47 Summer Promotion Ideas for Restaurants and C-Stores

Summer draws people outside. The longer days, time off from school, and travel plans lead to more foot traffic, road trips, and spontaneous spending. For restaurants and convenience stores (c-stores), the summer months are a prime time to grab attention, drive sales, and keep guests coming back.  

This guide covers summer promotion ideas that are fun, effective, and easy to implement. Whether you're aiming to boost loyalty, serve more food, or just create some seasonal buzz, these strategies help you make the most of the warm-weather rush.

14 Summer Promotion Ideas to Spark Guest Engagement and Revenue 

When temperatures rise, customers are looking for cold drinks, fast meals, and seasonal excitement. Promotions that tap into these are a great way to connect and sell.  

3 Limited-Time Menu Items That Celebrate the Season 

Summer ingredients practically sell themselves—berries, mangoes, grilled meats, and citrus pair beautifully with the heat. Here are three ideas for limited-time menus: 

1. Add Seasonal Flavors: Think berry smoothies, tropical salads, grilled corn bowls, or mango salsa on tacos. These options evoke the feeling of summer and keep your menu feeling fresh and exciting. 
2. Offer Cool Treats: Frozen yogurt cups, popsicles, iced teas, or fruit slushies work especially well in hot climates. These are impulse-friendly items that appeal to families and solo shoppers alike. 
3. Partner With Local Farms or Suppliers: Highlight local produce or regional ingredients to add a fresh, community-driven touch. This builds goodwill and provides a sense of local pride among guests. 

3 Outdoor and On-the-Go Deals 

With more people hitting the beach, parks, or highways, portability matters. Here are three ideas for outdoor, on-the-go deals:  

1. Bundles Designed for Movement: Pair drinks, snacks, and sandwiches in a discounted combo that’s easy to grab. Guests appreciate grab-and-go convenience during summer outings. 
2. Summer Road Trip Packs: Include car-friendly snacks and a discount code for a future stop. These bundles cater to travelers and encourage repeat visits. 
3. Contactless Pickup: Convenience counts, especially for spontaneous summer shoppers. Make it easy for people to make a quick stop without waiting in line. 

2 Heatwave Happy Hours and Time-Based Offers 

Scorching afternoons are slow for foot traffic, but also a perfect time to offer refreshing incentives. Here are two creative ways to turn hot weather or specific hours into sales opportunities: 

1. Schedule Themed Days: Create recurring events like “Cool Down Tuesdays” or “Sunset Specials” to boost traffic during slower periods. Consistent themes build anticipation and turn one-time visits into weekly habits. 
2. Use Digital Signage or App Push Notifications: Remind guests when it's time to swing by for a treat. Timely nudges are especially effective in the summer heat. 

3 Gamified Loyalty Promotions 

Gamifying your promotions adds an element of fun and keeps guests invested over time. Instead of one-off discounts, think of ways to build momentum with each visit. Here are three ideas for gamified loyalty promotions: 

1. Launch A Summer Punch Card: Guests earn rewards for frequency, specific purchases, or visiting on certain days. This keeps your brand top of mind and encourages consistent visits. 
2. Introduce Tiers: Small rewards for a few visits, bigger ones for reaching higher milestones. Tiered systems motivate guests to come back more often. 
3. Use Loyalty Platform Tracking Tools: Automate entries and redemptions, making it easy for both staff and guests. Streamlining the experience improves adoption and participation. 

3 Ideas For Collaborations with Local Events or Brands 

Leverage what’s already happening around you to get more eyes on your store. Here are three ideas on how to collaborate with local events and brands: 

1. Partner with Outdoor Events or Festivals: Offer pre- or post-event snacks and drinks. This taps into existing traffic and introduces your brand to new guests. 
2. Cross-Promote with Nearby Businesses: Team up with ice cream shops, car washes, or tourist attractions. These partnerships expand your reach and drive mutual traffic. 
3. Try Co-Branded Specials: A locally brewed soda + your store’s summer sandwich combo can drive interest and shares. It also gives you a unique hook to promote online. 

12 Summer Promotion Ideas for Restaurants 

Restaurants have plenty of room to get creative in the summer. Think beyond discounts and focus on experience—people are in the mood to linger, celebrate, and enjoy something different. 

3 Tips For Themed Nights and Seasonal Experiences 

A themed night adds energy to your regular offerings and gives guests a reason to come back. Here are three tips on how to run themed nights effectively: 

1. Themed Nights Ideas: Try hosting Luau Nights, Taco Tuesdays, or Summer BBQ Fridays with limited-time menus. The idea is to offer a unique, memorable experience that goes beyond your regular dining options. 
2. Add Decorative Touches: Use summer accents, themed music, and dress codes to create a full experience. These elements turn an ordinary meal into a memorable outing. 
3. Share Photos Online: Build buzz and encourage the fear of missing out (FOMO) with fun images from each event. User-generated content also adds credibility and reach. 

3 Family-Friendly Campaigns To Try 

With kids out of school, summer is a huge opportunity to attract families. Here are three ideas on how to appeal to families: 

1. Run "Kids Eat Free" Nights: These are great for attracting families during the summer months. These promotions are easy to communicate and highly valued by parents. 
2. Offer Activities for Kids: Use coloring sheets, table games, or contests to entertain young guests. When kids are happy and engaged, their parents stay longer and order more. 
3. Reward Family Visits: Offer loyalty points, discounts, or freebies when families dine with you more than once a month. This encourages repeat visits instead of venue-hopping. 

3 Digital Promotions to Drive Off-Premise Orders 

Not every guest wants to dine in, especially on scorching hot or rainy days. Here are three ways to drive online orders: 

1. Free Delivery on Rainy Days: Offer complimentary delivery during dreary weather or long holiday weekends when guests prefer to stay in. These timely, weather-based deals feel thoughtful and timely. 
2. Social Media-Exclusive Discounts: Tie discounts to summer hashtags and user-submitted photos. This encourages online engagement and customer discovery. 
3. Geo-Targeting for Delivery Apps: Target nearby residents or people in the area with mobile-only deals to encourage orders for delivery or pickup. This helps you connect with customers who are ready to order and boosts your sales. 

3 Summer Birthday and Graduation Promos 

People love celebrating milestones with food—and summer is full of them. Here are three ideas on how to bring in traffic from birthdays, graduations, and other events: 

1. Offer Group Booking Incentives: Give free cakes or drink upgrades for birthday and graduation parties. These thoughtful perks make event planning easier and add extra festive cheer. 
2. Use Your Loyalty Program: Send personalized birthday month discounts to encourage guests to celebrate with you. Timed offers help boost visits during their special moments. 
3. Create Party Packs or Catering Discounts: Design packages tailored to celebrations of all sizes. Make it simple and convenient for guests to host their events at your place. 

12 Summer Promotion Ideas for C-Stores 

C-stores thrive during summer thanks to road trip traffic, last-minute snack stops, and on-the-go needs. The trick is to package your offerings in ways that feel timely and useful. 

3 Fuel-Up and Cool-Down Combos 

When temperatures rise, guests are looking for two things: fuel and refreshment. These three ideas make it easy for them to grab both in one stop:  

1. Offer Discounts with Fuel Purchases: Pair fuel with bottled drinks, ice cream, or snacks. Cross-selling this way boosts the average cart value without extra effort. 
2. Launch A Loyalty Perk: Give guests a branded tumbler that offers discounted refills all summer long. It encourages repeat visits while boosting brand recognition. 
3. Display Summer Deals at The Pump: Use eye-catching signage at the pump to drive add-on purchases. This grabs customers’ attention and increases impulse purchases. 

3 Summer Road Trip Promotions 

Road trips are a summer tradition, and c-stores are key stops along the way. Here are three ways to create offerings targeted towards road trippers:  

1. Bundle Road Trip Must-Haves: Create themed bundles with catchy names tailored to different types of road trippers, like “Beach Bound Bundle” (sunscreen, bottled water, salty snacks) or “Family Road Trip Pack” (juice boxes, kid-friendly snacks, wet wipes, and paper goods). Offer a discount (e.g., save 10% when buying the bundle) to highlight value. 
2. Place Bundles Near Checkout: Position your road trip bundles at checkout counters to catch last-minute impulse buys. This strategic spot helps turn everyday essentials into exciting finds. 
3. Offer Special Playlists: Create a branded road trip playlist on Spotify with a QR code linking to a coupon for in-store purchases. 

3 Instant Win Campaigns To Entice Your Customers  

Everyone loves a chance to win, especially when it’s quick and easy. Instant-win campaigns inject excitement into everyday purchases. Here are three ideas to explore:  

1. Run Scratch-Off Or QR Code Giveaways: Add an element of surprise with scratch-offs or QR codes. These simple games make each transaction more engaging and memorable. 
2. Offer Seasonal Prizes: Choose rewards like cold drinks, fuel discounts, or tickets to local events. Relevant prizes keep customers excited and motivated to participate. 
3. Tie Campaigns into Holidays: Create urgency with limited-time offers around major summer dates. Seasonal timing boosts excitement and drives higher engagement.

3 Slushie and Frozen Drink Challenges 

Cold drinks are a summer staple, but with the right spin, they can also drive serious engagement. Here are three ways to turn slushies and frozen drinks into a social event: 

1. Rotate Flavor of the Week: Link flavors to popular summer movies, music, or trends. This keeps your menu fresh and culturally connected. 
2. Create A Refill Challenge: Reward customers for each refill with a branded cup. This encourages repeat visits and increases sales. 
3. Encourage Social Sharing: Launch contests or TikTok challenges centered around your frozen drink station. User-generated content spreads your brand far and wide. 

9 Ways To Make the Most of Summer Promotions 

Summer promotions are a powerful way to boost sales and deepen customer connections—but only if you manage them well. Here’s how to make the most out of your summer campaigns. 

3 Ways To Train Your Team to Promote Every Offer 

Your staff are the front lines of every promotion. If they don’t know about the offer, or don’t know how to talk about it, it’s a missed opportunity. Here are three ways to train your team effectively:  

1. Use Brief, Focused Updates: Keep training sessions short and targeted, focusing on one promotion at a time. This prevents information overload and helps staff retain key details. 
2. Offer Small Staff Incentives: Reward employees who upsell promotions effectively. Motivation improves participation and enthusiasm. 
3. Provide Clear Messaging Guides: Give employees simple scripts or bullet points to explain offers confidently. Clear communication builds trust and helps convert interest into sales. 

3 Ways To Use Loyalty and POS Data to Segment Your Offers 

It’s important to use insights from your loyalty program or point of sale system to personalize offers based on habits, frequency, or demographics. Here are three effective ways to use your data to deliver more relevant promotions:  

1. Target Different Guest Segments: Send customized offers to families, weekend regulars, or lapsed visitors. Personalization improves engagement and response rates. 
2. Personalize Based on Purchase History: Recommend deals tied to past purchases or favorites. This shows customers you understand their preferences. 
3. Automate Loyalty Triggers: Set up automatic rewards for birthdays, milestones, or frequent visits. Automation keeps your program timely and consistent without extra manual effort. 

3 Ways To Track What Works (and What Doesn’t) 

Promotions aren’t a one-and-done effort; they need ongoing optimization. Tracking performance in real time lets you spot what’s gaining traction and what’s falling flat. Here are three things to do to improve your tracking:  

1. Monitor Key Metrics Weekly: Keep an eye on redemptions, average ticket size, and signups. Regular check-ins help you catch trends and take action early. 
2. Make Mid-Campaign Tweaks: Don’t be afraid to adjust timing, signage, or featured products. Small changes can drive better performance. 
3. Apply Insights to Future Campaigns: Use results to refine your next promotion. Every campaign offers valuable data to shape what’s next. 

Frequently Asked Questions About Summer Promotions 

Summer is a high-opportunity season for businesses to increase foot traffic, drive sales, and engage new and returning customers. If you’re wondering how to run a successful summer campaign or what trends to watch for in 2025, these frequently asked questions will help you get started. 

How do I create a summer campaign? 

Here are 5 steps to create a summer campaign: 

1. Set Clear Objectives: Decide whether your goal is to drive foot traffic, increase online orders, or boost average spend. 
2. Choose a Seasonal Hook: Build your campaign around summer themes—like road trips, heat relief, holidays, or outdoor fun. 
3. Design the Offer: Create limited-time deals, bundles, or challenges that align with your theme and customer behavior. 
4. Promote Across Channels: Use in-store signage, social media, email, and your loyalty app to spread the word. 
5. Train Your Team: Make sure staff know the offer, how to talk about it, and how to upsell it naturally. 

How do I boost summer sales for my business? 

Here are 5 strategies to boost summer sales: 

1. Run Timely Promotions: Use weather, holidays, or events as triggers for limited-time deals that feel relevant. 
2. Offer Value Bundles: Group popular items together at a slight discount to drive up average ticket value. 
3. Leverage Social Media: Encourage user-generated content, run contests, or create a hashtag to increase visibility. 
4. Focus on Convenience: Highlight grab-and-go items, digital ordering, or fast delivery options for busy summer days. 
5. Use Loyalty Data: Target different customer groups—like families, lapsed users, or frequent visitors—with personalized deals.

What's an example of a successful seasonal discount? 

A strong example of a seasonal discount is a “Fuel & Refresh” deal, where customers who purchase gas receive a discount on cold beverages, ice cream, or summer snacks. This taps into seasonal needs while encouraging cross-sell behavior.  

Another effective strategy is offering bundle discounts during summer holidays, like a “July 4th Picnic Pack” or “Back-to-School Snack Bundle.” Seasonal discounts work best when they’re tied to time-limited events, easy to understand, and clearly promoted. Use signage, staff training, and digital channels to spotlight the deal and create urgency. 

What do 2025’s summer demand trends look like? 

In 2025, summer demand trends are expected to center on convenience, personalization, and sustainability. Customers want quick, mobile-friendly service, especially during travel or family outings. There’s rising interest in low- or no-alcohol beverages, plant-based snacks, and eco-conscious packaging.  

Expect higher demand for loyalty rewards, mobile-exclusive offers, and bundled discounts that simplify planning. With more people blending remote work and leisure, look for weekday midday surges in addition to weekend peaks.  

Turn Up the Heat on Seasonal Success 

From family-focused loyalty campaigns and themed nights to fuel-and-refresh bundles and instant-win games, summer promotions drive strong engagement for both restaurants and c-stores. 

The key is to deliver personalized, easy-to-grasp offers that tap into seasonal moments and align with your customers’ habits. It’s also a good idea to blend physical and digital marketing—like pairing in-store signage with loyalty app rewards or social media contests—to ensure your promotions reach customers wherever they are. 

Get ahead of summer with Paytronix loyalty, engagement, and promo tools—book your demo now.