Happy Monday Everyone, here’s some facts and information to help drive more foot traffic this Valentine’s Day, which we should just celebrate the whole week in all restaurants. Cheers!
BTW - Don’t forget to read about Rally Catering below, what a mind-blowing program for all catering companies.
IT'S A SATURDAY VALENTINE'S This means the entire weekend (Feb 13-15) is in play. Plan for Friday night crowds, Saturday peak, and Sunday brunch spillover.
GEN Z CHANGED THE RULES 70% of Gen Z celebrates all relationships now, not just romantic ones. Galentine's reservations are up 34% year-over-year. Solo dining jumped 35%. If you're still only targeting couples, you're missing half the market.
FRIDAY THE 13TH IS BIGGER THAN YOU THINK Galentine's Day pulls serious numbers. Friend groups spend more, stay longer, and book large tables. Market to them specifically.
PRIME TIME SHIFTED 7pm is the hottest slot (up 16% YoY), but 5pm and 6pm both grew 16% and 11% respectively. Early seating’s aren't just for senior citizens anymore.
PEOPLE BOOK LATE Nearly a quarter of Valentine's reservations come in within 48 hours of the date. Keep your waitlist active and visible through Saturday morning.
THEY'RE SPENDING MORE Average per-person spend is up 21% on Valentine's Day versus regular nights. Push the wine pairings, the special desserts, the add-ons. They came to splurge.
EXPERIENCES OVER EVERYTHING Diners are searching for memorable moments, not just good food. Live music, chef interactions, theatrical presentation, shareable photo moments—that's what drives bookings.
TWO-TOPS PRINT MONEY Small tables have outsized revenue potential this week. If you can reconfigure your floor to add more two-seat setups, do it.
FOOD COMPATIBILITY IS A THING NOW 55% of diners say shared food preferences matter in relationships. Highlight your shareable plates and customizable tasting options.
DARK AND MOODY IS THE LOOK Pinterest searches show people want cinematic, Gothic-romance vibes this year. Think deep reds, plum tones, dramatic lighting, embellished tablespaces. Wuthering Heights drops February 13 and the aesthetic is everywhere.
Galentine's Day, celebrated on February 13th, is a, "best day of the year," holiday dedicated to celebrating female friendships, popularly initiated by Parks and Recreation character Leslie Knope. Observed on Feb 13th, it focuses on brunch, gift exchanges, and, "ladies celebrating ladies".
WHAT'S ACTUALLY TRENDING ON PINTEREST RIGHT NOW
Moody romance: oxblood, plum, dramatic candlelight
Embellished details: beadwork, ornate presentation, vintage touches
"Bridgerton meets dark romance" aesthetic
Experience-focused celebrations over traditional gifts
Galentine's and self-love themes
Nostalgic, handcrafted presentation
Bottom line: if your restaurant isn't photo-ready, you're losing bookings before people even walk in.
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