5 Smart Ways Restaurants Can Increase Sales During the 2026 World Cup

The 2026 World Cup is coming — and it’s going to be big.

Not just in the US, Mexico, or Canada.
Globally.

For a few weeks, attention shifts. People gather.
They eat together, drink together — and spend more than usual.

For restaurants, bars, and food trucks, this is one of those moments where a few smart decisions can completely change the outcome.

Because more customers doesn’t always mean more revenue.

If your system can’t handle the pressure, it quickly turns into:

• long queues
• slow service
• missed orders

The restaurants that win are the ones that prepare early — and use the right tools to stay in control.

Here’s how.

1. Remove Friction with QR Ordering, Pre-Orders & Table Bookings

When demand spikes, the biggest problem isn’t getting customers — it’s serving them fast enough.

This is where QR table ordering becomes a game changer.

Place a QR code on every table and let customers:

• order directly from their phone
• pay instantly
• send orders straight to the kitchen

No waiting. No bottlenecks.

At the same time, you can reduce pressure before the game even starts.

Send a push or email campaign letting customers:

• pre-order their meals before kickoff
• book tables in advance for big matches

This spreads demand, keeps operations smoother, and avoids last-minute chaos.

2. Create a World Cup Menu That Works for You

During big events, complexity kills speed.

Instead of offering your full menu, create a dedicated World Cup menu with:

• your best-selling dishes
• easy-to-prepare items
• combos and meal deals

Think:

• burger + drink + fries
• beer + sharing platter
• group bundles

You can also promote this properly:

Run a campaign showing the menu in advance
Let customers explore what will be served
Offer 10% off for pre-orders or table bookings

This helps:

• customers decide faster
• kitchens prepare better
• teams stay in control

3. Run Smart Promotions (Without Killing Your Margins)

You don’t need heavy discounts to drive demand.

In fact, the best campaigns during events are usually low-cost and high-engagement.

Some ideas that work really well:

• Double loyalty points during important matches
• Bring a friend → both get a small discount or free item
• Free nachos or starter if you book a table in advance
• Match-day rewards for repeat customers

These types of promotions:

• feel valuable to customers
• don’t heavily impact your margins
• encourage group bookings and repeat visits

The goal is simple:
Make the experience more engaging, not just cheaper.

4. Turn Match-Day Visitors Into Future Customers

During the World Cup, you’ll get a lot of new people.

Some will be locals trying your place for the first time.
Some will discover you through social media.

This is your moment to capture them.

For new visitors:

• run social media campaigns
• promote offers like “Order through our app and get a free item on your first order”

This pushes customers into your ecosystem.

For tourists, it’s different.

They might not come back — and that’s fine.

With guest checkout, you can still capture the sale without forcing registration or creating friction.

So you:

• don’t lose the order
• keep the experience smooth
• and focus loyalty efforts where it matters

5. Plan Delivery Before It Gets Busy

Not everyone will go out to watch the game.

A big part of demand will happen at home.

And if you’re not ready, delivery can quickly become a problem.

The smartest approach is to prepare in advance.

Run campaigns like:

• “Watching the game at home? Invite your friends and get delivery discounts”
• “Pre-order now to avoid delays on match day”

This helps you:

• control demand
• avoid last-minute overload
• deliver a better experience

Because during peak hours, predictability matters more than anything.
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The World Cup doesn’t just bring more customers — it brings more pressure.

And without the right setup, it can quickly turn into chaos.

That’s why having the right technology behind your operations is key.

From ordering and payments to marketing and delivery, everything needs to work together — smoothly and consistently.

Otherwise, even a full restaurant can struggle.

We’re already seeing this with our restaurants in the UK during major Premier League matches.

The ones using structured setups — QR ordering, pre-orders, smart campaigns — are able to handle higher demand without losing control.

And for the World Cup, we’re already preparing marketing campaigns with our clients in advance, so they can take full advantage of the opportunity when it arrives.

Because when the games start, the demand is already there.

The real question is: will your system be ready for it?

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