How to Turn Holiday Diners Into Year-Round Regulars
The holidays are often the busiest time of year for most restaurants—the dining room is full, the phone won’t stop ringing, and takeout orders never seem to slow down.
But what happens when the decorations come down and the chaos of the holiday season settles?
It’s back to business as usual.
As the rush fades and the focus shifts from managing crowds to filling seats again, many operators don’t recognize the major opportunity that was right in front of them the whole time: turning one-time holiday guests into loyal, year-round regulars.
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.
With as much as 80% of restaurant revenue coming from repeat customers, this is an opportunity that can’t be ignored.
The trick to making it work is planning ahead and using the holidays not just to increase sales, but to start building lasting customer relationships.
In this article, you will learn:
- Why holiday guests are primed for long-term loyalty
- How to use marketing tools to keep your restaurant top of mind
- Simple ways to turn first visits into repeat visits
Why The Holidays Are The Perfect Time To Build Loyalty
The holiday season naturally brings in more foot traffic, larger groups, and new faces.
People are celebrating, gathering with loved ones, and often treating themselves to something a little special. That makes them more open to discovering new restaurants and more likely to remember a great experience.
Many of these guests are visiting your restaurant for the first time, or the first time in a long time. That means you’re not just feeding them dinner; you’re making a first impression.
Instead of seeing holiday traffic as a temporary rush, think of it as a launchpad.
When you collect guest data and continue the conversation after they leave, you set the stage for long-term loyalty, not just one-time sales.
Before we dive into the “how,” here’s a quick video that breaks down how restaurants turn first-time diners into loyal regulars.
Stay Connected With Automated Email Marketing
After the holidays, your guests are still thinking about the great takeout meal they had.
The best way to stay on their radar is through automated email marketing, a low-effort, high-impact way to keep your restaurant top of mind without adding more to your workload.
Start with the right tools and collect customer data
Choose an online ordering system that gathers valuable customer data every time someone places an order. This data makes it easy to follow up with guests after their first visit without any extra effort from your staff.
Send timely follow-ups while your restaurant is still top of mind
Use automated email marketing to send a follow up while guests still remember their experience with your food. A short, thoughtful message establishes that you care, and solidifies the connection you’re making with your customer.
Keep emails short, friendly, and consistent
When it comes to email, less is more. Use a friendly tone, get to the point quickly, and send messages on a predictable schedule.
Consistency builds familiarity, and familiarity builds trust—the kind that keeps customers coming back long after the holidays are over.
Give Guests A Reason To Come Back With Loyalty Rewards
Once diners have ordered online and given you their information, you’ve made your initial contact. The next step is to give them a reason to return, and the easiest way to do that is with a loyalty program.
Rewards make repeat customers feel appreciated, and they incentivize them to choose you over your competitors when they are looking for a place to eat.
Make it easy to join and understand
The best loyalty programs are simple, quick, and rewarding right away. Avoid complicated point systems or multi-step sign-ups. A clear offer like:
- “Sign up and earn discounts toward future orders”
- “Earn 20% off after your fifth order”
—motivates guests to opt in on the spot.
Promote your rewards program everywhere
Don’t assume guests will stumble upon your rewards program on their own. Mention it on your online ordering system, include it on table tents or takeout bag inserts, and train your staff to offer a quick pitch.
Visibility is the only way to get new diners to sign up, especially when holiday foot traffic is at its peak.
Offer perks to encourage repeat visits and get people talking
You don’t need big giveaways to make an impact. Consistent rewards, like a small discount, encourage repeat visits and word-of-mouth sharing.
Over time, those small gestures create loyal regulars who know that staying with your brand is beneficial, and they connect on an emotional level.
Keep The Excitement Alive With Limited-Time Offers
After the holidays, it’s easy for things to slow down, but that doesn’t mean the energy has to. Limited-time offers (LTOs) are a great way to keep diners engaged and give them something new to look forward to.
Roll out new or seasonal menu items
The weeks after the holidays are the perfect time to roll out a new menu item, seasonal dish, or “new year” special. It shows your restaurant is still buzzing with energy, and gives guests a reason to come back sooner than they might have planned.
Create urgency with a clear end date
When guests know an offer won’t last long, they’re more likely to act on it. Promote LTOs with phrases like “only this week” or “until Sunday” to add urgency. Scarcity sells, but you have to give diners a deadline.
Stay Top Of Mind With Timely Push Notifications
Diners are constantly checking their phones, which makes push notifications one of the most effective ways to stay connected.
When used strategically, they can gently remind diners to reorder their favorites, try something new, or take advantage of an offer, all without feeling intrusive.
Make reordering easy as one tap
If your restaurant has a branded app, use it to send simple reminders that bring guests back to their favorites. A short, simple message with a direct link to reorder can dramatically reduce friction and boost repeat orders.
Keep notifications brief, friendly, and relevant
Push notifications work best when they’re brief and well-timed. Send them during natural ordering windows, like lunch or dinner hours, or before local events that might drive traffic.
Be careful not to overload diners with notifications, a short, relevant message is far more effective than frequent, generic blasts.
Keep The Momentum Going Year-Round
The holiday season will be over before you know it, but the relationships you build during it don’t have to be. By staying consistent, visible, and intentional with your marketing, you can turn the chaotic holiday rush into steady, year-round growth.
Grab your free Holiday Readiness Checklist to make sure your restaurant is prepped to make this holiday season your most profitable yet.
Holiday Diner Loyalty Strategies Frequently Asked Questions
How can I collect customer info for post-holiday marketing?
Use your online ordering system to automatically collect customer data like emails or phone numbers. If you rely primarily on dine-in, train your staff to ask naturally at checkout or include a QR code on receipts that links to a sign-up page.
What’s the best time to send a follow-up message after a holiday visit?
Reach out within a few days while your restaurant is still fresh in guests’ minds. A short thank-you message or a “hope to see you again soon” email works best before moving into special offers or rewards.
How often should I reach out without overwhelming customers?
Consistency is more important than frequency, but about two or three emails per month is ideal. The key is to make every message useful, relevant, and easy to skim so diners look forward to hearing from you.
Should I offer discounts or freebies to encourage return visits?
Yes, but keep them small and strategic. A free appetizer, dessert, or loyalty bonus can drive repeat orders without cutting into your profits. The goal is to make guests feel appreciated, not conditioned to wait for a deal.
What tools can help me automate my follow-up marketing?
Look for an online ordering platform with built-in marketing tools like automated email campaigns, loyalty rewards, and push notifications. These features let you stay in touch with guests effortlessly, so you can focus on great food and service while your marketing runs in the background.
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.
