Lunch Promotions That Work: 7 Ideas To Fill Seats During Slow Hours
- Operations qckbot
- Mar 1
- 8 min read
Key Takeaways:
Lunch Promotions Drive More Traffic: Offering discounts and deals during slow lunch hours encourages more people to dine in or order takeout. Simple promotions can make a big difference in customer flow.
Social Media Can Boost Engagement: Exclusive online deals and user-generated content encourage customers to interact with a restaurant’s brand. Leveraging digital platforms can turn followers into loyal diners.
Profitable Promotions Focus On Value: The best lunch promotions attract customers without hurting profits using high-margin menu items and limited-time deals. Structuring offers carefully ensures a balance between sales and sustainability.
Every lull is an opportunity.
Some restaurants stay busy long after the lunch rush, while others see empty tables. A well-timed promotion can turn those slower hours into a steady stream of customers, boosting sales and brand loyalty.
At Sauce, we make it easy for restaurants to drive more orders without relying on expensive third-party platforms. With direct ordering integrations, commission-free delivery, and marketing tools that maximize visibility, we help restaurants take control of their business and keep customers coming back.
In this piece, we’ll explore seven proven lunch promotion ideas that can fill seats, increase revenue, and make your restaurant a go-to lunch spot.
Happy Hour For Lunch – Discounted Midday Specials
Happy hour is great for cocktails, but can also work for lunch. Offering discounted meals, appetizers, or drinks during slow midday hours gives customers a reason to visit when they might have skipped dining out.
Restaurants can set a specific time frame, such as 11 AM to 2 PM, and promote limited-time specials to create urgency. Discounted lunch combos, half-price appetizers, or special drink deals can make dining out feel like a treat without breaking the bank.
We help restaurants promote midday deals through direct online ordering and social media integrations. With Google and Instagram ordering built-in, businesses can reach customers where they’re already browsing and drive more traffic during off-peak hours.
Buy-One-Get-One (BOGO) Deals To Attract Groups
Nothing grabs attention like the promise of a free meal. A buy-one-get-one (BOGO) lunch special encourages customers to bring a friend, coworker, or family member, doubling foot traffic and increasing the chance of repeat visits.
BOGO deals work especially well for sandwiches, salads, and bowls—meals that are easy to prepare and package. Restaurants can run these promotions on specific days or during slow hours to keep business steady without hurting margins.
Promoting these offers through social media and direct online ordering helps spread the word quickly. A simple “tag a friend” campaign or an email blast can drive interest and bring in groups that might not have considered dining out otherwise.
Loyalty Rewards For Frequent Diners
Regular customers are the backbone of any restaurant, and rewarding them keeps them coming back. A simple loyalty program, such as earning a free lunch after a set number of visits, gives diners an extra reason to choose your restaurant over competitors. These programs encourage repeat business and create a sense of appreciation that strengthens customer relationships.
Digital loyalty programs make tracking rewards easy and eliminate the hassle of physical punch cards. Customers can sign up through a restaurant’s website or app and automatically earn points with each order. Offering bonus points during slow hours or on specific menu items can help increase traffic when business is slow.
Promoting a loyalty program through social media, email, and in-store signage ensures customers know about the benefits. A small incentive, like a complimentary drink upon sign-up, can encourage more people to join. The more effortless and rewarding the process, the more likely customers are to stay engaged and return.
Lunch Combos For A Quick And Affordable Meal
People want a fast, filling, and fairly priced meal, especially during their lunch break. A well-designed lunch combo makes dining decisions easier while offering more value for the money. Bundling an entrée, side, and drink together may help your restaurant increase sales while giving customers a meal they can count on.
Best Items To Include In A Lunch Combo: The best lunch combos are quick-to-prepare, popular menu items that balance taste and portion size well. Sandwiches, wraps, grain bowls, and salads paired with a side like chips or soup create a satisfying meal without slowing down service. Including a drink in the deal adds even more value while ensuring customers get a complete experience.
How To Price And Promote Lunch Combos: Setting the right price is essential—combos should feel like a deal compared to ordering items separately but still be profitable for the restaurant. Offering a small discount or adding a free side can make the offer more attractive without cutting into margins too much. Promoting these deals on menus, in-store signage, and online ordering platforms helps spread the word and attract more lunchtime customers.
Keeping Service Fast And Efficient: Since lunch hours are often rushed, combos should be designed for quick preparation and easy packaging. Prepping common ingredients ahead of time, training staff to assemble combos quickly, and streamlining the checkout process can help keep wait times short. Customers are more likely to return when they know they can get a great meal without long delays.
Limited-Time Offers To Create Urgency
People are more likely to take action when they know a deal won’t last forever. Limited-time offers (LTOs) create a sense of urgency that encourages customers to visit before they miss out. Whether it’s a special menu item, a discount on lunch combos, or a seasonal promotion, these deals can drive traffic during slower hours.
Restaurants can use LTOs to test new menu items or highlight dishes that deserve more attention. Featuring an exclusive lunch special for a few weeks keeps the menu fresh and gives customers something to look forward to. Promotions like “$5 off lunch this week only” or “special taco combo available until Friday” can spark immediate interest.
Spreading the word about these offers through social media, email newsletters, and in-store signage ensures customers know about them in time. A countdown timer on a website or a limited number of daily orders can add to the excitement. When customers feel like they’re getting access to something special, they’re more likely to make a visit part of their lunch plans.
Office & Group Discounts To Encourage Bulk Orders
Lunchtime is a great opportunity for restaurants to attract office workers and teams ordering together. A discount on group orders can make a restaurant the go-to choice for team lunches, meetings, or office celebrations. Offering special deals for bulk meals increases sales and encourages repeat business from workplaces looking for reliable lunch options.
Why Group Discounts Work
Offices and businesses often place large orders; a small discount can help them decide where to buy lunch. A promotion like “10% off orders of five or more meals” makes it easier for groups to choose your restaurant over competitors. The higher order value offsets the discount, making it a win-win for customers and the business.
Pre-Set Group Meal Packages
Making the ordering process simple is essential when catering to workplaces. Offering pre-set group meals, such as a mix of sandwiches, wraps, or salads, allows offices to choose an option that works for everyone quickly. These bundles save customers and restaurant staff time while ensuring a smooth ordering experience.
How To Promote Group Orders
Marketing group discounts through email newsletters, social media, and direct outreach to local businesses can drive more large orders. Encouraging companies to sign up for exclusive office discounts or setting up a referral program can help create long-term partnerships. When businesses know they can count on a restaurant for convenient and affordable group meals, they’re more likely to return.
Social Media Exclusive Deals To Drive Engagement
Social media isn’t just a place to share pictures—it’s a powerful tool for attracting customers. Offering special lunch deals only available through Instagram, Facebook, or Twitter encourages more people to follow and engage with a restaurant’s content.
Why Social Media-Only Deals Work: Exclusive offers make customers feel part of something special. A simple promotion like “Show this post for 10% off today’s lunch” gives followers a reason to stay connected and visit in person. These deals also encourage customers to regularly check a restaurant’s page, increasing long-term engagement.
Flash Deals To Boost Urgency: Posting time-sensitive discounts, such as “First 20 people to comment get a free side with lunch,” creates excitement. These flash deals drive immediate sales while increasing social media activity through shares and comments. The more people interact with a post, the more visibility it gets, attracting new customers who might not have discovered the restaurant otherwise.
Encouraging Customer Participation: User-generated content can be a game-changer for restaurants looking to build loyalty. Offering a small incentive for customers to share their meal photos or tag friends helps spread brand awareness. Featuring customer posts on a restaurant’s page makes diners feel appreciated and inspires others to join in.
Final Thoughts
A well-planned lunch promotion does more than just fill seats—it creates habits, builds loyalty, and keeps customers returning. Maybe you’ll use special discounts, loyalty rewards, or social media exclusives – in each case, the goal is to make dining out an easy and worthwhile choice.
Restaurants that embrace creative and strategic midday offers can turn slow hours into a steady stream of business. With the right promotions, lunchtime becomes an opportunity to strengthen customer relationships and grow long-term success.
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Frequently Asked Questions About Lunch Promotion Ideas
What are the benefits of running lunch promotions for restaurants?
Lunch promotions help attract more customers during slower hours and increase overall revenue. They also encourage repeat visits and can boost brand awareness.
How often should restaurants change their lunch promotions?
It depends on the restaurant's customer base, but rotating promotions every few weeks keeps things fresh. Seasonal specials or monthly deals can maintain interest and prevent customers from getting bored.
Can lunch promotions work for takeout and delivery orders?
Yes, offering discounts or combo deals for online orders can increase takeout sales. Promoting these offers on digital platforms helps reach customers who prefer to order ahead.
What is the best way to advertise lunch promotions?
Social media, email newsletters, and in-store signage effectively spread the word. Partnering with local businesses or running digital ads can help reach new customers.
Do lunch promotions work for all types of restaurants?
Most restaurants can benefit from lunch promotions, but the type of offer should align with their menu and target audience. Fast-casual spots may focus on quick deals, while sit-down restaurants might highlight special lunch courses.
How can restaurants avoid losing profit with lunch promotions?
Focusing on high-margin items and setting limits on discounts prevents promotions from cutting too deeply into profits. Running deals during slower hours ensures they bring in extra revenue rather than replacing full-priced sales.
What time frame works best for lunch promotions?
Most lunch promotions run between 11 AM and 2 PM, but extending them slightly can attract late lunchers or early afternoon diners. Some restaurants also experiment with weekday-only specials to drive traffic when business is slower.
How can restaurants track the success of their lunch promotions?
Monitoring sales data, customer feedback, and online engagement can provide insights into what works. Digital ordering systems also make tracking redemption rates for specific promotions easy.
Are there any legal restrictions on lunch promotions?
Restaurants should check local regulations to ensure compliance with discount policies, alcohol promotions, and advertising laws. Being transparent about terms and conditions prevents misunderstandings with customers.
Can loyalty programs be combined with lunch promotions?
Yes, restaurants can reward customers with loyalty points for purchasing lunch specials. This approach encourages repeat visits while maintaining long-term customer engagement.
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