In America, holidays and food go hand in hand. A 2023 survey from the National Restaurant Association found that 63% of adults planned to eat out during December. Thus, Thanksgiving, Christmas, Hanukkah and New Year’s Eve are wondrous opportunities for your restaurant as customers seek to gather around delicious tables full of food with family and friends. Readying your restaurant for holiday customers this winter season can help you improve sales and retain a loyal customer base year after year.

Below, we’ll look at some simple steps you can take to prepare your restaurant for the holiday crowd.

Assess your textile supply and colors 

Restaurants need textiles to run successfully, especially high-end restaurants. Consider how your current supply and stock of table linens, aprons and utility towels will meet your or your clients’ needs this holiday season.

Make seasonal table linen swaps

Table linens make a statement. The style and color say a lot about your restaurant. During the holidays, your table linens—and entire tablescape—can let guests know you’re here to create beautiful food memories for them and their loved ones. Thoughtfully chosen cloth napkins, tablecloths and banquet tops can convey the holiday or season that’s being celebrated.

Switching up your table setting is a simple way to decorate for the holidays without adding clutter to your walls or floor. Some easy table linen swaps to make include:

• Diplomat Stripe Napkins in maroon or green stripes
• Milliken Signature tablecloths and napkins in Red, Maroon, Forest Green, Wedgewood Blue or Gold for winter holidays
• Milliken Damask HD’s Performance table linens in dark green Symphony or red Satin Band for Christmas
• Milliken Lattice Placemats in Red, Maroon, Forest Green, Wedgewood Blue or Gold paired with your existing table linens for a pop of seasonal color

Stock up on utility towels

Preparing for the holidays requires more than decorating and offering seasonal dishes. You must account for increased foot traffic in your restaurant or hotel bar.

A 2018 study by BeverageDaily found that the average U.S. adult doubles their alcohol intake between Thanksgiving and New Year’s Day. Prepare for the surge in alcohol sales over the winter holidays by equipping your front-of-house staff with ample bar mop towels. Not only can you expect more spills, but also more glasses to wipe down each shift. Our microfiber bar mops outlast cotton bar mops 10 to 1 for ultimate reliability during a busy holiday season.

Similarly, you’ll need more kitchen towels for back-of-house cleaning and sanitation to keep up with food prep and dishwashing tasks. In 2023, PopMenu found that one-third of consumers plan to order take-out for Thanksgiving, while 17% plan to dine in. Stocking up on utility towels properly will help you meet the increased demand while reducing your restaurant’s paper waste.

Consider your uniform needs 

If you’re hiring extra holiday help for special in-house events, catered events, or extended dining hours, ensure you have enough uniforms on hand. New servers, hostesses, line cooks, dishwashers, and bartenders need the right aprons for the job.

Along with adjusting needed stock, consider changing uniform colors for seasonal events. Warm autumn hues reflect the color-changing leaves and Thanksgiving season, while reds and greens pair well with Christmas meals. Seasonal uniforms can enhance the atmosphere during themed events, such as breakfast with Santa, a Christmas Eve candlelight dinner or a Thanksgiving feast. Our Milliken Signature Aprons come in 16 colorways to accommodate whatever ambiance you plan to create.

Cost-effective import spun polyester Duratec(R) Apron as well available in no-pocket, pencil-pocket and three-pocket options

Other ways to get your restaurant holiday-ready

Updating your restaurant’s textiles isn’t the only way to prepare for the holidays. Changing up menus and other decorations will also help you capitalize on the holiday traffic.

Decorate tastefully

Tasteful holiday decorations that mesh with your restaurant’s current aesthetic can elevate the winter dining experience. Consider small changes that don’t detract from the hard work you’ve already put into your restaurant’s decor. For example, a Christmas tree decorated with ornaments that match your color scheme. Or a menorah, snowglobe or snowman figurine over your restaurant’s fireplace. Not only do these touches look great in person, but they’ll also photograph beautifully, giving you—and your customers—a perfect backdrop for social media posts.

Offer specialty holiday drink & food menus

Pumpkin spice, cranberry, gingerbread, candy canes and eggnog. Put your mixologists and chefs to work crafting holiday specials that feature flavors many crave this time of year. Party-friendly appetizers, such as charcuterie, shrimp cocktails and dip boards, can be adapted to suit any holiday theme for easy catering switches. Also consider offering limited-time family-style take-out meals, such as a Thanksgiving turkey or Christmas ham with sides. New holiday menu items can anchor your social media content and help boost food and alcohol sales from November and beyond.

Venus has the holidays covered

Whether you’re looking to increase your current textile supply for the holiday rush or hoping to change up textile colors this winter, Venus has what you need. Many of our aprons, tablecloths, cloth napkins and placemats come in various colors and holiday-friendly patterns. Plus, our U.S.-based manufacturing facilities and distribution points help us fulfill customer orders with a short turnaround time. Questions? Speak to a textile expert today at 800.421.6599 or email us at sales@venusgroup.com.

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