Malaysia gained its independence on August 31st, 1957. Ever since then, this day holds a significance in all Malaysians’ lives.don’t you want to celebrate this day in your restaurant? Don’t you want to make your restaurant friendly for customers who choose your restaurant to celebrate this day? Use this golden opportunity to cater to customers having a patriotic spirit. In this blog, we will discuss how you can promote your restaurant during Merdeka Day and share 2 real-life examples of restaurants that successfully boosted their sales during this festive period.

Why Is Merdeka Day Important for Your Restaurant?

A lot of people are soaked in the patriotic feel on this day and for some people, it’s a holiday. Both of them are relevant to us! Because both of them just want to celebrate! People with patriotic feelings and people wanting to celebrate this holiday in a restaurant, where they can chill and eat is the first thing that comes to their minds. You shouldn’t miss out on this opportunity. 

According to a survey by HubSpot, 80% of customers are more likely to return to a restaurant that offers promotions during special occasions like Merdeka Day. Offering promotions can help you build customer loyalty and encourage repeat business.

Whether it’s a discount on food and drinks, a special Merdeka Day menu, or a themed event, there are many ways you can celebrate this day with your customers.

1. Offer Special Merdeka Day Promotions

Pay Tribute to the Malaysian Economy by trying to increase the sales of your restaurant! You can have special promotions for this occasion. Coupons like ‘Buy 1 get 1’, ‘ Flat % discounts’, etc can influence your customers to buy more. This can encourage them to dine at your restaurant instead of your neighbors’. A lot of native and international customers of F & B brands do this. Why shouldn’t you?

Example 1: Nando’s Malaysia

Nando’s Malaysia in 2023, introduced a coupon where they announced a free whole chicken worth RM 63.90 with a minimum order of RM 100. This was valid for only dine-in meals. According to a survey by Nielsen, 60% of Malaysians like to dine out during Merdeka Day, and 40% of them are attracted to Merdeka Day offers. You can increase your restaurant’s sales by up to 30% by having special offers during this time. 

2. Create a Special Merdeka Day Menu

Another way to promote your restaurant during Merdeka Day is by having a unique menu. A lot of restaurants introduce special menu items, particularly for this occasion. You can also have something like this in your restaurant. You can highlight traditional Malaysian dishes in your menu to celebrate the rich cultural heritage of the country. You can also have dishes made only from those ingredients that are sourced from Malaysia. (Remember no vegetables from other countries :P). Come on! you can give your chefs this interesting challenge and put their culinary skills to the test. 

Example 2: Madam Kwan’s – Special Merdeka Day Menu

Madam Kwans in 2023 launched a desert specially to celebrate Merdeka Day. The dish was called Snowy Teh Tarik, a refreshing dessert made from special Malaysian Shaved milk Tea. This highlighted the rich cultural heritage of Malaysia. Many customers praised the unique menu on social media. A study by Statista found that 70% of Malaysians use social media to discover promotions and deals during festive seasons. Promoting your Merdeka Day offers on social media can help you reach a wider audience and attract more customers.

3. Host Merdeka Day Events

Hosting a Merdeka Day event at your restaurant can be a great way to attract customers and create a festive atmosphere. You can telecast the live Merdeka Day Parade at your restaurant and offer delicious food to people who have come to your restaurant for breakfast. Later in the evening, you could organize a live band, cultural performances, or even a Merdeka Day quiz. Events like this can draw in customers who want to celebrate the day with their loved ones and enjoy some entertainment.

Tips to Promote Merdeka Day Offers

Here are some tips to help you promote your Merdeka Day offers effectively:

1. Use Social Media: Promote your offers on platforms like Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok. Use relevant hashtags like #MerdekaDay, #MalaysiaIndependenceDay, and #CelebrateMalaysia to reach a wider audience.
2. Collaborate with Influencers: Partner with local influencers who can promote your offers to their followers. This can help you reach a larger audience and attract more customers.
3. Offer Early Bird Promotions: Encourage customers to make reservations or place orders early by offering early bird promotions. This can help you manage your inventory and reduce wastage.
4. Create a Sense of Urgency: Use phrases like “Limited Time Offer” or “Only Available on Merdeka Day” to create a sense of urgency and encourage customers to take advantage of your promotions.
5. Engage with Your Customers: Respond to customer inquiries and feedback on social media. Engaging with your customers can help you build a positive relationship and encourage them to visit your restaurant.

You would have understood how to keep the festive spirit alive in your restaurant very well by now! Now it’s time to apply all these tips in your restaurant to give your customers the patriotic feeling that they crave. The first thing that you should do is give your customers offers that they can’t refuse. Using EasyEat you can create up to 7 different types of coupons. Secondly, you should introduce special menu items like how the restaurant that you read above did. The final thing that you should do is host Merdeka themed events. These are some of the ideas that you can use in your restaurant to keep the Merdeka Spirit alive!