Restaurant activity is the part of your offer that gives people a reason to come back: themed nights, classes, live music. This post covers the formats that work, what each one needs, and where an online ordering plugin fits in.
What restaurant activity covers
It goes beyond the food. Regulars come back for the atmosphere and for something to do, and they recommend places where they had a good evening. Activity is the part you can plan, cost and repeat.
Run themed nights
A theme turns an ordinary dinner into an occasion. It can be as simple as a Taco Tuesday or as involved as a 1920s speakeasy night. Pick themes that fit your kitchen: a fixed menu is easier to cost and to prep than full a la carte service with decorations.
Host cooking classes
Classes bring people in on quiet afternoons and put your chefs in front of them. You share skills you already have, guests learn something, and they leave knowing your kitchen better. Keep groups small and the menu simple enough to finish in the time you allow.
Book live music
Live music changes the room and gives local musicians a place to play. Check what your licence and your neighbours allow, and match the volume to the service: background sets during dinner, louder sets later.
Take orders and bookings online
The other half is technology. The FoodMaster food ordering plugin (formerly WooFood) is a restaurant online ordering plugin that runs on your own website, so customers can order from home instead of through a marketplace. It also handles automatic order printing and multi-store support, which helps on a themed night when the kitchen needs tickets without anyone retyping them.
Put the two together
Announce the event on your site, take bookings or pre-orders on the same page, and print the tickets in the kitchen. A themed night with a fixed menu is the easiest to sell online, because the choices are limited and the price is clear.