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It’s no secret that many restaurants see a drop in customer volume once the new year begins. According to research from the National Restaurant Association (see data source), the early months can be among the slowest in the entire calendar. This is partly due to post-holiday spending hangovers and partly because people make lifestyle changes that can limit dining out. On the flip side, this quieter time can be a golden opportunity to capture a customer’s full attention.
The necessity for marketing and thoughtful engagement becomes even clearer when foot traffic is scarce. When fewer guests walk in, you want to make each visitor count. Rather than viewing the January slowdown as a mere decrease in table turns, consider it a gift of added time and flexibility. You can train your servers more thoroughly, test new promotions, experiment with updated menu items, and—crucially—create deeper connections. It’s in these moments of lower volume that you can perfect how you present the check and gather the maximum returns from it.
In many restaurants, the final scene of the dining experience is quick and transactional. The guest signals for the check, glances at the total, and pays. But whether that check is a printed piece of paper or a digital screen displayed by a payment terminal, it can become a genuine moment for communication. Here are a few examples of how you can do this:
The idea here is to make the check presentation a moment of constructive engagement, rather than a hasty afterthought.
There’s no denying that technology has changed how we consume meals. From scanning a QR code to pay to discovering new restaurants on social media, digital interactions have become part of modern dining. Embracing that is not about replacing human warmth; it’s about harnessing tools that free up your team’s energy for more personal customer experiences.
Providing a digital payment option—like scanning a QR code on the table—helps your guests avoid waiting around for a paper bill. With a solution like sunday, customers can just scan, pay, tip, and even leave a Google review right from their phone. That frictionless checkout can boost satisfaction. More importantly, it opens a door to share a promotion or story about your restaurant, which can keep clients returning in the slower months.
For instance, imagine a scenario: A guest comes in during a chilly January evening. After a cozy meal, they can scan a QR code to settle the bill. Before they leave, they notice a subtle message: “Enjoy your meal? Don’t miss our winter tasting event on the 15th. Tap here to learn more.” It’s a natural extension of your brand’s voice. Instead of handing them a paper coupon they might toss, they get a real-time digital invitation. The trick is to make it feel like a suggestion rather than a forced push.
Choosing how to enable tipping is an essential part of the check process. Many customers appreciate the convenience of digital tipping. It’s faster, requires no mental math, and can come with recommended tip percentages. This is good for you, too, since servers often earn higher tips with an automated suggestion. At the same time, building positive energy around tipping can lay the groundwork for a lasting guest relationship.
If you provide different tip recommendations in a friendly, visually appealing format—perhaps something like, “Great service deserves a great tip! Thank you for supporting our team!”—you set an appreciative tone. People like to know their tips are genuinely valued. That simple step can additionally prompt them to remember your restaurant’s hospitality the next time they’re thinking of dining out.
January is also a perfect time to institute new staff training on how to approach the check presentation with sincerity. The check moment should be intuitive, not pushy. Instead of “Would you like to leave 15% or 20%?” a few welcoming words—“Thanks for dining with us! If you loved your experience, feel free to leave a tip of your choice. We appreciate your support”—makes it about gratitude, not a demand.
There’s no denying that reviews can make or break a business. While negative reviews are always a concern, not asking or encouraging satisfied diners to leave feedback can deprive you of one of the most potent forms of marketing: genuine, positive word-of-mouth. Many guests only need a small nudge to leave a short five-star recommendation on Google or other platforms—and January can be the time to nudge gently. People are more apt to share thoughtful feedback when they’ve had a relaxed, pleasant experience.
Here’s a simple strategy: Add a line to the digital check (or a link via QR code) that says, “Enjoyed your visit? Share your feedback and help us spread the word!” Clicking that link leads directly to a Google review page or a private feedback form. By making it easy and immediate, you gain more authentic reviews from happy diners. Best of all, these positive reviews will still be visible once your restaurant enters the busier months again.
One caveat: Keep the invitation—whether typed or spoken—brief and warm. Rather than a long pitch, let customers know their input is valued. If they had a good time, they’ll be happy to help highlight the restaurant that delivered it.
Even a well-orchestrated holiday rush doesn’t guarantee stable crowds for the months ahead. Cultivating loyalty programs that encourage repeat visits can bridge that gap. And tying a loyalty opportunity in with the check presentation is the ideal way to introduce it. For example, you might provide a link to sign up for your membership club. You can use language like: “Thanks for dining with us. Join our loyalty program to earn points on every visit—start today to unlock special January treats!”
The advantage of using a digital approach is that sign-up is nearly instant. A paper sign-up sheet can get lost in the shuffle, or potential members might forget to fill it out. In contrast, scanning a QR code to pay and then being greeted by a quick sign-up interface while the experience is fresh in their minds can drastically improve enrollment rates. Even just capturing an email address is a step in the right direction, as it opens the door to future marketing emails, special offers, and personalized updates.
When you tie loyalty programs to your payment process, be mindful of the data you request. Keep it as simple as possible: first name, email, phone number if you absolutely need it. Striking the right balance between quick sign-ups and meaningful data collection helps ensure you don’t lose potential customers who find the process taxing.
January is fertile ground for new ideas. Perhaps you want to run a limited-edition New Year’s menu, highlight local winter produce, or build a special “cozy cocktail” list. The check presentation is an excellent spot to plug these unique offerings. Even something as simple as a note on the digital receipt—“Next week, enjoy our local winter squash special!”—can spark curiosity. Pair that with a direct link to your website or social media events page, and you’ll see more traction from guests who might otherwise slip away.
While the holidays might be behind us, that doesn’t mean the spirit of celebration has to die. January can also be a time the community looks for excuses to come together. Maybe that means an open mic night on Wednesdays or a small local art gallery in your restaurant space. You can transform the check moment into a friendly invitation: “Loved your meal? Come back for local art night this Thursday. Tap here to learn more about our winter events.” This approach fosters a sense of continuity.
Remember, you’re not just promoting deals—you’re sharing experiences that match the cozy, rejuvenating energy of the new year. That emotional connection is what makes a simple piece of paper or a digital screen become a personal, meaningful invite—an invite that might lead guests right back through your doors.
When a guest finishes their meal, they’re often in a positive, receptive frame of mind—especially if they’re satisfied with the service. That final check can be a subtle but effective way to collect small bits of data that help you tailor future communications. You might invite them to answer a quick question or two about their preferences, or note their favorite dishes if they join your loyalty program. Then, come mid-January, you could email them a personalized suggestion for a new dish or an offer specifically tuned to what they enjoyed last time.
If your restaurant integrates a digital payment solution, such data collection can be automated. Instead of handing customers a separate survey, you can include a small link—“Help us get to know you, so we can serve you even better!” That link can lead to a short, one-minute form. Because it’s easier and less pushy than an in-person ask, you may find more diners are willing to participate.
Servers guide the entire dining experience, from the moment customers walk in until they leave. And while technology supports a smoother payment system, the warmth and personal touch ultimately come from your team. Encourage servers to see the check not as the end of service, but as a final chance to thank guests and invite them to return.
One technique is to train servers to make each digital payment handoff personal. “It’s been wonderful serving you tonight,” or “We’d love to see you again soon—feel free to check out our winter specials!” fosters a sense of connection. If a server can maintain this tone throughout your busiest season, it’s especially vital in January, when every bit of repeat business can help offset post-holiday downturns.
Pay special attention to server training around digital tip prompts. Approach them not as an excuse to ask for money but as a chance to express how tips directly support the people who craft the dining experience. This approach aligns with the direct, human style that resonates with modern diners.
With so many restaurants turning to digital receipts and online loyalty pushes, guests can develop “check fatigue,” where they sense a certain sameness in the payment process. Combat that by injecting just a little fun. For instance:
In all these cases, humor and authenticity matter. Keep the tone light, sincere, and not overly promotional. The objective is to stand out by acknowledging your customers as human beings, not just transactions. A little creativity can cut through the noise and make guests appreciate your restaurant’s unique personality—especially in a more subdued month like January.
One of the best ways to connect with diners in January is to lean into the season’s vibe. Many customers are looking for comforting, hearty dishes after the hustle of the holidays. They might also be mindful of their budgets, which means offering accessible prices or combo meals can be a draw. Additionally, if people are focusing on health or wellness, highlight flavorful, lighter choices in your menu—soups, salads with fresh winter ingredients, and so on.
When it’s time to present the check, keep an eye out for ways to reaffirm this seasonal narrative. If your restaurant is known for local produce, mention the farm-fresh origin at the bottom of the receipt. If you’re offering a healthy-eating workshop or a themed event, embed that snippet of info so your guest sees it at the perfect moment. Getting them to pay is only half the story—inviting them to continue the journey with you is the real goal.
Implementing a modern payment system is not just about demonstrating tech-savviness. It’s also about running your operations more efficiently. When the check process is digitized, you reduce the wait time between the guest requesting the bill and your server running back and forth. You also reduce errors in splitting checks. This can be especially helpful on busier nights or weekends, but it also enables you to experiment in January without creating chaos.
For example, if you rely on sunday’s QR code payment solution, your staff can spend less time on manual billing tasks. That frees them up to do what they do best: engage with customers, assist in menu choices, and share upcoming promos or brand messages. By centralizing feedback tools, loyalty sign-ups, and promotional messages into the payment interface, you won’t lose track of how many sign-ups you’re getting or how many reviews are generated.
When everything is connected, you have a consistent brand presence from start to finish—creating fewer missed opportunities for reinforcement. That consistency is often the backbone of strong marketing. Especially in a slow season, every marketing touchpoint needs to be integrated and purposeful.
Turning the check into a marketing moment doesn’t end when the customer leaves your restaurant. If you’d like to maintain momentum, consider sending a quick thank-you email or text to anyone who has opted in through your loyalty program. “Thank you for dining with us in January! Stay warm, and come back for our new winter dessert—here’s a little sweet coupon for next time.” This small step transforms a single meal into a relationship with real staying power.
Try to keep your follow-up messages relevant, timely, and not overly frequent. January is often a transitional month, so you can also highlight upcoming changes or improvements you’re making. Inviting them to be part of your restaurant’s journey—“We’d love your input as we craft our Valentine’s Day tasting menu!”—gives customers a sense of ownership. And that sense of being valued can be the ultimate reason they choose your establishment in the months to come.
Not if it’s done politely and with genuine warmth. Keep the messaging short and well-integrated with the payment process. Frame it as a simple invitation rather than a pushy promotion. Many customers say they appreciate the convenience of digital prompts when it comes to leaving reviews or joining loyalty programs.
Technology should complement—not replace—human warmth. Your servers still greet diners, recommend dishes, and connect with them face-to-face. A digital check simply handles the transaction more efficiently while facilitating optional actions like signing up for a loyalty program. That leaves your team free to provide a higher level of personal attention.
Offering both options respects personal preferences. Some guests will feel more comfortable with a paper receipt, and that’s fine. Still, you can incorporate a QR code on the paper bill for those who want to pay digitally or access a new promotion. Maintaining flexibility helps ensure you cater to a broad audience style.
Not at all. You can start small by adding a QR code to your printed checks and setting up a simple landing page that thanks diners and invites them to join your email list or leave a quick review. More comprehensive solutions like sunday offer a bigger toolkit to create multiple marketing touchpoints from a single scan, but it doesn’t have to break the bank to enjoy the basics.
When you operate a restaurant, you already know that every decision—big or small—shapes your brand image. And while January can sometimes feel like the quiet after the storm, it’s also the perfect period to refine, experiment, and grow. By transforming the check into a marketing moment, you’ll do more than secure tips and finalize payments. You’ll build relationships, garner priceless feedback, and guide customers toward their next fantastic experience at your table—even if the temperature outside hasn’t quite thawed yet.
