Let the madness begin
March is a month of excitement for sports fans and basketball enthusiasts, which means a huge surge in pizza orders. Group watch parties, casual get-togethers, and spontaneous gatherings all contribute to a busy time for pizza shop owners.
To help you prepare for the rush, our in-house former shop owner, Bruce Irving, created a comprehensive checklist to optimize your operations and maximize your sales. Bruce recommends printing this out so you can keep track of crossing items off the list.
1. Know your peak ordering days and times
March 21 is going to be a big day!
Busiest projected ordering day: Based on industry trends, the busiest day between March 18 - 30 is projected to be Friday, March 21. Be ready for a high volume of orders, and ensure you have enough stock and staff.
Busiest projected weekend: The busiest weekend for orders will likely be March 21- 23, when games are on and group orders spike. Ramp up staffing and be prepared for the demand.
Busiest projected hour: Expect 2PM ET on March 21 to be your busiest hour during the madness. This is when most people settle in front of their TVs, and pizza orders flood in. Be sure to have extra drivers and staff on standby.
2. Optimize your menu for bundle offers
People love pizza bundles during big events. Offering bundle deals can increase your average order size and keep customers satisfied with value deals.
3. Focus on your best-selling items
Check your records from last year to see which menu items were most popular throughout March so you can ensure you have plenty of ingredients in stock and ready to go. Our data shows that last year even more cheese pizzas, sodas and sweet potato fries were ordered.
4. Prepare your staff for increased demand
Ensure your kitchen staff, delivery drivers, and front-line team members are scheduled at peak times. You may need to bring in extra help to handle the surge in orders, especially during the busiest hours.
5. Promote early and often
Get the word out about your special offers well in advance. As the madness approaches, begin advertising your promotions to ensure customers know what to expect. Consider offering early bird specials on game days and promoting any deals on social media.
6. Ensure a seamless online ordering experience
Many customers will prefer to order online for convenience. Make sure your online ordering is easy to navigate, and that your website is prepared for an influx of traffic.
7. Deliver fast and hot
Customers expect fast delivery during high-demand periods. Ensure that your drivers are prepared for the rush and have routes planned for efficiency. You may also want to consider hiring additional delivery staff for the month of March.
By following these tips and preparing ahead of time, you'll be ready to handle the rush like a pro. From bundling deals to understanding your peak times, this checklist will ensure your shop performs at its best during one of the busiest months of the year!
Fun fact: Philadelphia is expected to have the highest number of orders during March. So if you’re a Philadelphia shop, it is time to kick it into overdrive!
