Restaurants Get Ready: Sales Increase 65% on Valentine’s Day, but Servers Want the Night off

By PRNewswire On Feb 5, 2020

Upserve and 7shifts have collaborated on a Valentine’s Day guide filled with data and insights to help restaurateurs make better business decisions during this restaurant-centric holiday.

Upserve’s data team pulled the numbers on Valentine’s Day’s most ordered items, table turn times, ticket sales, and more. Understanding what guests are looking for in a Valentine’s Day experience will help restaurant owners, managers, and chefs craft the perfect menu, create an ideal customer experience, and bring in more guests. Additionally, the team at 7shifts provides insights into staffing during this busy holiday, helping restaurateurs make smarter scheduling decisions.

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Valentine’s Day Menu Ideas

Lobster and steak dishes: It may seem cliché, but sales of these two items go up 78% and 62% respectively on Valentine’s Day.
Heart-shaped pizzas: Get cute and casual by offering a themed version of everyone’s favorite food.
Dessert specials: Guests are 50% more likely to order dessert on Valentine’s Day, so give them enough options to choose from. Red velvet cake, strawberry ice cream, and anything chocolate are all classics.

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Valentine’s Day Sales and Staffing

No matter the location, restaurant sales increased on Valentine’s Day by 65% on average across the country, so restaurants need to make sure they are well-staffed and ready for the rush. (Valentine’s Day 2019 had 147% more time-off requests compared with the average Thursday, so planning ahead is key!)

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