Thanksgiving Restaurant Specials: Creative Ideas To Attract Diners This Holiday Season
For over a century, friends and families have gathered to give thanks for all they have, and at the heart of every celebration is great food.
Traditionally, guests bring a home-cooked dish to the table, but as life gets busier and more chaotic, more people than ever are looking for stress-free ways to celebrate Thanksgiving without the hassle of cooking or cleanup.
With 91% of Americans celebrating Thanksgiving, this is a great opportunity for restaurants to help diners create new, lasting memories with delicious, easy holiday meals while your business creates new revenue, attracts first-time guests, and deepens relationships with existing customers.
In this article, you will learn:
Use Takeout to Drive Customer Loyalty
Takeout isn’t just a convenience—it’s a powerful tool for building lasting relationships with your diners. But keeping diners engaged and coming back can be a challenge. In this guide, you’ll learn how to optimize your takeout strategy to encourage repeat business, increase direct orders, and strengthen customer loyalty.
- Creative Thanksgiving specials that make your menu stand out
- Promotional tactics that boost pre-order volume and visibility
- Simple ways to connect your brand to the spirit of the holiday season
Why Thanksgiving is a Huge Opportunity for Restaurants
Every November, diners start searching for ways to make their Thanksgiving Day easier and more enjoyable. Instead of spending hours cooking, grocery shopping, and cleaning up, more people are turning to local restaurants for convenient, delicious Thanksgiving meals that still feel special.
That demand creates an ideal moment for operators to serve both loyal regulars and first-time guests who might otherwise stay home.
Outside the usual surge in reservations, the holiday season brings a variety of ways to boost sales. Think family-style bundles for takeout, buffet spreads for dine-in, and catering packages for offices or private events.
Some diners prefer cozy Thanksgiving brunch gatherings with festive drinks, while others want a full roasted turkey and stuffing dinner to enjoy with family. Offering flexible, creative options lets you capture all those different occasions.
Thanksgiving also gives your restaurant a platform to build stronger connections.
By showcasing your seasonal menu, testing new dishes, or adding limited-time desserts like pumpkin pie and cookies, you can attract new customers, drive customer loyalty, and remind locals why your restaurant is the perfect addition to their holiday traditions.
Thanksgiving Restaurant Specials That Diners Love
Thanksgiving specials are best when combined with comfort, convenience, and creativity. Diners want to enjoy the classics they know and love, like roasted turkey, mashed potatoes, stuffing, and cranberry sauce, without the stress of cooking.
Below is the right mix of dine-in and takeout options to serve every type of guest and make this holiday season your most profitable yet.
Turnkey prix fixe dinners that feel like home
Curated Thanksgiving dinner menus give guests a reason to celebrate without lifting a finger. Center your menu on timeless dishes like,
- Ham
- Turkey
- Turkey gravy
- Green bean casserole
- Baked mac n cheese
—then finish strong with pumpkin pie and whipped cream.
Prix fixe menus simplify your kitchen workflow and create a premium, stress-free way for diners to celebrate Thanksgiving in style.
Family-style bundles that make hosting easy
A family-style feast lets groups enjoy restaurant-quality Thanksgiving meals from the comfort of home. Include shareable portions of roasted turkey, ham, gravy, and salads, plus seasonal vegetables or desserts for a full meal experience.
Encourage diners to pre-order early to manage demand and avoid last-minute Thanksgiving Day chaos.
Friendsgiving packages for the week before (or after)
Not everyone celebrates the big day with family—some do it with friends. Offer Friendsgiving packages with sharable dishes, festive drinks, and optional live music nights. They’re fun, flexible, and a great way to attract new diners while introducing them to your regular menu ahead of the winter rush.
Extend availability through the end of November so friend groups have time to plan their own celebrations after the holiday.
Sides-to-go that save the day
Many guests love cooking but they don’t want to handle every dish. Offer signature sides like stuffing, mashed potatoes, turkey gravy, or green bean casseroles to round out their home-cooked turkey.
Package them as “reheat and serve” bundles to boost takeout orders throughout Thanksgiving week.
Inclusive options that make Thanksgiving easier for diners with dietary restrictions
Stand out with allergy-friendly vegan or vegetarian options, recipes like roasted vegetables with dairy-free cream sauce or plant-based stuffing. These thoughtful touches show care, expand your audience, and help build lasting customer loyalty beyond the holiday.
Sweet treats to top off the perfect meal
You don’t need to offer a full-blown Thanksgiving dinner to profit from the celebrations. A few standout desserts can make your restaurant a go-to stop for anyone looking to sweeten their holiday table. Highlight pumpkin pie, pecan tarts, or cheesecake to draw in last-minute shoppers.
Dessert-only promos are easy to prep, simple to market, and are the perfect way to stay on diners’ minds as they prepare for the holiday season.
Thanksgiving Promotions That Drive Orders
Once your Thanksgiving dinner specials are ready, it’s time to make sure people know about them. Smart Thanksgiving marketing ideas can help your restaurant stand out, increase early pre-order purchases, and keep your team prepared for the big day.
From email campaigns to community partnerships, here are proven promotion ideas to fill your order queue fast.
Pre-Order incentives that create urgency
Encourage diners to lock in their Thanksgiving meals early by offering limited-time bonuses—like a free side of mashed potatoes, extra gravy, or a discount for pre order purchases made two weeks before Thanksgiving.
Incentives help manage kitchen workflow and inventory while rewarding guests who plan ahead.
Bring your Thanksgiving specials to life on social media
Bring your holiday offerings to life with behind-the-scenes content. Share reels of your team preparing roasted turkey, plating pumpkin pie, or stirring that perfect turkey gravy. Highlight how your restaurant helps guests celebrate Thanksgiving, without the cooking chaos.
Don’t forget to include strong CTAs that encourage diners to order online and countdown posts to drive action.
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Give back with local partnerships
Thanksgiving is about giving back—and showing gratitude can strengthen your local presence. Partner with food banks, schools, or shelters to donate meals or a portion of your Thanksgiving week proceeds. You’ll make an impact while creating genuine goodwill with customers who value community-driven brands.
Gift card promotions that turn into year-round loyalty
Gift cards are a simple way to turn holiday traffic into repeat business. Offer a $10 bonus card for every $100 sold during Thanksgiving week, or include them in your family style bundle promotions. They make easy gifts for friends and family, while helping your restaurant stay top of mind well past Turkey Day.
Make This Thanksgiving Your Restaurant’s Most Profitable Yet
Make the most of this Thanksgiving by turning your restaurant into the go-to spot for stress-free, memorable holiday dining. With creative Thanksgiving specials, smart marketing ideas, and early pre orders, you’ll keep your kitchen busy, your guests happy, and your profits growing well beyond Turkey Day.
Contact ChowNow to learn how Direct Online Ordering and a Rewards Program can help your restaurant boost Thanksgiving pre-orders and build customer loyalty.
Thanksgiving Restaurant Specials Frequently Asked Questions
What are some popular Thanksgiving restaurant specials?
Popular Thanksgiving specials often include prix fixe menus for dine-in guests, family-style takeout bundles, and Friendsgiving packages designed for small groups. Many restaurants also see strong sales from dessert-only offers like pies, cookies, and specialty baked goods, as well as ready-to-heat sides for at-home celebrations.
How can restaurants create Thanksgiving promotions?
Start by planning your menu early, then build a multi-channel campaign around it. That means sending out email campaigns to your regulars, showing off behind-the-scenes prep on social media, and offering limited-time perks like early bird discounts or free sides with pre-orders. Consistency is key—so repeat your message often in the weeks leading up to Thanksgiving.
Is it worth offering both dine-in and takeout for Thanksgiving?
Yes, offering both dine-in and takeout gives you more flexibility to serve different customer needs. Some guests want the atmosphere of a restaurant on Thanksgiving Day, while others are looking for convenient, heat-and-eat meals to enjoy at home. Just make sure you don’t overstretch your staff—design your menu and prep process so both options are manageable.
How should I market Thanksgiving takeout or catering options?
Start by promoting early. For takeout or catering, make the ordering process as smooth as possible and promote it clearly. Use eye-catching visuals to showcase the food, post order deadlines early and often, and use email, SMS, and social media to get the word out. Bonus points if you create a simple landing page where guests can view the menu, order online, and get FAQs answered all in one place.
When should restaurants start marketing their Thanksgiving specials?
Start teasing your Thanksgiving specials by the last week of October and go live with full promotion by the first week of November. The earlier you start, the more time your guests have to plan—and the more orders you’ll secure before things get hectic. It also gives you more runway to sell out limited offerings or shift strategies if needed.
Use Takeout to Drive Customer Loyalty
Takeout isn’t just a convenience—it’s a powerful tool for building lasting relationships with your diners. But keeping diners engaged and coming back can be a challenge. In this guide, you’ll learn how to optimize your takeout strategy to encourage repeat business, increase direct orders, and strengthen customer loyalty.
