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When your city hosts The Big Game, the energy shifts overnight. Streets fill with visitors, locals come out in droves, and every restaurant, bar, and brewery feels the rush.
For quick-service restaurants (QSRs) and other food and beverage businesses, it’s a golden opportunity — and a logistical puzzle. More customers mean more sales, but only if you can stay organized and ready.
From prepping your menu to managing staff and keeping to-go orders running smoothly, these tips will help your business handle the surge and make the most of one of the year’s busiest weekends.
1. Forecast demand and stock smartly
Before the crowds arrive, look back at what’s sold best during other big weekends. If wings, fries, and grab-and-go sandwiches top your list, make sure your kitchen is ready to produce them in bulk.
Check your suppliers, line up backups, and order ingredients early to avoid last-minute shortages. It’s also worth designating one staff member to monitor inventory throughout the weekend so you can make quick adjustments. With data from your Square POS system, you can easily adjust on the fly and minimize waste.
A little prep work ahead of time saves a lot of stress once orders start rolling in.
2. Simplify your menu for speed
Game weekends aren’t the time to test new dishes. Focus on proven, crowd-pleasing menu items that are quick to prep and easy to serve.
If your space allows, create a limited “Game Day” menu with fast favorites and combo deals. Simplifying your options keeps your kitchen moving and helps customers decide faster, which keeps lines short and energy high.
3. Streamline your setup for quick service
Think through how your space will flow when it’s packed. Where will people order? Wait? Pick up food?
Rearranging tables or adding a dedicated pickup station can make a big difference in how quickly you move guests through. Some restaurants set up a separate drink line or a temporary outdoor counter to handle overflow.
If you use a point of sale system that’s mobile-ready, like Square Handheld, have an extra device on hand so staff can take orders and payments wherever lines form.
4. Plan for a surge in to-go and catering orders
Not everyone will head downtown for the big event — plenty of fans will host parties at home. That means you may see a spike in to-go, pickup, or catering orders in the days leading up to game day.
Create special “watch party” packages with crowd-pleasing options like wings, sliders, dips, and shareable platters. Clearly communicate pickup windows and lead times on your website, social media, and phone greetings so customers know when to place their orders.
If you offer online ordering, make sure your system can handle higher volume and that your team knows how to prioritize large advance orders. Label each bag clearly and set up a separate pickup area to keep things organized.
Promote these bundles early in the week to capture customers before they turn to delivery apps or grocery store platters.
5. Use reservations to manage the rush
If your business doesn’t normally take reservations, this might be the weekend to start. A reservation system can help you control crowd flow, plan staffing, and keep the experience relaxed for guests.
Offer timed seatings, table minimums, or prepaid deposits for high-demand slots. You can also set aside a few tables for walk-ins to keep flexibility for locals and last-minute visitors.
For bars or breweries, consider offering pre-booked group tables or “game day packages” that include snacks and drink specials. Promoting these early helps ensure your space fills up in a predictable, manageable way.
Whether you use a simple form, online booking tool, or your POS-integrated reservation system, the goal is the same: to stay in control while keeping service smooth.
6. Train your team for the surge
A strong, well-briefed team is your best defense against chaos. Hold a short meeting before the weekend to review the plan: who’s covering which station, what the menu looks like, and how to handle big orders.
Encourage your staff to stay upbeat even during long hours, and make sure they have what they need — extra towels, pens, backup chargers, water. A little care goes a long way toward keeping morale high when the pace picks up.
7. Create offers that bring people in (and back)
Visitors may be discovering your business for the first time. Give them a reason to remember you.
Try small touches like limited-edition menu items, group bundles, or discounts for people wearing team colors. If your bar or brewery also sells retail like canned drinks, sauces, or T-shirts, display those near checkout for quick add-on sales.
Collect customer emails or loyalty sign-ups to stay connected after the event weekend. The real win is turning first-timers into repeat guests.
8. Market locally and early
Big weekends draw attention from both visitors and locals. Use social media and Google Maps listings to post your hours, menus, and any specials in advance.
Partner with nearby hotels or event venues to share flyers or referral discounts. Simple collaborations can help funnel hungry fans straight to your door.
Authenticity is key. Highlight what makes your spot part of the local flavor. Visitors love discovering places that feel uniquely tied to the city.
9. Keep payments and checkout smooth
Lines can make or break the customer experience. Make sure your payment system is ready for fast, contactless transactions so guests aren’t waiting at the counter.
If your internet connection tends to lag when crowds are high, test your backup Wi-Fi or mobile hotspot ahead of time. Nothing slows service like a tech hiccup at checkout.
10. Take care of your numbers afterward
Once the crowds clear out, take a look at your data. Which items sold out first? What times were busiest? Which specials drew the most interest?
Even simple sales reports can tell you a lot about what worked and what didn’t. Use those insights to plan your next busy weekend, whether it’s a parade, music festival, or another major sporting event.
11. Prioritize safety and flow
Large crowds mean extra considerations for safety and comfort. Keep entryways clear, check that signage is visible, and make sure your team knows what to do if the space gets too full.
If you serve alcohol, remind staff to check IDs carefully and pace service responsibly. A safe, positive experience ensures customers leave happy and your reputation stays strong.
12. Celebrate and share your story
After the final customer leaves and the kitchen quiets down, take a moment to appreciate what you pulled off. Big weekends test every part of a business, but they also create unforgettable moments.
Post a few photos, thank your staff publicly, and highlight what made your spot special during the festivities. It’s a great way to connect with your community and remind people why local places matter.
When The Big Game comes to town, small restaurants, bars, and breweries have a rare chance to show off what makes their city great. With the right preparation, a little creativity, and the right systems in place to keep things moving, you can handle the rush and make it your most successful weekend yet.
FAQs
How can restaurants prepare for The Big Game?
Plan early by adjusting your menu, stocking top sellers, staffing up, and preparing for more to-go and catering orders.
What are the best foods to offer for game-day crowds?
Shareable, quick-prep items like wings, fries, sliders, and dips are crowd favorites and easy to produce efficiently.
How can restaurants handle high traffic during big events?
Use mobile POS systems for flexible ordering, create separate pickup areas, and offer reservations or timed seatings to manage flow.
