Summer food trends: 10 tips to maximize your appeal!

After a particularly gloomy and rainy start to June, the weather is set to improve over the coming weeks. And that's good news! With the summer vacations just around the corner, many French people and tourists will be coming to your establishment for a meal and/or a drink.

Follow Malou's ten-step recipe for maximum visibility and appeal this summer season.

1) Coordinate your calendar with major summer events

Summer is a great time for events and outings. Take the time to find out what promises to energize our sweet France! The soccer World Cup is the perfect opportunity to attract customers to your establishment. In fact, Malou has devoted an article to all the tips you need to follow to develop your appeal during this sporting month. Depending on your restaurant, select the events that seem most relevant to you.July 14th, the Tour de France and Ferias are just some of the events you can capitalize on. The festive season is underway, so make the most of it!

2) If you have a terrace, make the most of it

Terrace seating is expensive for both owners and customers. If you're lucky enough to have one, maximize its visibility. Every year, articles about the best terraces to visit in summer flourish, and are relayed in the media and on networks. Here's a way to make yourself more visible and, above all, more attractive!

A terrace is a great asset for sunbathing during the day or enjoying the cool summer evenings. Don't hesitate to emphasize how lucky you are, take a photo of it and post it on the social mediaLike Jaja, a chic urban bistro in the heart of the Marais district, which posted a video on Instagram to celebrate the opening of its terrace!

3) Theme your terrace and create a special atmosphere

It's great to have a terrace, but it's even better to accentuate its special features:the media regularly feature great places to dine or have a drink, so make sure you appear in their recommendations! Most of the time, these guides present their selections by theme: the most dizzying, the most intimate, the most Dolce Vita... Developing a terrace with a targeted atmosphere helps you position yourself in customers' minds. Anita's pizza, for example, has made this a key point of its communication, and rightly so. This garlanded terrace has a bucolic look that delights customers and passers-by alike. It's up to you! Give your terrace the image you want.

4) Adapt your menu to the season

A menu for every season! It's high time to offer your customers more summery menus based on fresh produce. Highlight your new menu to assure your customers of the freshness of what you offer. This will emphasize your interest in seasonal products, at a time whenthe French want to eat healthily and in a sustainable way.s want to eat healthily and in a more environmentally-friendly way. Although a popular star product, butternut squash in the middle of summer is a thing of the past! Keep in mind that adapting to seasonality is a guarantee of authenticity and confidence for customers.

5) Keep up with the latest healthy trends!

Trends evolve every year, so be on the lookout for what's working today. social media and Instagram are excellent barometers of upcoming trends. Don't hesitate to check them out in advance to see what's hot on the web. Bowls, for example, are perfect for summer and very healthy. Buddha bowls and poke bowls, for example, are very popular on Instagram and much appreciated on hot days. Another alternative is toast, which is easy to make and can be added to your summer menu.

6) If you serve cocktails, make them the drink of the summer!

Cocktails are very much in vogue, so if you're offering them on your menu, make sure you highlight them! They have the advantage of being infinitely versatile, so there's something for everyone! Malou is preparing an article on cocktails for you very soon! Don't hesitate to highlight them on your menu, giving themlittle names that will catch your customers' eye. Some bars even offer their customers the chance to become shaker pros and learn on the spot how to make their own drink.

7) During the day, opt for fresh juices and thirst-quenching snacks

Hot summer days are the perfect time to reintroduce fresh, homemade juices and smoothies to your menu. Be daring and propose flavor combinations that will please and amaze. And don't forget the star of summer: ice cream! It's always a good idea to sit on a terrace and enjoy an icy treat. For the health-conscious, you can also offer sorbets, which are lower in calories but just as enjoyable. This way, you'll fill your establishment in the middle of the day and boost your appeal in the neighborhood!

8) Deploy the afterwork option for those who work in the summer but want to make the most of it!

Not everyone goes on vacation during the summer season, so don't forget them! So propose a happy hour afterwork offer to allow those just out of the office to unwind. If your terrace is pleasant and well-appointed, there's a good chance that the customer's experience will extend to dinner, and you've got everything to gain.

9) Why not have brunch several times a week?

Typical weekend, brunch is adored by the French. Restaurants, cafés and hotels offering this option are numerous! Often overcrowded on Saturdays and Sundays, it's hard to get a table without a reservation.

Think about the brunch option during the week, so that those who didn't get to brunch at the weekend can make up for it. For holidaymakers, it's also a chance to sleep in before going out to eat.

10) Communicate your offer on social media !

Above all, don't forget to communicate on all these offers. Interactive channels are a great way to increase awareness and visibility, so don't miss out! Let your customers know what's on offer this summer with targeted targeted posts on Facebook and Instagram. Also post photos to inspire your customers to come and have lunch at your place, or dinner after work. For maximum interaction with them, don't hesitate to do Instagram stories, which are very fashionable right now. They're a great way to promote your business. Publishing on different networks allows you to diversify your targets and reach a wider audience. But for this to work, you need to keep the same editorial line across all your networks. Remain coherent by keeping a central thread that runs through all your different channels. For more detailed advice on how to use social media, don't hesitate to read Malou's article specifically on Instagram and the one dedicated to Facebook.Finally, bear in mind that these summer periods are often intense and sometimes require more staff than the rest of the year. If this is the case for you, but you haven't planned ahead, don't hesitate to call on temporary staffing solutions specialized in the catering industry.The fine weather is just around the corner, so get a head start and seize the many opportunities that the season brings! Don't hesitate to contact us if you have any questions!