1851

Traditionally, Thanksgiving and Christmas tend to be among the <a href="https://bizfluent.com/info-8388818-busiest-periods-restaurant-business.html?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=franchisors-can-tap-into-catering-market-share-over-holidays-study-suggests-2714292" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">slowest days</a> of the year for restaurants, and after nine months of COVID-19, most restaurants can’t afford any more slow days. Luckily, there may be a few strategies that foodservice franchisors can use to tap into holiday sales.<a href="https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/tripleseat-survey-reveals-changing-needs-this-holiday-season-301174260.html?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=franchisors-can-tap-into-catering-market-share-over-holidays-study-suggests-2714292" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">A new survey from Tripleseat</a> finds that 49% of consumers said they will not change their holiday plans this year due to COVID-19. For a majority of those consumers (86.4%), that means an at-home gathering with six to 10 people, and over 30% plan to use a catering service for their gathering, according to the survey.To tap into this demand, Tripleseat’s survey suggests restaurants offer to-go holiday meals or a-la-carte options as well as value-focused catering promotions. Creating delivery promotions specifically aimed toward small groups may be one way restaurants can optimize sales around the slower holiday season.&nbsp;Several casual dining brands have already started rolling out these types of catering and delivery promotions, including Dickey's Barbecue Pit, which is offering new "<a href="https://www.dickeys.com/press/in-the-news/new-heat-and-eat-holiday-catering-options?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=franchisors-can-tap-into-catering-market-share-over-holidays-study-suggests-2714292" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">heat and eat holiday catering options</a>.” The steakhouse chain McCormick &amp; Schmick's is selling <a href="https://www.mccormickandschmicks.com/event/thanksgiving/?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=franchisors-can-tap-into-catering-market-share-over-holidays-study-suggests-2714292" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">a full Thanksgiving meal</a> that serves four to six people for pickup. Many restaurant brands are even looking for a way to provide a full Thanksgiving meal solution, a move that is likely a response to the pandemic crisis environment.Some franchisors have also already introduced Christmas-themed promotions for guests to serve at home as well. Red Lobster, for example, is selling its <a href="https://www.wdrb.com/news/business/red-lobster-selling-famous-cheddar-bay-biscuits-in-holiday-gift-boxes/article_3e7fa04e-23b1-11eb-a526-173eb86e4339.html?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=franchisors-can-tap-into-catering-market-share-over-holidays-study-suggests-2714292" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Cheddar Bay Biscuits in holiday gift boxes</a>, while KFC has unveiled <a href="https://www.delish.com/food-news/a34689051/kfc-holiday-buckets-2020/?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=franchisors-can-tap-into-catering-market-share-over-holidays-study-suggests-2714292" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">limited-edition holiday buckets</a> to cater to the family meal crowd.&nbsp;Catering promotions aren’t the only way that restaurant franchisors can tap into holiday sales this year. Consumers are also especially interested in purchasing restaurant gift cards. According to Tripleseat, over 53% plan to purchase a restaurant gift card this holiday season, and a <a href="https://blackhawknetwork.com/blackhawk-network-brandedpaytm-holiday-report-forecasts-successful-season-gift-card-sales-ecommerce?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=franchisors-can-tap-into-catering-market-share-over-holidays-study-suggests-2714292" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Blackhawk Network report projects that consumers will spend 29% more this year on restaurant e-commerce gift cards than they did in 2019</a>. Franchisors would be wise to set up an online gift card system to make these transactions easier.Tripleseat also found that 24.6% of consumers plan to order a meal kit/recipe box and 18% are interested in buying a restaurant's branded merchandise, posing additional sales opportunities.&nbsp;Looking to the future, Tripleseat recommends restaurants offer incentives to book post-holiday parties in spring 2021 as well. That timeline might be ambitious, but with plenty of evidence showing <a href="https://www.wsj.com/articles/pandemic-brings-new-restrictions-on-restaurants-and-retailers-as-demand-is-rising-11604050201?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=franchisors-can-tap-into-catering-market-share-over-holidays-study-suggests-2714292" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">such pent-up demand</a> for dining out, consumers will hopefully be willing to pay now for the promise of a post-pandemic restaurant experience later."The 2020 holiday season will be a bit different than years past,” Jonathan Morse, CEO of Tripleseat said in the press release. “Food brings many families together and is an important part of a lot of holiday traditions. We are excited to see how many people still plan to find ways to celebrate and we are hopeful that restaurants will be able to support that in safe and effective ways."

Franchisors Can Tap Into Catering Market Share Over Holidays, Study Suggests

1851 Franchise

Most consumers plan to gather with six to 10 people, and more than 30% plan to use a catering service for their gathering, according to a new survey by Tripleseat.

franchisors-can-tap-into-catering-market-share-over-holidays-study-suggests

Image Studios

IMAGE Studios Celebrates Record Growth in 2025 With 35 Openings and 50 Units Awarded

image-studios-franchise-growth-2025

Dillas Quesadillas

Design with photo of Michael Mabry and Dillas Primo Quesadillas logo

Franchise Times: New Franchise Exec Says Dillas Is Bringing ‘Excitement’ Back to QSR Category

michael-mabry-franchise-growth

Lawn Squad

Greener, Faster, Smarter: Why Entrepreneurs Are Choosing Lawn Squad 

Greener, Faster, Smarter: Why Entrepreneurs Are Choosing Lawn Squad as a Treatment-Only Lawn Care Franchise

lawn-squad-franchise-opportunity

Jollibee

How Jollibee’s Veteran Leadership Team Is Rewriting the Playbook for U.S. Expansion

franchise-leadership-growth

Woodhouse Spas

Photo of guest checking in at Woodhouse Spas reception desk

franchise-questions-answered

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

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

Buying a fitness franchise, people exercising

Boutique vs. Big Box Gym Franchises: Which Offers Best ROI in the $7 Billion Fitness Market?

buy-fitness-franchise-boutique-big-box-comparison

Pieology Pizza Enters Chapter 11 Following Costly Bid To Save Struggling Stores

pieology-pizza-files-chapter-11-bankruptcy

CNBC: McDonald’s Will Assess if Franchisees Are Offering Value for Customers Under New Standards

mcdonalds-franchise-standards-value-metric

How AI Is Transforming Restaurant Operations and Franchises

ai-impact-restaurants-franchises-human-centric-technology

Round Table Pizza Franchisees Take FAT Brands to Court Over Marketing Fund Mismanagement

round-table-pizza-franchisees-take-fat-brands-to-court-over-marketing-fund-mismanagement

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

Paris Baguette Welcomes Zac Sulma as New Chief Operating Officer

new-coo-zac-sulma

Callaway Sells Majority Stake in Topgolf to Private Equity for $770 Million

callaway-sells-majority-stake-in-topgolf-to-private-equity-for-770-million

A Practical Playbook: Who To Call First When Franchising Your Business

franchising-your-business-who-to-call-first

Photo of group of dogs standing together in day care facility

Top Pet Boarding and Day Care Franchise Opportunities for 2025

top-pet-boarding-daycare-franchises

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

right-at-home-franchise-las-cruces-jerome-hanway

1851 Franchisee Spotlight graphic with photo of Eli Cohen, Layne's Chicken Fingers logo

C5 Restaurants Grows its Texas Footprint with 40 Layne’s Chicken Fingers Locations Planned Statewide

eli-cohen-laynes-chicken-fingers-texas

Franchisors Can Tap Into Catering Market Share Over Holidays, Study Suggests

MORE STORIES LIKE THIS