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
According to a recent DoorDash survey*, 45% of US adult football fans always or usually eat appetizers or snacks while watching the game. Among these fans, the five most popular game day "guilty pleasure" snacks are:
Chicken wings - 32%
Chips and dip - 16%
Nachos - 16%
Mozzarella sticks - 9%
Loaded potatoes - 7%
For those who want to stay healthy-ish on game days, 69% of fans said they turn to popcorn as a healthy snack, followed by guacamole with whole grain chips (50%).
If you're looking to attract football fans, be sure to offer these items on your delivery menu.
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.
To get a piece of this pie, restaurant operators can make football season work to their advantage — and that starts with brainstorming football promo ideas.
Now available: Get your promotion boosted for Fall Football
Running a promotion on DoorDash can be a great way to generate more sales. In 2024, DoorDash is helping to make certain promotions even more fruitful during football season.
To help you reach more customers and get more orders from sports fans, DoorDash is increasing the value of Discount for All Customers promotions during football season. That means if you’re running a Discount for All promotion between August 29-November 18, DoorDash will increase its value by up to 25% on Saturdays and Sundays — at no additional cost to you (e.g., a Spend $30, Get $8 promo can become Spend $30, Get $10).
On average, stores running promotions see up to a 20% boost in sales.** Don’t miss out on this opportunity to attract new customers and drive sales this football season.
How to participate:
Set up a Discount for All Customers promotion before November 1
Make sure your promotion is live at some point during August 29-November 18
You’ll automatically get the value boost of up to 25% once the promotion is live
Plus, to give you extra visibility, your promotion will be featured in our Fall Football homepage carousel and Offers hub on these weekends.
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.
*Survey methodology: Surveyed 1,083 respondents from February 23-24, 2024 who say they actively watch or track NFL activity and have a routine while watching NFL games.
**Based on DoorDash data on Game Day, February 12, 2023.
