It’s time to plan for football season. Consider all of the football leagues—pro, college and high school. Each one has a large fan base. So gather schedules and coordinate a plan of attack!
1: If your pizzeria has televisions, announce viewing parties for the games, with special deals on wings and pizza during the event.
2: Take note of what the big chains do and offer a big bundle deal for football parties (i.e., three pizzas with wings, breadsticks and soda).
3: Ask a local football player (or the whole team) to appear in your marketing in exchange for free pizza.
4: Run a touchdown promo wherein every touchdown earns customers a certain dollar amount off their next purchase.
5: Promote your pizzeria’s availability for catering/tailgating orders.
6: Offer free football schedule souvenir cups with the purchase of a large beverage. Coordinate with local schools to supply these at games as their official sponsor.
7: Hold a contest for free football tickets. Everyone who spends above a certain dollar amount is entered into the contest.
8: Create your own fantasy football league with customers and award the winner with a pizza party.
Be Cool to Your School
Summer is almost over, so it’s time to reconnect with local principals, coaches and teachers for promotions that benefit everyone involved.
Sponsor a Sports Team.
In addition to football, look at the local baseball, tennis, soccer and swim teams. Everyone loves pizza and needs equipment. Find out how you can help while also getting the word out about your pizzeria.
Help With Classroom Fundraisers.
Remind teachers (who often purchase their own class supplies) that you can help with fundraisers both at the restaurant and inside the classroom (through gift card sales, etc.).
Free Pizza Coupons for Good Students.
Principals love being able to give good students a prize for achieving honor roll or perfect attendance. Make it easy for them by supplying a stack of coupons for free kid-size pizzas.
Make Pizza in the Classroom.
If the students can’t come to the pizzeria, bring the pizzeria to them. Small children love to stretch the dough and top the pies, so offer to bring dough (and finished pizzas to eat) to local classrooms for a fun learning activity. Leave behind take-home coupons.
Gearing Up for Halloween
Halloween is one of the biggest ordering days of the year. Will you be ready? Here are some quick tips to help you prepare:
- Overschedule staff for the night; there will always be some who don’t show up.
- Promote and encourage customers to order pizzas early for later delivery (i.e., order at 4 p.m. for an 8 p.m. delivery). This will save you time and help you coordinate orders.
- Have your online ordering system up and running so you don’t miss any orders.
- Be prepared for a larger number of pickup orders as customers try to avoid long delivery waits.
- Relax and have fun—that’s what Halloween is all about!
