Happy Hour and promotions in the hospitality industry: time-limited and clearly advertised

Define the goal of the campaign

A happy hour promotion needs a clear objective. Do you want to enliven the time between noon and evening, attract new customers, or make a specific product more well-known? The objective determines when the promotion runs and what it includes.

• Fill quiet times: Action only during hours when there is usually little activity.
• New guests: Promote the offer visibly to the outside world, not just within the establishment.
• New product: offer a cocktail or dish at a deliberately discounted price so that guests try it.

Formulate conditions clearly

Unclear conditions lead to discussions at the counter. Write down what applies:

• Which drinks or foods are included, which are not?
• From when to when does the promotion apply – and does the order or the serving count?
• Does it only apply on certain days or places, such as at the bar?
• Is it combinable with other discounts?

For promotions involving alcohol, youth protection laws and the regulations of your country apply. Offers that encourage excessive drinking can be legally problematic and do not fit a good establishment anyway. Including non-alcoholic beverages in the promotion is a good idea.

Time window

The classic happy hour is in the early evening. For a cafe, it can be the afternoon; for a restaurant, the early evening before the main business. Keep the time window manageable and consistent so that guests can remember it.

It is practical if the advertising changes over time. A dynamic QR code from Same-QR can have different destinations based on the time of day and day of the week: During Happy Hour it leads to the promotional page, otherwise to the standard menu.

Advertising on the table and in the window

• A stand or sign at the entrance with time and offer.
• A note on the menu or as the daily special at the very top.
• A post on social media for the launch and a reminder in between.
• A QR code to the action page on flyers for offices and hotels in the vicinity.

For the action page itself, Same-QR has a template called Action: The offer is displayed prominently at the top, with the terms and conditions below. This way, guests do not need to ask what applies.

Evaluate afterwards

After a few weeks, you honestly look at the numbers: Did more guests come during the promotional period? Did they also continue to order at full price? Which products sold well? The cash register provides the most important data for this. The scans of the promotional codes additionally show whether the advertising was seen.

If the promotion is not worthwhile, end it cleanly and announce this. A happy hour that disappears silently disappoints guests more than a clearly communicated change.

Checklist for the action

• Objectives and timeframe defined.
• Conditions formulated in writing.
• Prices stored in the cash register.
• Notice board, signboard and digital action page prepared.
• Team instructed so that everyone states the same conditions.
• Appointment for the evaluation in the calendar.

With this preparation, the campaign runs smoothly from the first day, and after a few weeks you will know whether it was worth it.

Frequently asked questions