5 ways to elevate takeout and delivery for special occasions
SUMMARY: Capture new revenue by turning at‑home dining into memorable, premium occasions.
Own the at‑home occasion
Delivery and takeout continue to drive business for restaurants, often generating higher check averages than dine‑in. Consumers love the convenience — the ability to skip the cooking, skip the cleanup and skip getting dressed up.
That convenience plays right into modern dining habits. Eighty‑six percent of Americans watch TV or movies while eating their delivery meals. And ordering in isn’t just for solo nights on the couch: 39% of consumers turn to delivery when hosting at home, and 22% have even passed off delivered meals as homemade to impress guests or social media followers.1
The desire for takeout and delivery extends to holidays such as Valentine’s Day and Mother’s Day, as well as special occasions like anniversaries and graduation parties.
These events provide a potentially lucrative opportunity for operators to create a memorable meal, whether it’s via delivery or takeout sales.
Follow these 5 easy tips to make the most of every occasion.
Spread the word
The first strategy in attracting special occasion orders is making sure your regulars know about your capabilities. Website reminders and table tents can help set the stage with holiday menus, bundled meals or bulk ordering options such as pizza, subs and sides like chips or French fries. “Are you ready for graduation/the big game?” teasers on the restaurant’s homepage can link to the catering menu for families or groups that are in the market to buy food for a crowd, while posts on social media can also alert hungry diners of specials.
Social media now plays a major role in how diners choose where to eat. Sixty‑two percent of respondents say they sometimes check a restaurant’s social channels before deciding to dine there, and 57% admit they’re influenced by food photos shared online.2
Influencer impact is rising too, especially among younger diners. In the U.S., 20% of Gen Z turn to social media influencers when deciding where to order from. Visual appeal continues to shape their choices.1
Plan Properly
Once the word’s out, execution is key. And on special days like Mother’s Day, that often means finding ways to simply make her day easier. With 78% of Americans viewing food delivery as a form of self‑care,1 leaning into convenience and comfort isn’t just a nice touch — it’s exactly what many guests are looking for.
While flowers are nice, Mom would surely appreciate a delightful BBQ Brisket dinner with McCain® Skin-On Waffle Fries. Or a Meatloaf Family Meal with Anchor® Battered Mac & Cheese Wedges — something everyone can enjoy while spending time with Mom. It’s all about how we position the right menu options to best serve the occasion.
Add a special celebration
A simple gesture that turns an everyday meal-to-go into a celebration is to add a special themed dessert or appetizer. A big hit for the Fourth of July could be our Red, White and Blue Fries served with blue cheese dip and sun-dried tomato pesto. Or these Dublin-er Tots Poutine for St. Patrick’s Day, served with grilled red corned beef, brown beer gravy and melty Anchor® Breaded Wisconsin Cheese Curds.
Premium packaging or delivery by tuxedoed drivers raises the bar as well. Partnering with local florists, spas, salons or chocolatiers and offering an all-inclusive experience that goes beyond food is another way to make sweethearts, moms, dads, graduates and everyone feel special.
Promote premium options
However, promoting premium-priced limited-time offers (LTOs) on holidays can sometimes turn off regular customers. A better strategy could be to tweak regular menu items to reflect the holiday, such as menuing heart-shaped pizzas and cakes for Valentine’s Day. In fact, winter 2024 saw 18 new or returning items at major chains that included the word “heart” in their names.3 Meanwhile, the word “cookie" appeared in 44 LTO, new and returning items at major chains.3
Other ideas can include offering a “date night special” that includes sides like loaded fries, premium fries or waffle fries with the entree.
Offer occasion-specific ideas
When it comes to events like graduations or big sporting events, foods that reflect the graduate’s school or team colors make an impression. Depending on the occasion and the group size, menu options can lean toward bar food nachos or wings, picnic-style classics like burgers and fries, food truck-style fare such as street tacos, barbecued meats, clambakes and other party favorites. Cost carries a bit more weight than it does on holidays.
Offering several tiers of service is another option. Think of options that help satisfy the needs of customers across the spectrum. For example, simple takeout versus delivery; drop-off catering setup and removal; disposables versus china; flatware and glassware.
Special occasions will always be a reason for diners to get together for a meal. For restaurants, the trick is making the takeout and delivery experience feel just as special as dining out.
SOURCES
1DoorDash; DoorDash for Merchants, 50+ Food and Alcohol Delivery Statistics and Trends for 2025.
2Toast. How Are Diners Using Social Media? 59% Of Respondents Use Facebook the Most To Discover New Restaurants.
3Datassential; 2025 Winter Trends Webinar.
