8 Tips to Increase Your Restaurant Sales During Hari Raya

Hari Raya is a season of celebrations, gatherings, and feasting. Families and friends come together to enjoy special meals, leading to a significant surge in dining out and food delivery orders. With the appropriate marketing techniques, this allows restaurants to boost financial returns while increasing customer visits this festive season.

1. Offer a Special Hari Raya Menu

Creating an exclusive Hari Raya menu can set your restaurant apart. Introducing traditional favourites like Rendang, Lemang, and Satay, enhanced with “AJINOMOTO” seasonings for rich, authentic flavors. You may:

Offer family meal sets for easy ordering and group dining, example Jom Raya, Makan Bersama set by Absolute Thai.
Provide festive combos with a mix of popular and fusion dishes such as Satay Lok-lok with Seared Tumeric Ketupat, Nasi Lemak Risotto, Nasi Briyani Rending Mushroom Lamb, and more. These flavourful creations are available at Roots Bistro.

Highlight signature dishes with unique twists to stand out, for example Gyoza with Rendang Sauce.

2. Attract Customers with Festive Promotions

To attract more customers during Hari Raya, food businesses can implement strategic promotions that drive engagement and increase foot traffic. Consider the following promotional strategies:

“Buy 1, Get 1 Free” deals on popular desserts and drinks are a great way to celebrate the festive season. For example, Matcha Eight is offering a complimentary scoop of ice cream with every purchase of a double scoop. Plus, customers who spend a minimum of RM50 will receive exclusive Raya packets!
Social media giveaways are a great way to boost engagement and enhance brand awareness. For example, Dunkin’ Malaysia is hosting a giveaway, offering a dozen donuts to customers who share their Ceria Meriah moments on their Instagram Story and tag @dunkin_my.

3. Decorate Your Restaurant with Raya-Themed Elements

Creating a festive ambiance enhances the overall dining experience and makes your restaurant more inviting during Hari Raya. You might consider these:

Use Hari Raya decorations like ketupat, fairy lights, and traditional motifs.
Set up an Instagram-worthy corner to encourage customers to take and share photos.
Play soft Raya music to create a warm, celebratory ambiance.

4. Use Online Marketing & Seasonal Keywords

Utilize digital marketing strategies to maximize customer engagement and drive traffic to your restaurant during Hari Raya. Some approaches you may take into consideration:

Promote your restaurant on Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok.
Incorporate seasonal keywords like “Hari Raya Feast,” “Iftar Buffet,” and “Best Raya Deals” in ads and social media posts to attract festive shoppers. For example, Polar Puffs & Cakes enhance their Raya promo posts by strategically using these seasonal keywords to boost engagement and visibility.
Creating highly shareable and viral content, ensuring it resonates with the audience, encourages engagement, and gets widely shared.
Running targeted ads can help reach more potential customers searching for festive dining options.

5. Ensure Sufficient Kitchen Supplies and Ingredients

Proper preparation is essential for managing the surge in demand during Hari Raya, ensuring smooth kitchen operations and uninterrupted service. Follow these key strategies:

Stock up on essential ingredients like “AJINOMOTO” seasonings, cooking stocks, and sauces.
Plan ingredient orders in advance to avoid last-minute shortages.
Have a backup supplier to ensure smooth operations.

6. Host Special Events to Attract Customers

Enhance customer engagement by hosting interactive events that differentiate your restaurant and create a memorable dining experience. Consider the following initiatives:

Showcase culinary expertise by organizing live cooking sessions featuring “AJINOMOTO” products, allowing customers to experience the flavors firsthand.
Offer hands-on workshops where customers can learn to prepare traditional festive dishes, fostering brand connection and culinary appreciation. For example, Kona Studio is offering a special Hari Raya Cookies Workshop, where participants can bake festive treats and take home delicious goodies for their celebrations.
Collaborate with local influencers to promote your restaurant to a wider audience.

7. Offer Convenient Takeaway & Delivery Options

Many customers prefer to enjoy festive meals at home, so providing easy takeaway and delivery options can boost sales.

Offer Hari Raya meal packs with well-curated set menus.
Partner with food delivery platforms like GrabFood and FoodPanda to reach more customers.
Use “AJINOMOTO” ready-made seasonings to prepare meals quickly and efficiently.

8. Train Staff for Excellent Service During Peak Hours

A well-trained team is essential for delivering a seamless dining experience during the busy Hari Raya season. Here are key considerations to ensure exceptional service:

Train staff to handle large orders efficiently.
Educate them on festive menu items and promotions to assist customers better.
Maintain a friendly and festive atmosphere to enhance customer satisfaction.

Conclusion

Restaurants selling special menus or providing holiday discounts during Hari Raya certainly have an ideal chance to increase sales. By implementing these strategies and using “AJINOMOTO” high-quality seasonings and stocks, you can enhance flavors and attract more customers during this festive season.