1851

You know it’s the holiday season when Starbucks breaks out their red cups again. While Starbucks itself is not a franchise, many top franchise brands across the country are able to pursue similar strategies in order to draw a seasonal spike in revenue.On Monday, <a href="https://www.nrn.com/beverage-trends/beverage-tracker-holiday-specials-starbucks-dunkin-and-dutch-bros?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=seasonal-menu-items-have-returned-and-seasonal-franchise-strategy-has-evolved-2717410" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Nation’s Restaurant News</a> reported that many national brands are trying something new, or at the very least, taking advantage of some holiday festiveness. Writer <a href="https://www.nrn.com/author/Bret-Thorn?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=seasonal-menu-items-have-returned-and-seasonal-franchise-strategy-has-evolved-2717410" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Bret Thorn</a> put together this in-depth listing of some seasonal menu items from top national franchises and restaurant chains, showing how the holiday spirit has doubled as a business opportunity for many brands.The holiday season is often a time where many people will indulge a little more than they otherwise would. This is where franchises can see dollar signs, and where a unique strategy can turn into long-term customer retention.&nbsp;Large and small coffee chains have implemented seasonal flavors, while brands like Applebee’s and Dave &amp; Buster’s have resorted to special holiday-themed cocktails to help drive seasonal traffic. If a limited-time strategy like this shows promise among customers, it can lead brands to consider full-time implementation, or at least an ongoing seasonal campaign. If it doesn’t, it can be written off as a one-time holiday trial that disappears without a trace.A seasonal menu is just enough of a twist to lure customers back in with something new, while preserving the confidence a customer might have already developed for the brand.Franchises can implement seasonal recipes on a large scale, which requires carefully-executed procedures and planning well in advance of December. A mom-and-pop store can throw in some peppermint flavor to virtually anything and call it seasonal, while a nationwide brand can have a tougher time creating uniformity under a similar strategy.Brands have already been forced to plan ahead in the wake of COVID-19, and the holiday season is just another reminder of what a few months of advanced insight can provide. Seasonal offerings take a lot more than planning; however, given the current state of the global supply chain, it can be <a href="https://www.qsrmagazine.com/outside-insights/5-tips-navigating-supply-chain-disruptions?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=seasonal-menu-items-have-returned-and-seasonal-franchise-strategy-has-evolved-2717410" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">difficult enough</a> to stock up on essential ingredients, much less seasonal ones.

Seasonal Menu Items Have Returned — and Seasonal Franchise Strategy Has Evolved

1851 Franchise

Nationwide restaurant brands can develop new customer retention with some seasonal menu items, but implementing them takes far more than a simple suggestion.

seasonal-menu-items-have-returned-and-seasonal-franchise-strategy-has-evolved

CapitalSpring

Graphic with orange chart and hand pointing at graph

CapitalSpring Closes on Initial $505 Million of $1 Billion Target just Two Months After the Launch of its Seventh Flagship Investment Fund 

capitalspring-closes-505m-fund-vii

Children's Lighthouse

How Families Are Building Brighter Futures Together With Children’s Lighthouse

how-families-are-building-brighter-futures-together-with-childrens-lighthouse

One Hour Heating and Air Conditioning

One Hour Heating & Air Conditioning Franchise - Paul and Will Harris - 1851 Franchise

Keeping the Crystal Coast Comfortable: How a Father-Son Duo Brought One Hour HVAC to Their Community

one-hour-heating-ac-franchise-paul-will-harris-crystal-coast

Caring Transitions

Caring Transitions: A Recession-Resistant Franchise Opportunity for Entrepreneurs

caring-transitions-a-recession-resistant-franchise-opportunity-for-entrepreneurs

Minuteman Press International

L-R: Bob Titus (CEO), Eric Shank (Catonsville, MD), Bob Heimbuch (RVP), and Nick Titus (President).

Minuteman Press Franchise Owner Eric Shank Recognized at World Expo

minuteman-press-franchise-owner-eric-shank-earns-standing-ovation-at-world-expo-for-growth-in-catonsville-md

Buying a Franchise Masterclass

 Franchise Opportunities

Get Support Buying a Franchise

How to Buy a Franchise White Paper

How to Buy a Franchise

How to Sell Franchises

How to Grow a Franchise

Find a Franchise Supplier

1851 Franchise Opportunities

Franchisor News

Franchisor Power Rankings

FranCamp Mastermind Summit

Franchise Development Website Builder

Franchise Resources

What ALEC-Laffer's Report Means for Franchising

Website Awards

Power Rankings

About 1851

Advertise on 1851

Contact 1851 Editorial

Terms of Use

1851 Login

GROWTH CLUB LOGIN

facebook

instagram

twitter

linkedin

youtube

AI-related job cuts, October U.S. job cuts, American job cut record

AI-Fueled Layoffs Reshape the U.S. Job Market — And Highlight Franchising’s Resilience

ai-job-cuts-franchising-path-forward

Crunch Fitness Franchise - Sixth Street Minority Stake - CR Fitness - 1851 Franchise

Sixth Street Takes Minority Stake in CR Fitness, the Largest Crunch Fitness Franchisee

cr-fitness-crunch-fitness-sixth-street-investment

houses, Why Top Franchises of 2025 Outperform Independent Businesses

Why the Top Franchises of 2025 Outperform Independent Businesses

how-franchises-outperform-independent-business-2025-tech-data

Photo of Happinest Brands teams standing together in front of branded vehicles

Happinest Brands Continues Strong 2025 Trajectory With Major Q3 Growth and Strategic Wins

happinest-brands-q3-franchise-growth

Franchise Owners Step Up To Support Communities During Government Shutdown - 1851 Franchise

Franchise Owners Step Up To Support Communities During Government Shutdown

franchise-community-support-shutdown

Senior Entrepreneurship - Franchising - 1851 Franchise

Senior Entrepreneurship Is Rising — And Franchising Is a Key Outlet

senior-entrepreneurship-franchising-silver-startups

image of jerome hanway from right at home Las Cruces, New Mexico 1851 franchise franchisee spotlight

Jerome Hanway Is Building His Right at Home Franchise Around His Mission To Serve

Seasonal Menu Items Have Returned — and Seasonal Franchise Strategy Has Evolved

MORE STORIES LIKE THIS