radishes, spring peas and not forgetting leafy greens such as lettuce, spinach and romaine. Delicious.

LET’S GET SOCIAL

During the lead up to Easter weekend, make sure your customers know that they can dine with you. Display signage around your venue, and don’t forget to post on social media too. If you want to reach a wider audience and have some marketing budget spare, it’s a good idea to invest in Meta advertising to help spread the word.

WARMER DAYS

Now that the weather’s getting a little warmer, it’s time to make the most of your outdoor space. Whether you host a barbecue, hire a live musician or lean into early festival vibes by getting a face painter for the little ones, your guests are bound to love the chance to get outside once again. Don’t forget the classic Easter activity, an Easter egg hunt!

Hide mini chocolate eggs around your outdoor spaces with some games along the way to make it extra entertaining. Make sure you publicise this beforehand to get as many participants involved as possible!

Top tip

CONSIDER PLACING EASTER-THEMED COLOURING PAGES AND PENCILS ON TABLES AS AN EASY WAY TO OCCUPY YOUNGER CUSTOMERS

EASTER CUPCAKES

» Sift 40g cocoa powder into a bowl, pour in 4 tbsp boiling water and mix into a thick paste. Add 3 large free-range eggs, 175g softened unsalted butter, 165g caster sugar, 115g self-raising flour and 1 tsp baking powder and mix with an electric hand whisk or a wooden spoon.

» Divide the mixture evenly between 12 cupcake cases and bake in a preheated oven at 200°C (400°F, Gas mark 6) for around 12-15 minutes until well risen and springy to the touch. Cool in the cases on a wire rack.

» For an easy but impressive decoration to finish off your cakes, make a simple birds nest for the top. You can make this using Shredded Wheat or edible Easter grass, combined with chocolate, and then fill your nests with some delicious mini chocolate eggs or fruit sweets.