How Local Events Can Turn into Business Opportunities: A Consistent Strategy from Limited-Time Menu Planning to SNS Marketing for Restaurants

Tools Used

• Sensei AI - Restaurant
• Product/Menu Development Planner
• SNS Operation Strategy Planner

Creating Event-Limited Menus and SNS Strategies with AI

Periods when local events or festivals take place are significant opportunities for restaurants to acquire new customers and increase repeat visits. However, many restaurants may not be fully capitalizing on this opportunity due to issues such as, "I can't come up with ideas for limited-time menus aligned with the event," "It's difficult to develop the optimal menu based on the theme," or "I don't know how to promote them effectively."

This article introduces specific methods using three AI tools to efficiently generate creative collaboration menu ideas that align with local appeal and event themes, and to formulate effective, data-driven SNS promotion strategies.

Specific Steps

Step 1: Create Collaboration Ideas with Local Events × AI

▶︎ Sensei AI - Restaurant

First, consult with "Sensei AI - Restaurant" by providing information such as the local event details, the restaurant's concept, and the target demographic, to receive advice on collaboration menu ideas and promotional direction.

Based on the input information, Sensei AI will suggest menu ideas highly compatible with the event and provide promotional hints that resonate with the target audience. Save this advice from the AI in a "Clip" for use in the next step.

Step 2: Solidify the Limited-Time Menu with AI

▶︎ Product/Menu Development Planner

Based on the advice obtained from Sensei AI in Step 1 and your restaurant's strengths, use the "Product/Menu Development Planner" to input the specific details of the limited-time menu linked to the local event.

Based on the information you input, the AI will propose concepts for the limited-time menu, specific recipe ideas, selling points, and appropriate pricing.

Use the output menu proposals as a basis, consider your company's resources and ingredient procurement status, and make a final decision on a menu that is realistically feasible to offer. Save the decided menu plan in a "Clip" as well.

Step 3: Formulate an Effective PR Strategy

▶︎ Add Mission
▶︎ SNS Operation Strategy Planner

To maximize the appeal of the menu finalized in Step 2, first register the foundational information for promotional activities as a "Mission," and then use the "SNS Operation Strategy Planner" to formulate an effective PR strategy.

3-1. Adding the Mission

Add a "Mission" as the prerequisite information for effectively promoting the limited-time menu in collaboration with the local event.

3-2. Creating the SNS Information Dissemination Plan

Next, input the specified items into the "SNS Operation Strategy Planner" to create the information dissemination plan.

• Set the operation period from about one month before the "Autumn Harvest Festival" begins until the final day.
• If you have an advertising budget or campaign details, input them additionally as necessary.

Clicking "Create" will output an analysis of what content to post, when, and how, to reach the target audience most effectively.

If there is an advertising budget, you will also receive advice on budget allocation and target settings.

By formulating the posting schedule for the period in advance and executing it as planned, you can not only boost customer attraction during the event but also heighten anticipation for the limited-time menu.

Step 4: Execute Planning and Promotion, and Measure Results

Execute the promotion of the event-linked limited-time menu based on the SNS operation strategy formulated in Step 3. Disseminate information from multiple angles, including SNS posts, in-store announcements, and collaboration at the event venue.

During the promotion period and the limited-time menu offering, regularly check sales data, SNS responses, and customer feedback to measure effectiveness.

This data will be used to improve future menu development and promotion strategies. By doing so, you maximize the synergy between customer attraction and local revitalization, enhancing the restaurant's brand value.

Expected Outcomes from Utilization (Example)

• Improved Customer Attraction and Sales
  Synergistic effects from collaboration with local events and strategic promotion lead to acquiring new customers and boosting sales during the period.
• Community Contribution and Brand Value Enhancement
  Contribution to the local event raises your restaurant's social value, reinforcing customer trust and brand image.
• Wider Range of Ideas
  The AI provides ideas from multiple perspectives, allowing you to consistently plan fresh and appealing limited-time menus.
• Optimized SNS Operation
  The AI formulates the dissemination strategy after analyzing the selling points that resonate with the target audience, maximizing customer attraction effects.

Target Figures During the Event Period (Reference Example)

KGI:

• Total sales of the collaboration menu during the event period: Target achievement of ¥300,000

KPIs:

• Number of collaboration menus sold: Target achievement of 150 meals
• Average engagement rate of SNS posts related to the collaboration menu: 8% or higher
• Number of new customers acquired from event attendees: Target 15 groups or more