A big thing to consider is not to take these findings at face value. They minute they're gone, IT'S PARTY TIME!!!! I didn't get my items until a week and a half later. Maybe they're just taking a well deserved vacay. It might seem really risky but it really does help improve the number of customers dining at restaurants. Conventional wisdom still holds that August is one of the slowest—if not the slowest—months for District restaurants. It's no coincidence Olive Garden decided to offer up endless buckets of pasta in September. The Formula for Net Sales in a Restaurant, Customer Service Issues in the Restaurant Industry, How to Develop a Marketing Strategy for a Restaurant, Ahwatukee Foothills News: Restaurants Evolve During Slow Summer Months, Eater NY: The Two Month Restaurant Slow Down Begins...Now, Seasonal Factors Affecting the Restaurant Industry. What Months Are Good to Open a Seasonal Seafood Restaurant? For example, alcohol usually gives better margins than food. Higuera primarily works as a personal finance, travel and medical writer. Coming up with promotions which are limited to your off-peak days, say Monday to Thursday, is a great way to incentivise visits during those times. A slow season can be caused by a number of different factors, according to the location of your restaurant. Whether its waitstaff, chefs, hostesses or even yourself, you all need to be protected from slips, trips and falls, which are the most common workplace injury in the UK. I'm just curious what the thoughts are on what the busiest month in Negril is and what the slowest month is and how these months would compare. So, you could create parent and child events on those slow days such as a mother and baby brunch, a toddler cake-eating afternoon event or anything similar to get that demographic through your door. I've heard of this happening before when the owners had a family emergency. Do your own research and trust yourself. Business in the restaurant industry can fluctuate. Author has 2.5K answers and 873.5K answer views Sunday’s are the slowest days for restaurants. Some restaurant owners anticipate a drop in sales during the winter months and exhaust their marketing efforts during the busy season to compensate. However, owners can take steps to increase restaurant business and sales during the slow season. Businessweek reports that September is the worst month for casual dining: "The restaurant … Consider the type of people you do get visiting your restaurant in non-peak times and target them with events. January for beach balls and sun screen. I am really hoping they are taking a vacation...think positive, huh?!!! What's your opinion of the National VICE Presidential debate  between Pence and Harris . After all the holiday revelling, January is traditionally the slowest month in the restaurant business, so it would be the best time to close and take a month off. For the restaurant industry as a whole, April through August are the busiest months. Tourism and events such as festivals and parades also increase restaurant traffic. I'd guess March is the busiest month and am thinking maybe September is the slowest . Well- no remodeling as of yet- windows are wide open and my favorite sammie place is quiet. Maybe they're just taking a well deserved vacay. Your location is an important factor in determining your busiest periods, however. Yeah like many others said it can be done to vacation and most often for remodeling. Make sure to provide customers with wonderful service and high-quality food, because if you don’t, there’s plenty of other restaurants that will. Every month except December. That way, you can enjoy the earnings from your peak times and not funnel those funds into unneeded off-peak operations. And, of course, the summer holiday is usually a big expenditure for families, whether through time off work, paying for childcare providers or going on trips. For the restaurant industry as a whole, April through August are the busiest months. Too much money and don't care if they make more   2. So, you need to find ways to reduce expenditure during your restaurant's slow periods. Some restaurants close one or both of these days. It may cost more to keep the restaurant open than is offset by money taken in. I’ve known people who work winter months in Colorado or the Bahamas (technically the US) and then travel to Alaska or New England during the summer months. Look at historic earnings for your off-peak times. I've heard of several small buisness owners doing this, and returning to find a slew of problems and a decimated customer base. Fast-food restaurants are typically busiest at lunchtime. Some restaurant owners anticipate a drop in sales during the winter months and exhaust their marketing efforts during the busy season to compensate. Business day’s are your normal days where you consistently make money, as people are very consistent on where they eat during the weekday. In addition to daily specials, some restaurants successfully use limited-time offers, loyalty programs and promotions to increase traffic flow on slow days. During peak days and times, restaurateurs may not have trouble attracting enough patrons, but boosting sales during off-peak times can be challenging. The Slowest Time of Year for the Restaurant Industry. Download for free now! However, some establishments see a boost in sales as businesses throw big annual holiday parties and some diners choose to take the family out for a special holiday celebration. Work out your costs for that time and try to reduce the costs to the point that you're breaking even at least, if not cash positive. By contrast, a restaurant that offers quick delivery may experience a constant flow of business because customers are able to order by phone or online and have meals delivered to their homes. So, let's say the busiest month is considered 100%, what would the slowest be? Each restaurant is different as their context is unique - location, menu, price and customers etc. Here's the scoop- Yesterday, my man & I went to a local sandwich shop and there was a sign on the door that read "Closed for January" Our first thought is that the Health Dept. maybe they have a sick relative or need to have something like carpal tunnel surgery. More people are out and about during good weather, including both locals and visitors, which is why April through August are generally the busiest months for restauranteurs.