Five tips to make the most out of the Thanksgiving eve surge

Stack of pizza boxes on top of a pizzeria booth table

Thanksgiving Eve (aka Friendsgiving) is one of the best nights of the year to be a pizza shop owner. Across thousands of pizzerias on the Slice platform, the day sees a 68% increase in order volume. 68%!

Why?

Hometown nostalgia — everyone’s back in town, meeting up with old friends, and making new memories. They’re craving familiar, shareable food. They’re craving PIZZA. 

Here’s 5 tips to take advantage of the Thanksgiving holiday surge.

1. Adjust Your Hours for Peak Demand

Consider staying open later on Thanksgiving Eve — it could be one of your highest-grossing nights of the year.

People are out later, catching up, and they’re hungry for that classic hometown pizza.

And don’t overlook Black Friday. Thanksgiving day may be slower, but the day after often brings in groups needing a quick, delicious bite between shopping.

Pro Tip: Making these adjustments is easy through your Slice Owner’s Portal. A few clicks, and you’re set to make the most of Thanksgiving week.

2. Make Sure You’re Fully Staffed and Ready to Roll

Schedule ahead and ensure you’re staffed up with a team ready to handle the rush. 

Nothing ruins a Thanksgiving Eve buzz faster than long wait times, so having a solid crew will help keep orders smooth, customers happy, and operations running without a hitch.

Pro Tip: Let your team know the importance of this night and prepare them with incentives, whether it’s a meal on-the-house or a little extra boost in pay. 

3. Let Your Customers Know You’re Ready for the Thanksgiving Eve Rush

Send out a quick text or email blast to your loyal customers, letting them know:

  • Your hours on Thanksgiving Eve and Black Friday

  • Any catering deals or group specials you’re offering

  • Encouragement to order early or schedule pickup and delivery

Communication is key, especially when order volume is set to spike by 68% the night before Thanksgiving!

4. Offer Catering Options for Friendsgiving Gatherings

With Friendsgiving on the rise, many groups are swapping out the traditional turkey spread for something easier to share and enjoy — pizza.

This is the perfect opportunity to highlight your catering options. 

Consider offering:

  • Party-sized sheet pizzas or large family meal deals

  • Mix-and-match pizzas with crowd-favorite sides

  • Customizable packages to fit every group’s unique tastes

5. Prepare for the Thanksgiving Eve Spike (It’s Real!)

Here’s the data: Thanksgiving Eve sees a 68% increase in order volume, more than enough to offset any quieter sales on Thanksgiving Day and the day after. 

Stock up, make sure the team is prepped, and don’t be surprised if your shop is one of the busiest places in town that night!

Like Superbowl, Halloween, or Fourth of July, Thanksgiving eve is another opportunity for your shop to have a big day. Taking advantage of the tips above gives your pizzeria the best shot at a successful night. 

From all of us at Slice, we wish you best of luck this Thanksgiving.

 
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