Mother’s Day is the busiest restaurant day of the year—busier than game days, Father’s Day or any other holiday.1
To celebrate mom, families are looking for restaurants to roll out the red carpet, because moms deserve a break from balancing the chaos of the household, work, personal life, and the list could go on and on. Restaurants are well-positioned to provide them with a much-needed break (and perhaps a Bloody Mary).
BUT before we go any further, remember, this year Mother’s Day is Sunday, May 10th. So, how about you set a reminder to call your mom—you can thank us later.
Prepare for a Crowd
Mother’s Day is the highest-grossing Sunday of the year for restaurants, surpassing even football Sundays. Full-service restaurants can expect the average ticket size to be 32% higher than on any other weekend.2
“Moms want to take a backseat on planning this year, but 29% of families have had to panic-book [a reservation] within 24 hours of the holiday—so plan ahead,” shares Cheryl Paniagua, VP of Restaurant Sales and Services at Opentable.
Anticipate the Mother’s Day rush starting early. 47% of Mother’s Day transactions are during brunch, with 10 a.m. being an increasingly popular time for reservations.2 So aligning your LTOs, specials and staffing to lean into brunch is key.
Menuing for Moms
If Mother’s Day wasn’t reason enough to celebrate, this year it falls on the same day as Mexico’s Mother’s Day, Día de las Madres, a celebration held annually on May 10th, regardless of the day of the week. What a special opportunity to inspire your Mother’s Day menu and LTOs.
Shakshuka made with HERDEZ® Quemada Charred Salsa Verde
Traditional dishes like mole, pozole, enchiladas and tamales are staples in Mexican celebrations—but holidays can be an exciting time to think outside the box.
Brunch dishes like…
- Mole Chilaquiles with DOÑA MARIA® Mole Rojo,
- Shakshuka made with HERDEZ® Quemada Charred Salsa Verde
- and Southern Chicken Breakfast Bowl coated in LA VICTORIA® Red Enchilada Sauce
…all take direct inspiration from classic Mexican flavors and add a fun brunch spin.
Surprise & Delight
Moms want those special deals and promotions galore, who doesn’t?! 32% of moms would be more enticed to dine at a restaurant that offered a special Mother’s Day menu.1 But to go above and beyond, try to take your Mother’s Day offerings beyond your menu.
Special touches that go a step further, like offering to take a family photo, gifting them flowers at the end of their meal or setting a special place at the table for reservations who note “Mother’s Day,” are a few additional ways mom can feel pampered and special. Of course, the basics, like a pleasant and attentive front-of-house staff and operational efficiency, go a long way in ensuring guest satisfaction on busy holidays.
Churros with DOÑA MARIA® Mole Rojo Mocha Sauce
It’s important to slow down and remember that Mother’s Day is more than just another busy service day in the restaurant industry—it’s a unique opportunity to create lasting family memories and establish lasting customer loyalty.
Want to add more authentic Mexican flavor to your menu?
Partner with us and we can help make it a little easier. All MegaMex Foods ingredients are authentically and thoughtfully crafted to save you time and labor without sacrificing quality.
1 “Restaurant brands prepare for the Mother’s Day rush,” National Restaurant News, 2024
2 “ Mother’s Day Brunch Data,” Toast, 2024
