Mother's Day Restaurant Marketing
Celebrate moms and capture the biggest brunch day of the year.
May (2nd Sunday)
Publish 3 months before
Mother's Day is the single busiest day for restaurant brunches in America. Families plan weeks ahead to celebrate mom, and restaurants that prepare effectively see record-breaking covers. This guide covers brunch menu optimization, reservation management, family-friendly marketing, and how to handle the massive demand spike.
Mother's Day Dining Stats
$4.6B
Dining Out Spending
87%
% Celebrating with Meal
4-6
Average Party Size
3:1
Brunch vs Dinner
Mother's Day is the #1 day for restaurant dining. Most families celebrate with brunch, making it crucial for breakfast/lunch spots.
Marketing Tips
Market to Gift Buyers Early
Target gift card and experience purchasers in late April. Many families buy brunch as mom's gift.
Create Multi-Generational Appeal
Market to adult children booking for mom AND moms celebrating with their own kids. Different angles, same day.
Highlight Family-Friendly Features
Emphasize kids' menu, high chairs, family seating, and any special touches for children celebrating grandma.
Offer Brunch AND Dinner Options
Not everyone can do brunch. Market dinner specials for families who need evening flexibility.
Partner with Florists and Gift Shops
Create packages with flowers delivered to the table or gift add-ons for the complete celebration.
Promotion Ideas
Mom's Day Brunch Buffet
All-you-can-eat brunch spread with premium stations
Omelette station, carving station, pastry bar, mimosa bar = $45/adult
Kids Host Mom
Let kids create mom's perfect meal with guided menu selections
Kids pick mom's courses, special 'from your kids' dessert
Generational Photo Packages
Professional photographer for family portraits during meal
Printed photo in keepsake frame included with brunch reservation
Mom Eats Free
Mom's meal comped with minimum party size or spending threshold
Mom's entrée free with party of 4+ or $100 minimum
Take-Home Brunch Kit
Complete brunch package for families celebrating at home
Quiche, pastries, fruit, mimosa kit for 6 = $120, heat-and-serve
Online Ordering Tips
Require Reservations Early
Open reservations 4-6 weeks ahead. Mother's Day fills fast—create urgency with countdown marketing.
Set Party Size Minimums
Require minimum 4-person reservations to maximize seating efficiency on your busiest day.
Promote Gift Cards
Push gift cards heavily in late April. 'Give mom the gift of brunch' messaging works well.
Enable Pre-Ordering
Let reservations pre-select meals to speed service and manage kitchen flow.
Offer Premium Add-Ons
Champagne, flowers, and desserts as checkout upgrades. Families want to make it special.
Preparation Timeline
8 weeks before
Plan brunch menu and pricing structure
Set up reservation system with deposits
Book extra staff for the day
Plan marketing campaign creative
6 weeks before
Open reservations to VIP/loyalty members first
Launch email campaign announcing availability
Start social media promotion
Reach out to local publications
4 weeks before
Open general reservations
Launch gift card promotion
Partner outreach for packages
Confirm photographer if offering
2 weeks before
Send 'Almost Full' urgency emails
Promote dinner alternative for brunch overflow
Finalize staffing and food orders
Prepare decorations
Frequently Asked Questions
How far in advance should I open reservations?
4-6 weeks minimum. Popular restaurants fill up quickly. VIP early access drives loyalty member signups.
What's the best brunch format for Mother's Day?
Prix fixe or buffet works best for efficiency. À la carte creates kitchen bottlenecks with high volume.
How do I handle large party requests?
Create semi-private areas for families of 8+. Require deposits for large parties to prevent no-shows.
Should I raise prices for Mother's Day?
Yes, 10-20% premium is expected and accepted. Focus on value perception with inclusive packages.
Related Seasonal Guides
Make Every Mom Feel Special
RestauNax streamlines reservations, pre-orders, and gift card sales so you can focus on creating memorable moments.