Valentine’s Day isn’t just about fine dining. More couples (and singles) than ever are ditching overcrowded restaurants in favour of a cosy, stress-free meal at home. That’s where your brand comes in. With the right strategy, your takeaway or QSR can capitalise on one of the biggest food delivery nights of the year.
From high-impact promotions to social media buzz, here’s how to turn 14th February into a record-breaking revenue day.
1. Curate a Valentine’s-Exclusive Menu
Why? A limited-time menu creates excitement and urgency, making your brand the go-to choice for date night.
Ideas:
- "Perfect Pair" Meal Deals – Think 2-for-1 mains, sharing platters, or a set menu for two.
- Heart-Shaped Foods – An easy win: pizzas, sushi rolls, pancakes, even burgers.
- Elevated Comfort Food – Think truffle fries, premium proteins, indulgent dipping sauces. Customers will be more likely to splurge for special occasions.
- Love-Themed Desserts – Red velvet everything, chocolate-dipped strawberries, mini "bite-sized love" cheesecakes.
💡 Takeaway Tip: Keep your Valentine’s menu short, sweet, and operationally efficient. Too many SKUs can slow down service.
2. Use Social Media to Drive Pre-Orders
Why? Most customers plan their Valentine’s meal days in advance—so should your marketing.
Strategies:
- Instagram Worthy Food Drops – Post high-quality images of your Valentine’s menu with a countdown to launch.
- Giveaways & Contests – "Tag your Valentine for a chance to win a free date night meal!"
- Behind the Scenes Reels – Showcase food prep, packaging, and food shots.
- Engagement Polls & Q&A – "What’s your perfect Valentine’s meal? A) Pizza & wings B) Burgers & Chips C) Dessert first!"
- User-Generated Content (UGC) – Repost customers enjoying your food at home for extra credibility. (or create yourself at home for authentic images)
💡 Takeaway Tip: Use time-sensitive Stories and Reels to create FOMO and orders.
3. Maximise Sales with Smart Offers & Upsells
Why? Valentine’s customers are ready to spend more—bundle, cross-sell, and upsell to increase order value.
Revenue-Boosting Tactics:
- Collection Only promotions – Reward collection orders with a exclusive offer or add-on.
- Premium Add-Ons – Wine, luxury sauces, extra toppings, upgraded proteins.
- Loyalty Perks – Double points for Valentine’s orders to drive repeat business.
- "Love at First Bite" Upsell Prompt – Add a small love-themed dessert or drink at checkout.
💡 Takeaway Tip: Bundle meal kits with romantic extras like a candles, a card or chocolates for a premium touch.
4. Optimise for Peak Delivery & Collection Efficiency
Why? Valentine’s is one of the busiest nights for food delivery, and long wait times = lost sales.
Action Plan:
- Dedicated Collection Zones – Reduce congestion by setting up a separate area for online orders.
- Pre-Pack Essentials – Sides, desserts, and drinks should be ready to go for faster fulfilment.
- Live Order Tracking – Enable real-time tracking or app notifications so customers know when food is on the way.
- Additional Drivers - Ensure any new drivers are set up and trained before store open to avoid delays.
💡 Takeaway Tip: Pre-prep as much as possible to avoid last minute work which can add significant delays on the night.
5. Capture the "Singles" & "Anti-Valentine’s" Market
Not everyone is into candlelit dinners. Tap into singles, Galentine’s, and even breakups with creative, alternative campaigns.
- Galentine’s Day Group Orders – Special discounts for friends ordering together (13th Feb)
- "Self-Love" Comfort Food Packs – Feature big portions, indulgent flavours, and a fun name like ‘Treat Yourself Box.’
- Spicy & Bitter Specials – "Extra spicy wings for your ex" or a 'Bitter Dark Chocolate Sundae' for a laugh.
- "Forget Love, Eat Fries" Promo – A limited-time menu for those avoiding the holiday.
💡 Takeaway Tip: Have a think of something punny. The fun, viral-style offers boost engagement and will make your brand stand out.
6. Email, Push, SMS Campaigns That Convert
Don’t just rely on social media—direct messaging drives action.
- "Early Love" Email Campaign – "Plan your romantic dinner now & relax for Valentines!"
- Last-Minute SMS Blast – "Forgot to plan Valentine’s? We’ve got you covered—order now for delivery!"
- VIP-Only Perks – Send regular customers exclusive discounts on your Valentine’s menu.
💡 Takeaway Tip: Time your messages strategically—schedule emails a week before, pushes the week of and then send reminder texts on 13th-14th Feb.
7. Elevate Packaging & Presentation
A great meal deserves a great unboxing experience—especially on Valentine’s.
- Themed Takeaway Packaging – Use branded pink, red, or gold accents for a premium feel.
- Small Romantic Extras – Throw in a mini rose, heart-shaped napkin, or handwritten note.
- Free Sweet Treat – Even a small piece of chocolate adds a thoughtful touch.
💡 Takeaway Tip: Encourage customers to share their meal setup on Instagram for social proof & organic promotion.
Ready to streamline your Valentine’s Day operations?
If you’re looking for AI-powered order automation, delivery tracking, or Marketing solutions, we can help. Want more QSR growth insights? Let’s chat. 💬