Super Bowl Sunday is one of the biggest food ordering days of the year. With over 48 million Americans ordering takeout, more than 1 billion chicken wings consumed, and pizza chains seeing record sales, the opportunity for restaurants is massive. However, without the right preparation, it can also be one of the most stressful and operationally challenging days.
For restaurant owners and managers, the key to success is preparation—from optimizing operations and staffing to ensuring seamless delivery and leveraging marketing strategies to boost sales.
In this guide, we’ll explore the top restaurant strategies to maximize profits on Super Bowl Sunday while keeping operations smooth and customers happy.
Key Takeaways
• Super Bowl Sunday is one of the biggest revenue days for restaurants, and preparation is crucial.
• Online orders will surge by 70%, so optimizing first-party delivery and pre-orders is key.
• Social media, Google My Business updates, and targeted ads will help you capture last-minute orders.
• Simplify operations with a limited menu, optimized pickup zones, and extra staffing.
1. Get Your Operations Ready for the Super Bowl Rush
Why It Matters:
Super Bowl Sunday is often the highest revenue-generating day of the year for many restaurants. A well-prepared restaurant can see up to 100% sales growth.
Key Strategies:
✅ Plan Staffing Early: Ensure enough team members are scheduled for both in-house and delivery operations. Consider hiring temp staff for order fulfillment.
✅ Streamline Takeout & Delivery Pickup: Designate separate pickup areas for third-party couriers and customer pickups to avoid congestion.
✅ Optimize Your Menu: Identify high-margin, fast-prep items and consider a simplified game-day menu to keep things running efficiently.
✅ Stock Up on Essentials: Avoid running out of key ingredients and packaging materials by reviewing last year’s sales data.
2. Maximize Delivery & Online Orders
Why It Matters:
With digital orders growing by 70% on Super Bowl Sunday, online ordering and delivery will be your biggest revenue drivers.
Key Strategies:
🚀 Enable Pre-Orders – Up to 30% of orders are placed before game day. Encourage customers to order early with pre-order incentives.
🚀 First-Party Delivery vs. Third-Party Apps – Restaurants that own their delivery service keep more profits and avoid third-party commission fees.
🚀 Optimize Your Delivery Time – Keep driver wait times under 4 minutes to avoid bottlenecks and delays.
🚀 Use Promotions to Drive Bigger Orders – BOGO deals and bundle discounts can increase average order value.
3. Boost Your Restaurant’s Super Bowl Marketing
Why It Matters:
Super Bowl Sunday isn’t just about the game—it’s about the experience. Customers want the best food for their gatherings, and digital marketing is how you capture their attention.
Key Strategies:
📢 Google My Business Optimization – Make sure your hours, delivery links, and menu are updated. This will help customers find and order from you easily.
📢 Social Media Promotions – Share exclusive Super Bowl meal deals and use countdown posts to create urgency.
📢 Leverage Paid Ads – Target local customers looking for “Super Bowl takeout near me” with Facebook and Instagram ads.
📢 Influencer & Partner Collaborations – Work with local influencers or sports bars to cross-promote meal bundles.
📢 Email & SMS Campaigns – Send out reminders and pre-order deals to your customer list in the week leading up to game day.
4. Avoid Common Super Bowl Day Pitfalls
Even well-prepared restaurants can run into challenges during the Super Bowl rush. Avoid these common mistakes:
❌ Not having enough staff – High volume means you’ll need extra hands.
❌ Unclear pickup and delivery processes – Avoid confusion by having a clear pickup station for couriers and customers.
❌ Running out of key menu items – Predict demand based on past years and stock up early.
❌ Ignoring social media engagement – Many customers will check Instagram and Google Reviews before ordering.
How Sauce Helps Restaurants Win on Super Bowl Sunday
At Sauce, we help restaurants maximize their profits and online presence by offering:
✔️ Commission-Free First-Party Delivery – Keep 100% of your revenue.
✔️ SEO-Optimized Order Pages – Rank higher on Google and attract more customers.
✔️ Google My Business Optimization – Get found by local customers searching for takeout.
✔️ Marketing & Operational Support – From pre-orders to customer support, we handle it all.
🔹 Book a Free Demo and get ready for record-breaking Super Bowl sales!
FAQs About Super Bowl Restaurant Strategy
1. When should I start preparing for the Super Bowl?
Ideally, 30 days in advance. Pre-order marketing and operational planning should start at least two weeks ahead.
2. What types of food sell best on Super Bowl Sunday?
Top-selling items include pizza, wings, burgers, Tex-Mex, BBQ, and party platters.
3. Should I prioritize first-party or third-party delivery?
If possible, first-party delivery helps you retain more profits and control the customer experience.
4. What are some quick promotions I can run?
• BOGO deals on wings or pizzas.
• Discounted party bundles for groups.
• Free delivery on pre-orders placed before game day.
