Running a restaurant isn’t easy. Several hidden expenses add up quickly, and keeping customers happy with quality food is an entirely different set of hurdles. Fortunately, there are some steps your restaurant can take to earn more money without sacrificing the quality of your food or service.
Creative Upselling
Upselling is the act of providing suggestions or recommendations to your guests to encourage them to spend more money. Some of the more common upselling practices are suggesting an appetizer to go with their meal, or instead of water, asking if the guests would like to take advantage of your “buy one get one” deal on cocktails.
Teaching your staff the practical tips for upselling can bring a lot of returning guests to your restaurant. Customers feel comfortable around a knowledgeable staff that knows how to recommend without being forceful.
Selling Merchandise
Many customers want a keepsake of the places they visit. Having merchandise for your restaurants, such as T-shirts, shot glasses, or hats, is a great step your restaurant can take to earn more money. Building a familial culture around your restaurant makes people feel like they’re part of something.
Many restaurants sell merchandise featuring their name and logo, but other options include focusing on your signature dish. Merchandise is not only an additional revenue source, but any customer wearing your shirt is essentially giving you free advertising.
Social Media Buzz
Speaking of free advertising, word of mouth through online interaction is vital in the restaurant business. Encouraging your happy customers to leave positive feedback online is a great way to draw in the crowds and earn extra income.
Creating a clever social media hashtag encouraging people to share photos or stories of their food helps generate a lot of buzz. It’s a good idea to promote these posts by having a weekly or monthly drawing for a free dessert or other prizes (like your merchandise) that can help bring in a lot of guests with minimal cost and effort.
Fat Tuesday and Ash Wednesday sit side by side on the calendar, but they feel very different.
One is full of color, music, and celebration. The other is quiet, simple, and reflective.
Together, they form a powerful transition from feasting to fasting, from Carnival to Lent.
Ramadan 2026 is expected to begin on the evening of February 17, 2026. The first day of fasting will likely fall on February 18. The month will end around March 19, 2026, depending on local moon sightings. These dates may be changed, depending on the country.
A red robin watches a Ramadan family prayer with warmth and wonder.
Ride into the rare Year of the Fire Horse with legends, dragon dances, lucky foods, and a fiery red robin salute to Lunar New Year. The Year of the Fire Horse is one of the most dramatic and culturally charged cycles in the Chinese zodiac. It appears only once every 60 years, and when it does, it ignites stories of passion, rebellion, creativity, and change.
From ancient legends to modern festivals filled with dragon dances and lanterns, the Fire Horse gallops through history
as a symbol of both risk and possibility.
Quick Fire Horse Snapshot:
Rare 60-year cycle • Fiery passion • Bold change • Artistic energy • A time to move, create, and transform.
Fire Horse-inspired lantern art at a Lunar New Year celebration.
As mid-February settles in, Presidents' Day arrives as a welcome pause in the winter season, a moment when
communities across the United States step outdoors for parades, visit historic sites, and reflect on the
leaders who shaped the nation. The holiday blends civic pride with the comfort of a long weekend, creating
a unique mix of celebration, education, and family time.
In 2026, the holiday on February 16th carries added significance as the nation enters its 250th anniversary year,
inspiring expanded programming, special exhibitions, and renewed interest in the country’s founding era.
From record spending to instant downloadable gifts for couples, pets, and families. For late shoppers, these ideas make a great solution for finding meaningful gifts.
Valentine’s Day 2026 is shaping up to be one of the biggest yet. Recent retail surveys show
that total Valentine’s spending is expected to reach record levels, with average budgets per
person climbing close to the $200 mark. Consumers aren’t just buying for romantic
partners anymore; they’re also celebrating kids, pets, friends, and themselves.
At the same time, how people express love is changing. Instead of defaulting to last‑minute
flowers and generic chocolates, many are looking for gifts that feel personal, meaningful,
and easy to deliver, especially when they’ve left things a little late. That’s where
downloadable, print‑at‑home, and digital gifts step into the spotlight.
