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

Layne's Chicken Fingers

image of laynes chicken finger restaurant with 4 hands holding cups in the air to celebrate 

 Layne’s Chicken Fingers Crosses Mid-Year Mark With 11 New Restaurants Opened, Including the First Time the Brand has Seen Two Openings on the Same Day on July 14

laynes-chicken-franchise-growth-2025

HomeTeam Inspection Service

image of an employee from home team checking an outlet with an ipad

HomeTeam Inspection Service Franchise Owners Diversify Income With Multi-Service Model

hometeam-inspection-service-revenue-streams

Right at Home

image of jennifer selden right at home franchisee for a webinar with nick powills

Right at Home Franchise Owner Jennifer Selden To Share Franchise Journey, Sparked by Personal Care Experiences

jennifer-selden-right-at-home-franchise-journey-webinar

Paris Baguette Canada

image of a paris baguette bakery cafe latte with delicious food, croissants, and pastries

What Paris Baguette Franchisees Have To Say About Their Experiences

paris-baguette-franchise-canada-eric-chang

image of right at home franchisee gregory brewer for a webinar with nick powills

Gregory Brewer To Share 20-Year Franchise Journey With Right at Home in Upcoming Webinar

gregory-brewer-right-at-home-franchise-winston-salem-webinar

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 Is Reshaping Franchising: $100 Billion Valuations and Hyper-Localized Advertising

ai-is-reshaping-franchising-100-billion-valuations-and-hyper-localized-advertising

Mega Franchisee Sizzling Platter Acquired by Bain Capital

mega-franchisee-sizzling-platter-acquired-by-bain-capital

Wendy's CEO Kirk Tanner Steps Down - Breaking News - 1851 Franchise

Wendy’s CEO Kirk Tanner Steps Down Amid Challenges, Leaving Franchisees Facing Uncertainty

wendys-ceo-transition-kirk-tanner-franchisee-uncertainty

"Come in, We're OPEN" sign against abstract background

Small Business Optimism Dips, Raising Concerns for Franchise Owners

small-business-optimism-dips-raising-concerns-for-franchise-owners

Photo of Roof Scientist truck and trailer

Roof Scientist Expands Into Northern Indianapolis as Entrepreneur Dale Speckman Launches New Business in Fishers

roof-scientist-expands-into-northern-indianapolis

Hooters Leans Into Franchising With Closure of 30 Company-Owned Stores - Agg - 1851 Franchise

Hooters Leans Into Franchising With Closure of 30 Company-Owned Stores

hooters-franchise-model-company-owned-closures

Technomic Releases Annual Ranking of the Top 15 Fast-Food Chains in the U.S.

technomic-releases-annual-ranking-of-the-top-15-fast-food-chains-in-the-us

Blending Tech, Hospitality and Health Care: How Three Women From Different Worlds Came Together to Build a Paris Baguette Franchise

paris-baguette-franchise-flower-mound-texas

The Ultimate Guide to Selling Franchises: How To Create a Strong Incentive

how-to-build-strong-incentives-to-attract-prospective-franchisees

Hely and Hiral Patel Bring Their Longtime Dream to Life With The Brass Tap

brass-tap-franchise-pasadena-maryland-hely-hiral-patel

Sola Salons Franchisee Grows Salon Freedom Into a Multi-State Powerhouse 

sola-salons-franchisee-grows-salon-freedom-into-a-multi-state-powerhouse

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

MORE STORIES LIKE THIS