Halloween Restaurant Marketing
Turn tricks into treats with spooky promotions that bring families and parties to your door.
October 31
Publish 2 months before
Halloween has evolved from a kids' candy holiday to a major dining and events occasion. Adults throw costume parties, families seek pre-trick-or-treating dinners, and themed experiences draw crowds throughout October. This guide covers creating memorable Halloween experiences, from spooky menus to costume contests and family-friendly events.
Halloween Dining Stats
$12.2B
Halloween Spending
69%
Adults Celebrating
45%
Seeking Experiences
$3.1B
Food & Beverages
Halloween is increasingly an adult holiday. Themed dining experiences and events are growing fastest.
Marketing Tips
Start the Season Early
Begin Halloween promotions in early October. The whole month is 'spooky season' for enthusiasts.
Host Events Throughout October
Don't limit to Oct 31. Weekend costume parties, murder mysteries, and haunted dinners spread demand.
Create Instagram-Worthy Moments
Themed cocktails, dramatic presentation, and photo-op decorations drive social sharing.
Cater to Families Pre-Trick-or-Treat
Offer early dinner specials (4-6PM) for families fueling up before the neighborhood rounds.
Partner with Haunted Attractions
Team up with haunted houses, corn mazes, or pumpkin patches for pre/post-event dining.
Promotion Ideas
Monster Menu
Themed dishes with creative, spooky names and presentation
Vampire's Bite (blood orange cocktail), Witch's Brew (black bean soup)
Costume Contest Dinner
Best costume wins free dinner or gift card, with multiple categories
Scariest, Funniest, Best Group, Best Kids categories with prizes
Murder Mystery Dinner
Interactive dining experience with actors and mystery to solve
4-course dinner with murder mystery performance = $75/person
Kids Eat Free in Costume
Drive family traffic with costume-required kids' deal
Kids in costume eat free with adult entrée purchase
Haunted Happy Hour
Spooky-themed cocktail specials and appetizers during happy hour
Smoking dry ice cocktails, glow-in-dark shots, themed appetizers
Online Ordering Tips
Create Halloween Bundles
Party packs with themed foods and treats for home celebrations.
Promote Early Dinner Pre-Orders
Let families pre-order for quick turnaround before trick-or-treating.
Offer Candy Alternatives
Position kid-friendly menu items as healthier trick-or-treat alternatives for families.
Enable Event Ticketing
For murder mysteries and special events, sell tickets through your ordering platform.
Add Themed Desserts
Spooky desserts are high-margin impulse purchases. Feature them prominently.
Preparation Timeline
8 weeks before
Plan Halloween events and themed menu
Book entertainment (if applicable)
Design decorations and atmosphere
Create marketing creative
6 weeks before
Launch 'Spooky Season' campaign
Open event reservations/ticket sales
Start social media countdown
Partner with local Halloween businesses
4 weeks before
Weekly Halloween features begin
Email campaign intensifies
Costume contest promotion
Confirm all event details
Week of Halloween
Full decoration install
Staff costumes mandatory
Final event preparations
Social media blitz on Oct 31
Frequently Asked Questions
Should my whole staff dress up?
Yes! Staff costumes enhance the experience. Consider themed costumes (all vampires, all witches) for cohesion.
How do I handle Halloween falling on a weekday?
Main events Saturday before, family specials on actual Halloween, adult party the following weekend.
What about food allergies and trick-or-treat?
Offer 'teal pumpkin' options (non-candy treats) and clearly mark allergens on your spooky menu.
Is Halloween worth the decoration investment?
Absolutely. Themed experiences justify premium pricing and generate social media content all month.
Create Spooktacular Experiences
RestauNax helps you manage Halloween events, reservations, and themed promotions—all without the scary commissions.