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Every year, restaurants and cafés brace themselves for one of the busiest and most beloved celebrations in the United States: Thanksgiving. From roasted turkeys to pumpkin pies, it’s a day of gratitude and indulgence. But for many restaurateurs, this season can also bring a flood of pre-orders, frantic last-minute calls, and logistical headaches.
In the US alone, an estimated 46 million turkeys are eaten on Thanksgiving, according to the National Turkey Federation. Restaurants see a surge of customers who prefer to order fully cooked meals or specialty items for pickup and delivery, looking to save time and reduce stress in their own kitchens. While this boost in demand is fantastic for business, it also brings unique challenges that can become overwhelming if you’re unprepared.
In this article, we’ll explore how to manage Thanksgiving pre-orders—particularly turkeys and pies—without setting your kitchen (or your nerves) on fire. We’ll dive into practical tips on promoting your offer, choosing the best ordering system, managing inventory, and coordinating a pickup schedule that keeps both staff and customers happy.
Before jumping into logistics, let’s look at why pre-orders can be so beneficial for your Thanksgiving business:
However, reaping these rewards means having a user-friendly system, clear communication, and a logistical plan that makes sense.
To stand out from the competition, your pre-order menu has to look irresistible. Think of it as a perfectly seasoned turkey: no matter how you cook it, it needs some flair to wow your guests.
Your first step is to highlight what makes your Thanksgiving offer unique. Are you serving free-range turkeys with a secret brine? Offering vegan pumpkin pies? Maybe you have a famous pecan pie recipe that people line up for every year. Make your signature dish the star of your promotional materials.
Consider limited-edition stuffing flavors, special side dishes, and dessert bundles. For instance, bundling a whole turkey with your best sides and pies offers a convenient one-stop solution for customers. One flat rate, a variety of flavorful dishes—everyone wins.
A delicious offering needs an equally enticing promotion strategy. You can have the best turkey in town, but if no one knows about it, your phone won’t ring. Here’s how to spread the word.
Many of your potential customers are searching online for “Thanksgiving pre-orders” or “holiday catering.” Harness that traffic by listing your menu on your website and social media accounts. Use enticing photos—think golden-brown turkeys, flaky pie crusts, and luscious fillings—to make mouths water.
Encourage customers to order early by offering a small discount for reservations made before a set deadline. This not only boosts early sales but also helps you plan your inventory more accurately. If you go this route, communicate the cutoff date loudly and clearly across all your channels.
Although turkey is the holiday headliner, your payment method shouldn’t be overlooked. If people want to tip your staff for exceptional service, make it simple. With easy checkouts—such as offering payment by QR code—you reduce friction for your guests. Restaurant payment solutions like sunday equip you with an effortless way for customers to settle the bill, leave a tip, and even drop a Google review before they leave the restaurant or pick up their order.
When it comes to collecting pre-orders, efficiency is the name of the game. You need a system that’s easy to manage, prevents overbooking, and gives customers a hassle-free experience.
You might use an online ordering platform or integrate a pre-order form on your website. The key is keeping it straightforward: require essential details like name, contact information, pick-up or delivery preference, and payment method. Additional items or side dishes should be easy to add.
If you prefer to manage orders through phone or email, consider employing a backup tracking tool—like a shared spreadsheet or dedicated app—to prevent mistakes. However, digital ordering platforms can simplify communication, reduce manual entry errors, and offer customers a more modern experience.
Collecting deposits or full prepayments is a common—and wise—practice. Secure online payments ensure you’re not stuck with unclaimed turkeys. Make sure your payment method is user-friendly, reliable, and transparent about any fees. Whether you use a payment gateway or a solution like sunday for quick QR checkouts, it’s essential to handle transactions smoothly.
Imagine running out of turkeys two days before Thanksgiving because you miscalculated orders. That’s a nightmare scenario. Thorough inventory planning is critical.
Look at previous holiday seasons for clues on how many pre-orders you can expect. Consider current market trends, promotional outreach, and any new menu items that might attract attention. Use a bit of caution when expanding your expected numbers: it’s better to sell out than be stuck with costly surplus.
Track the number of turkeys you have, their sizes, and the number of pies you can produce daily without overworking your kitchen. Be realistic: if your small bakery can only produce 50 pies a day without sacrificing quality, set that limit and communicate it upfront. This transparency builds trust and discourages last-minute chaos.
Even small missteps in scheduling can throw the whole operation off. This might mean lines out the door or frustrated guests showing up when their orders aren’t ready. A well-designed pickup schedule is vital.
Organize pickups by timeslots—like 15 or 30-minute increments—to stagger arrivals. This approach avoids having 50 people waiting for their turkeys at once. It also makes it easier for your kitchen to stay on pace, so you’re not rushing to package dishes at the last minute.
Nobody wants to dig through bags when a line of customers is waiting. Label every order clearly with the customer’s name or number. Keep a small table or station for distributing orders so that staff can double-check what’s going out. Minimal confusion equals maximum satisfaction.
| Timeslot | Number of Orders | Staff in Charge |
|---|---|---|
| 10:00 – 10:30 AM | 10 | Sarah & Omar |
| 10:30 – 11:00 AM | 15 | Jessica & Tony |
| 11:00 – 11:30 AM | 15 | Lisa & Pedro |
Your team is the backbone of a smooth Thanksgiving operation. Ensure they’re prepared, motivated, and have the support they need to handle the holiday stress.
From the front of house to the kitchen, everyone needs to know the specifics: how pre-orders will be labeled, which questions to ask customers, and any special protocols for handling turkeys or pies. Conduct a quick team meeting to confirm everyone is on the same page regarding timelines, responsibilities, and possible issues.
Thanksgiving can be grueling, but a cheerful staff can make all the difference. Encourage short breaks, offer easy-to-eat snacks, and acknowledge each other’s hard work. A well-cared-for team will radiate warmth to customers—even amidst the holiday bustle.
No matter how well you plan, there will always be customers desperate for a turkey after your official cutoff. The question is how to handle these requests in a way that doesn’t upend your entire operation.
If you can accommodate a few extra orders, set a small capacity buffer—such as 5–10%—to allow minimal additions. But be transparent about whether you can manage them. If you’re completely at capacity, politely explain that you cannot accept more orders to maintain quality and service for existing customers.
Can you sell sides or smaller turkey portions instead of a full bird? Is there a different pie flavor that’s not yet sold out? Point last-minute shoppers toward any available options so you don’t miss an opportunity altogether.
An organized pre-order system does more than just keep you sane—it also creates a fantastic opportunity to build loyalty. After customers pick up their Thanksgiving orders, follow up with a simple “How was your meal?” A short post-purchase survey or an invitation to leave a Google review can offer invaluable insights.
Proactively requesting reviews strengthens your online reputation. If you offer a payment option like sunday that lets them pay via QR code and then quickly post a review, you’ll see a faster influx of feedback. Positive reviews attract more holiday (and year-round) customers to your restaurant.
A small coupon or discount for a future order encourages repeat business. Show customers you appreciate them—your turkey and pie might win them over once, but a thoughtful gesture can turn them into loyal regulars.
Thanksgiving pre-orders have the power to boost your bottom line, but only if you handle pricing correctly. Balancing affordability for customers and profitability for your business is a delicate dance.
Focus on your raw ingredient expenses and add a margin that covers labor, overhead, and some profit. Remember, turkeys can vary significantly in cost based on size and quality. Do the math for each offering—like traditional turkey dinners vs. gourmet organic meals—to see which are most profitable.
Encourage customers to add on items they may have forgotten. Cranberry sauce, sides like cornbread stuffing, or an extra pie for the in-laws can all generate extra revenue. Spell these out in a checklist during the preorder process: “Don’t forget to add whipped cream for your pie!”
Before wrapping up, here are some actionable takeaways:
The Thanksgiving season is a gift for you and your customers—one that can bring robust sales and heartwarming connections. Yes, it requires organization, creativity, and stamina, but the payoff can be huge. Keep in mind the spirit of the holiday: it’s about gratitude and community. By offering a well-managed pre-order system, you’re helping families enjoy a stress-free meal, while strengthening the success and reputation of your restaurant. In short, it’s a win-win that reminds us all what Thanksgiving is really about.
Review your sales data from previous years, adjust based on current demand or any external factors (like new advertising campaigns), and keep a small buffer. Also, consider prepayment to secure orders and reduce last-minute no-shows.
Some businesses give a size range—like small (10–12 pounds), medium (12–15 pounds), and large (15–18 pounds)—to streamline inventory. Others let customers pick exact weights if they can handle the complexity. Choose the approach that best suits your kitchen’s capacity.
Establish a firm window for pickups and communicate it clearly in confirmation emails or text messages. You can also implement a small fee for late pickups, but be sure to inform customers ahead of time to avoid surprises.
Arrange a quick hands-on training session. If you choose a user-friendly payment solution—like one offering QR codes for quick transactions—most team members will pick it up easily. Include a troubleshooting document for any unexpected glitches.
Absolutely. The same principles apply to any Thanksgiving-themed product. Clear ordering, proper inventory planning, and a well-managed pickup schedule will help you make the most of pie season, too.
