October
is where fall flavors, costume energy, and a hunger for experiences collide.
For restaurants it’s not just a date on the calendar — it’s a seasonal
opportunity to convert casual guests into ritual customers. Below is a
practical, food-fact–filled guide to getting ready, five creative promotions
each for kids, adults and families, a plain-English historical look at
Halloween sales trends, and strategic guidance from the Grocerant Guru® on why brand
messaging and consistency matter for long-term consumer memory.
Five outside-the-box promotions for kids (+ sample social
posts)
1. “Trick-or-Treat
Table” — Kids collect mini-treats from five in-restaurant
“stations,” finishers get a coupon for a future visit.
Social post: “Tiny ghouls + big
smiles! This Saturday our dining room turns into a trick-or-treat adventure. 5
stops. 5 treats. 1 free kids’ coupon at the end. Costumes encouraged!
#FamilyFriendlyHalloween”
2. Costume
Kids’ Prix Fixe — Free kids’ entrée with any adult
entrée when the child is in costume.
Social post: “Calling all
superheroes + witches! Kids in costume eat FREE with an adult entrée this
weekend. One more reason to show off those costumes early!”
3. Spooky
Storytime & Mini-Menu — Short live story + themed brunch
plates.
Social post: “This Sunday:
storytime at brunch! Bring your little monsters for a spooky tale + special
‘Monster Pancake Stack.’ Reservations recommended.”
4. Pumpkin
Pizza Kit to Go — DIY at home with pumpkin-shaped
cutters.
Social post: “Our Pumpkin Pizza
Kits are back! Everything you need for spooky DIY pies at home. Limited daily
availability — pre-order yours!”
5. “Little
Lab” Molecular Mocktails — Glittery mocktails in mini-beakers
with a treat.
Social post: ✨ “Glow, fizz, sparkle! Introducing our
new kids-only ‘Little Lab Mocktails.’ Served in mini beakers with edible
glitter. Available all October.”
Five smart, memorable promotions for adults (+ sample
social posts)
1. “Boos
& Brews” Flight Night — Beer/cider flights with small
bites.
Social post: “This Friday: Boos
& Brews Flight Night. 4 fall ciders + bites = $15. Grab a crew and toast to
spooky season.”
2. After-Dark
Prix Fixe: Theatrical Dinner — Immersive 3–4 course meal with a
murder-mystery twist.
Social post: “Dine if you dare…
Our Murder Mystery Prix Fixe runs Oct. 27–31. 4 courses. One killer twist.
Tickets limited.”
3. Cocktail
Lab Workshops — Small-group ticketed classes.
Social post: “Learn the tricks +
taste the treats. Join our Halloween Cocktail Workshop — make 3 seasonal
drinks, take home recipe cards + your own shaker!”
4. Haunted
Happy Hour — Seasonal cocktails + small plates.
Social post: “Haunted Happy Hour
starts at 4 pm: blood-orange margaritas + pumpkin spice bites. Only until
Halloween. #LimitedTime”
5. Late-Night
Comfort Menu — Post-trick-or-treat indulgence.
Social post: “When the kids
crash, the comfort comes out. Try our midnight mac + cheese grilled cheese
after 9 pm. One week only.”
Five promotions aimed at families (+ sample social posts)
1. Family
Feast Bundle — Shareable entrees, sides, dessert
platter.
Social post: “Feed your whole
crew: Family Feast Bundles for 4–6, packed with seasonal favorites + a dessert
tray. Perfect before or after trick-or-treating.”
2. Take-Home
“Movie Night” Pack — Food, popcorn, candy + glow-sticks.
Social post: “Dinner + movie
night solved! Pick up our Halloween Movie Night Pack — pizza, popcorn, candy +
glow-sticks. No stress, just fun.”
3. Neighborhood
Trick-or-Treat Partner Night — Stamp card for dessert.
Social post: “We’re teaming with
[local shop/street name]! Collect stamps while trick-or-treating, then redeem
for a FREE dessert here. Saturday only!”
4. Family
Photo Booth + Dinner — Photos + props with meals.
Social post: “Say boo! Our
Halloween Photo Booth is free with dinner all weekend. Take a family snap +
we’ll print it as a keepsake.”
5. Seasonal
Cooking Class for Parent + Child — Hands-on kits + recipes.
Social post: “Cook together,
laugh together. Parent + child Halloween cooking class — Oct. 20 + 27. Tickets
limited. Includes take-home kit.”
Are you ready for some fresh ideations?
Do your food marketing ideas look more like yesterday than tomorrow? Interested
in learning how our Grocerant Guru® can edify your retail food brand while creating a platform
for consumer convenient meal participation, differentiation
and individualization? Email us
at: Steve@FoodserviceSolutions.us or visit: us on our social media sites by clicking one of the
following links: Facebook, LinkedIn, or Twitter