Dmytro is the CEO and founder of Solvid, Pridicto and Coinprompter. His work has been published in U.S. News, Forbes, New York Post, The Independent, Entrepreneur and TechRadar.

5 Ways To Use POS Data To Forecast Holiday Demand For Your Restaurant

The holiday season is a huge calendar event in the restaurant industry, with bookings booming as guests look to let their hair down and enjoy a festive feast.

Over the Christmas season, 63% of adults plan to eat out so your restaurant needs to be prepared for the increase in demand. Utilizing insights from your POS data will help you make informed decisions that predict how demand will look in the lead up to the big day.

In this article, we delve into five key ways that you should be using your POS data to forecast holiday demand for your restaurant.

Analyze Previous Holiday Sales Data

Past sales data is invaluable when it comes to planning the upcoming season. A restaurant point-of-sale system holds historical data so you can see a detailed breakdown of how your restaurant sales performed during previous Christmas seasons.

By comparing the data from previous years with the current year-to-date sales, you can predict how your festive season will look and gain a better idea of what to expect.

As well as looking into the overall season, you can use previous sales data to break stats down by time of the day and day of the week to identify common peaks and troughs. For example, you may notice your restaurant is particularly busy on weekends immediately before the big day, allowing you to best prepare for the rush.

Improve Seasonal Menu Offerings

When it comes to the holidays, consumers love to tuck into festive favorites. It’s the perfect season for experimenting with new menu items that align with previous seasonal trends.

Delve into previous POS data to see which dishes your customers were steering towards during the lead up to Christmas. Whether it was your signature menu items, seasonal specials, or a festive holiday cocktail that puts a new spin on a classic, tailoring your menu can grab the attention of those looking to try something new.

By utilizing the data available from your POS system, you can figure out what dishes were most popular during holiday seasons and use this to chef up a storm.