Slow days (or months)? Every restaurant has them. Whether it's a string of quiet afternoons or a full-on seasonal slump, off-peak periods come with the territory.
But what if those quiet times were actually a hidden growth opportunity?
From getting more out of breakfast, lunch, and late-night shifts to fine-tuning your menu, operations, and marketing, we're sharing what to do when your restaurant is slow to help your business thrive year-round.
What causes slow times for restaurants?
Before you can increase orders during slow periods, it helps to understand the why. Restaurant slowdowns can be caused by a mix of timing, trends, and outside forces — some you can predict, and others you just have to be ready for:
Time of day
In the restaurant biz, not all hours are created equal. Weekday breakfasts, mid-afternoons, and late-night shifts naturally draw fewer diners.
Seasonal trends
The weeks after the holidays or just before school starts can bring a noticeable slowdown, as customers recover from busy schedules or shift their focus to family routines and budgeting.
External factors
Bad weather can keep people off the roads, local construction can limit foot traffic, and disruptions like road closures or transit delays can throw off your usual rhythm.
Local events and competition
A new spot opening down the block or a major event across town can temporarily shift traffic away. Staying plugged into what's happening in your area helps you stay one step ahead.
The good news? No matter the cause, there are plenty of ways to bounce back — and even grow — during slower times.
How to boost sales during breakfast, lunch, and late night
Certain shifts may skew slower. But with a few targeted tactics, growth isn't out of the question.
1. Increase breakfast orders
Breakfast is often an untapped opportunity for restaurants. Even if your in-house traffic is slow, there are still ways to boost sales with delivery. Try these quick wins:
Bundle smart. Offer combos like coffee and a pastry at a value price.
Schedule morning promos. Use DoorDash to run limited-time offers during early hours.
Package for convenience. Make it easy for commuters and remote workers to grab-and-go or order in.
2. How to boost lunch sales
Between busy office workers, hybrid schedules, and on-the-go families, "lunchtime" doesn't look the same for everyone. That's why flexibility and value are key to standing out. Try these strategies to drive more midday orders:
Run BOGO deals. Promote buy-one-get-one offers on crowd-pleasers, like Fiorella's Margherita pizza BOGO, which has generated $135,000 in DoorDash sales since launch.
Encourage group orders. Make it easy for teams or families to order together by offering group meal bundles.
Simplify your lunch menu. Offer a limited-time lunch menu focused on quick prep and fast service to keep operations efficient and customers happy.
3. Late-night delivery promotions
According to our 2025 Delivery Trends Report, Gen Zers are the most likely to decide what to eat at 6 p.m. or later — making late-night delivery promotions an easy boost during restaurant slow season and shifts.
And what do these late-night customers want? Food that's hot, fast, and dependable. This quieter shift can be a big opportunity if you tailor your approach. Here's how to make the most of it:
Offer snack bundles or free delivery after 9 p.m. to attract casual, last-minute orders.
Streamline your menu to focus on bestsellers that are quick to prep and travel well.
Schedule late-night delivery promotions via DoorDash.
Operational moves that support off-peak sales
Sometimes, small behind-the-scenes shifts can lead to big results, especially during slower periods. From staffing to marketing, a few operational tweaks can help you stay efficient, visible, and ready to capture more orders when traffic dips.
Adjust staffing
During quieter shifts, there's no need to overstaff. Consider shorter staffing windows or using the opportunity to cross-train staff on managing multiple roles efficiently. This keeps labor costs lean while still delivering a great customer experience.
Know your tech
The right mix of tools can help make off-peak operations smoother and potentially more profitable.
As a DoorDash merchant, you have the ultimate toolbox at your fingertips. Use the Merchant Portal to manage your menu, run promotions, and track performance. Stay on top of incoming orders with the DoorDash Tablet, or make updates on the go with the Business Manager app. You can even integrate your POS or middleware to keep everything running smoothly behind the scenes.
Market smartly
Strategic off-peak restaurant marketing can help drive awareness and bring customers back. Try tactics like:
Flash deals during slower times to grab attention.
Loyalty perks via DoorDash Store Loyalty to reward repeat customers (with no added fees or commissions).
First-order promotions, like $0 delivery fees, to attract new customers.
Sponsored Listings to boost visibility in the DoorDash app's homepage or top search results.
Push notifications to remind regulars about limited-time offers or daily specials.
Menu optimization strategies that work during slower periods
Menu tweaks aren't just about cutting items — they're about making thoughtful changes that boost margins, drive more orders, and simplify your operations during off-peak times.
It starts with knowing what's working. Inside the DoorDash Merchant Portal, you'll find detailed reports that show which menu items perform best across different times of day — and which ones may be dragging things down.
Once you've got the insights, here's how to increase restaurant sales during slow times:
Bundle and upsell
Pairing high-margin items into value bundles — like a burger, fries, and a drink — is a simple way to boost average order size and increase perceived value.
And bonus: DoorDash automatically suggests add-ons like sides or drinks through the "People also ordered" carousel at checkout. These subtle nudges can lead to larger orders, without adding any extra strain on your kitchen.
Shift-based menus
Create custom menus for different dayparts to match what your customers are looking for. A leaner late-night menu or a breakfast-only list helps reduce prep time while still offering targeted choices that meet customer demand.
Restaurant slow season tips that build long-term loyalty
Staying consistent during restaurant slow season does more than help today — it builds trust that pays off long-term.
Plan ahead
Taking a step back to map out your calendar can help you get ahead of the dips and turn them into strategic moments for outreach.
School schedules. Align promotions with the school year by offering student discounts, family meal bundles, or winter and spring break specials.
Local events or festivals. Tap into national and neighborhood celebrations with themed menus, limited-time offers, or pop-ups. Think: margarita specials for Cinco de Mayo or street food during a local summer market.
Weather patterns. When the weather drives people indoors, meet them there. Promote comfort food, cozy drink bundles, or free delivery through DoorDash to boost at-home orders.
Neighborhood favorites. Run "local favorite" weeks that feature dishes inspired by your community's tastes or cultural events. Pro tip: You can unveil your most popular menu items with DoorDash's real-time analytics and insights.
Use social media and email to stay connected
Consistency in communication builds trust, especially when foot traffic slows. Keep your audience engaged online with:
Behind-the-scenes content or recipe tips
Sneak peeks of new menu items or seasonal drops
Exclusive discounts and offers
Even if they're not ordering today, you're staying in their inbox, on their feed, and in their mind.
