No matter which football team you're rooting for this year, there’s one thing everyone can agree on: Game Day parties are all about the snacks. Without the tasty food and drinks, it’s just another Sunday.
It’s time for restaurants to create a game plan to help football-watching customers serve up a delicious party.
Game Day menu MVPs
Do you have one of these MVPs on your menu already? The five most popular items ordered on DoorDash for Game Day in 2023 were:
Sandwiches. The best invention since sliced bread… literally. Portable, easy to eat with one hand, and minimal cleanup required.
Pizza. Is there any top 5 list that pizza isn’t on? DoorDash customers love pizza, and we don’t blame them — pepperoni, mushroom, or just plain cheese with a few red pepper flakes. Pizza is easily shareable and customizable, so everyone gets what they want while watching the Big Game.
French Fries. No surprise there — fries go well with everything. From burgers to wings to sandwiches and everything in between, fries are a Game Day staple for customers.
Chicken Wings. Wings are synonymous with Game Day, and with all the tasty sauce options and combinations, there's something for everyone. Score points with your takeout customers by including extra napkins or moist towelettes.
Cheeseburgers. Always a staple for football games, this handheld item is easy to customize when ordering for groups.
Other popular items include burgers, tacos, burritos, chips, and desserts like ice cream and cookies. The top five categories ordered in 2023 were:
American
Mexican
Chicken
Convenience / Grocery
Coffee / Breakfast
Win big with Big Game promotions
Limited-time restaurant promotions are a great way to encourage customers to include you in their plans for watching the Big Game. Here are a few ideas to inform your Game Day marketing strategy:
Game Day menu specials
Consider adding a new or limited-time item to your menu for the Big Game — a catchy name will help attract attention.
How about offering a special themed package? You could include:
Foods that are popular in the competing teams' hometowns
Football-themed menu items (e.g. Endzone Enchiladas, Two Point Conversion Nachos, Midfield Mozzarella Sticks, Quarterback Queso, Fair Catch Fries, Red Zone Ranch)
A shareable platter of your most popular finger foods or guacamole and chips
Flights of beer or specialty cocktails. Check your city's alcohol regulations, then sign up to offer alcohol delivery on DoorDash.
Giveaways
Use social media to run fun, interactive giveaways, like:
Virtual sweepstakes or contests
Big Game Bingo or Touchdown Trivia
Encourage customers to share your content on their social media channels as a way to enter. Prizes can include free menu items, gift cards, merch, and more. (Reminder: You’re responsible for compliance with any applicable rules and regulations governing giveaways).
Game Day discounts
DoorDash partners can choose from a variety of Promotions, including:
Discounts on specific items, like Game Day favorites and dishes made to share
Discounts on cart minimums, encouraging customers to order an extra dish or two
Sponsored listings so your restaurant is prominently featured in the DoorDash app.
We’re rooting for you
Whether it's promoting a popular menu item, adding special Game Day offerings, running a giveaway, or offering discounts, there are plenty of ways restaurants can engage with takeout customers around Game Day.
With a suite of customizable solutions for your unique needs, DoorDash has the tools to help you grow your business — and not just on Game Day. Sign up for DoorDash today.
*Based on DoorDash data on Game Day, February 12, 2023.
