Summer’s in full swing—your patio’s buzzing, drinks are flowing, and customers are loving the sunny dining vibe. And the best part? This seasonal energy creates the perfect opportunity to build lasting connections that keep customers coming back, no matter the time of year.
With the right loyalty tools and data strategy, you can easily turn those summer diners into year-round regulars.
Let’s explore how to harness your summer momentum and get set up for your most successful off-season yet.
Patios are a powerful way to attract new faces—casual visitors, friend groups, and first-time customers. In fact, 54% of people say they’re more likely to choose a restaurant with outdoor dining.
Patio guests give you the perfect chance to turn a great seasonal visit into year-round loyalty. By capturing their contact info, you can stay connected long after patio season ends.
How capturing customer info helps:
So, how can you turn those sunny-day guests into loyal customers who stay connected long after patio season ends? The good news is, with a few smart strategies, you can build on that great first impression and inspire repeat visits—whether guests are dining in, grabbing takeout, or ordering ahead.
Let’s dive into some easy ways to make your patio traffic work for you all year long!
Summer visitors offer more potential than many restaurant owners realize. With the right loyalty system in place, you can turn seasonal guests into repeat customers. Whether you’re in a tourist hub or a college town, every visit is a chance to make your restaurant part of someone’s regular rotation.
Ideas to try:
At checkout or when taking orders, invite customers to join your loyalty program or mailing list in exchange for perks like:
Simple incentives create a win-win and grow your contact list. Want inspiration? Check out these restaurant loyalty programs that are doing it right.
Plus, with DataCandy’s loyalty program, you can easily set up digital punch cards, run referral programs, and offer sign-up incentives—all managed seamlessly in one simple platform.
Want to know which guests are worth re-engaging when the cooler months hit? Or which menu items are driving repeat visits? Your loyalty platform should tell you.
With the right data, you can:
Having this insight gives you a clear roadmap for marketing and ops planning—not just for this year, but for every season ahead.
Gift cards aren’t just a holiday play—they’re one of the most powerful tools for driving revenue and building customer loyalty year-round.
59% of gift cards are never fully redeemed, which means higher profitability for your business with minimal added cost.
And here’s where it gets really exciting: customers who use gift cards don’t just spend the card’s value—on average, they spend up to 500% more than the original gift card amount during their visit. That makes gift cards a win-win: they bring people back and encourage bigger orders. (Editor’s Note: our editor would sooner trek out in snow and -20C than let her $10 promo card go to waste).
When you combine gift card sales with smart promotions, you create immediate revenue plus guaranteed future visits during slower seasons.
Effective gift card promotions to try:
Pro tip: With DataCandy’s integrated gift card and loyalty tools, it’s easy to track both redemptions and earned bonuses, send reminders, and create limited-time campaigns that fit your seasonal strategy. You can learn more in our guide to restaurant gift card programs.
Once the weather turns, guests are more likely to order in. But that doesn’t mean you lose your connection. With the right CRM and segmentation tools, you can tailor your fall campaigns to feel just as personal as a patio chat.
Examples of personalization you could offer to loyalty members:
Restaurants that personalize loyalty emails see a 29% higher open rate and a 41% higher click-through rate.
It’s worth repeating, so we’ll say it again: restaurants that personalize loyalty emails see a 29% higher open rate and a 41% higher click-through rate.
Use DataCandy’s built-in insights to:
By making your fall communications personal and relevant, you keep your guests excited and engaged long after patio season ends.
Summer guests are already fans—capitalize on that goodwill to create buzz and excitement for your upcoming fall offerings. This is your chance to keep customers engaged and eager to return, even before the leaves start to change.
How to build anticipation for the next season:
By planting the seeds now, you turn summer enthusiasm into sustained fall momentum, keeping your brand top of mind all season long.
Don’t assume everyone knows how easy it is to get your food without dining in. Around 31% of Canadians order takeout or delivery at least once a week—that’s a big chunk of restaurant sales! People love takeout because it’s convenient, but high delivery fees can turn them off.
Here’s how to promote your pick-up and delivery options:
By making it super easy to order, you’ll keep customers coming back even when they’re not dining on the patio.
Patio season can be just the beginning of your year-round success. With a few smart strategies, you can strengthen customer relationships and drive pick-up sales well into the cooler months.
Gather feedback through quick questions, reviews, or short surveys—small actions that help you fine-tune what keeps customers coming back.
Think of patio season as a powerful launchpad—a perfect opportunity to connect with new guests, gather valuable insights, and build loyalty that keeps paying off long after the outdoor tables are stored away.
If you’re ready to take your loyalty and customer communication to the next level, tools like DataCandy make it simple to manage rewards, automate marketing, and track your results—all in one place.