Hospitality venues are set to see a significant increase in custom due to the World Cup, with around 20 million set to tune into matches from bars, pubs and restaurants around the country.
An opportunity to boost business during the World Cup
Throughout the tournament, those in the UK are expected to spend £117 million on food and £278 million on drink in hospitality venues.
Pubs, bars, restaurants, hotels and coffee shops that appeal to consumers’ demands will have the opportunity to boost business during the World Cup.
We take a look at 4 ways you can boost business during the World Cup:
1. Have a screen ready
For restaurants and bars, the easiest way to tap into demand for the tournament and boost business is to show the matches at your venue. The World Cup is broadcast free-to-air, so providing you have a TV licence, you are able to show games to your patrons.
2. Promote
To guarantee a great atmosphere and plenty of bookings, let everyone know which games you’ll be showing. Here are just some of the ways to promote the games you’re showing:
- Boards outside the pub
- Window displays
- Social media
- Flyers
- Word of mouth
Remember not to overstep any of FIFA’s marketing regulations for the World Cup, which you can see here.
3. Make it easy to book
If you’re looking to guarantee business during World Cup matches, make it hassle-free and simple for people to book tables. By having an automated system taking care of bookings, you can save your team’s time having to answer the phone as often.
4. Consider a limited-edition menu
This one can help you to stand out from the crowd, creating a limited-edition menu that gets people talking. Whether you collaborate with a hot wings business, or introduce a range of burgers for the World Cup, there are countless ways to add a little new interest to your menu.
If you’re feeling creative, why not create themed menus related to the team that England are playing in each game, or having a cocktails menu with drinks named after players.
Time to grow business during the World Cup
As the cost-of-living crisis continues, it is becoming increasingly important to create an experience that makes it worthwhile for consumers to spend their money. If you’re looking to use it as an opportunity to attract regular and new patrons, think about ways to tie the World Cup into your offering.
Remember, if your marketing efforts see a dramatic increase in demand, you can utilise outdoor spaces too.
Holly brings a wealth of experience in both print and digital publishing and is very passionate about the hospitality industry.