While the holiday season is big for bars and pubs, the months after the holidays are also important. Every February, The Big Game can draw in huge crowds, meaning that operators have to be ready. Fortunately, in the leadup to the game, there are many ways for bar and pub managers to maximize their profits on game day.
The Big Game Effect on Pubs
Everyone knows that the Big Game is a big day for events, given that the game is the most-watched TV event for the whole year. In fact, it’s such a big deal that almost 18 million Americans prefer to watch at a bar or restaurant.
Even better, the average spending on game day is high, with a breakdown of about $85 per person. On non-game days, the average order price is around $30 each. So, there's massive potential for businesses to make money if they plan accordingly.
For example, promoting the event in the weeks before the game can let guests plan their options. Also, crafting a specialized menu may be an added draw that can get more people into the bar or pub. Finally, operators can add fun and liveliness to the festivities with activities and entertainment for slow periods.
Crafting the Perfect Game Day Menu
A big appeal of the Big Game is that it's the perfect excuse for people to indulge. So, operators want to take advantage of using delicious menu items that provide a feeling of tailgating at the stadium.
When it comes to the main course, the top three food items consumed on game day are wings (1.45 billion), pizza (12.5 million), and burgers (14 billion pounds). However, while traditional offerings are always fan favorites, operators who get creative with their menus will see rewards in the form of additional profits.
For example, appetizers like loaded nachos or fries are ideal for sharing with friends. Sliders and fried dishes like mozzarella sticks can also be appealing because they're easy to eat.
Another way to add some flair to each dish is to make them representative of each team's home state or city. In fact, a chef can create two separate menus (one for each team) and let guests make their picks accordingly. Even consider having a running tally in a prominent place throughout the day to see which team has the most fans. This way, customers feel like they're part of the game and the bar is creating a fun atmosphere, along with increasing sales.
TurboChef as the Perfect Game Day Partner
Having a crave-able menu doesn't mean much if the kitchen can't handle the extra workload of a crowded bar or pub. Fortunately, TurboChef empowers chefs and managers to do more within their existing space.
For example, ventless rapid-cook ovens can be placed anywhere in the kitchen because there's no need to use a vent hood to disperse smoke and grease. Easy to use and able to cook faster than a traditional oven, TurboChef's multipurpose ovens can prepare multiple dishes simultaneously, letting workers adapt quickly to meet customer demands.
Best of all, TurboChef has an oven product selector tool so operators can find precisely the oven for their specific needs. So no matter the size of your bar, your staff will be able to handle those food orders as swiftly as they mix a drink.
Get hands-on experience with Turbo-Chef's ventless rapid-cook ovens in our test kitchen:
