Mother’s Day might feel light and festive on the surface, but for restaurants, it’s one of the most demanding days of the year. Guests are celebrating, dining in larger parties, and spending more per table. That kind of traffic can be a major win, but only if your team is prepared. Otherwise, it quickly turns into an operational stress test that puts your restaurant at risk of poor performance or, even worse, bad reviews.
With Mother’s Day approaching, we’ve pulled together proven strategies to keep operations smooth and capture more revenue.
Here’s where to start.
Lead with Data, Not Assumptions
A strong Mother’s Day performance isn’t about luck. It’s about preparation. The stores that succeed walk in with a plan. They forecast accurately, staff smartly, and keep service running smoothly from open to close. Those who don’t spend the day scrambling, missing sales, and frustrating guests.
Start with last year’s numbers. When did covers spike? When did the dining room turn fastest? Did the kitchen slow down during peak brunch? Forte makes it easy to surface these insights by location, hour, and menu category. You’re not relying on gut feel. You’re walking in with data.
From there, it’s about execution. Use your forecasts to align staffing, prep, and pacing. The right people in the right roles at the right time. That’s how you lead a smooth shift and make the most of the day’s revenue opportunity.
Staff Like It Matters, Because It Does
Mother’s Day isn’t the shift to experiment. Success starts with your best people in the right roles.
Look at the data. Who shows up prepared, communicates clearly, and leads under pressure? Schedule them during peak hours and build the rest of the team around them.
Skill isn’t the only factor; chemistry matters as well. High-volume days expose friction fast. Be thoughtful about pairings. Put together a team that collaborates well and keeps cool when the dining room is full.
Once your lineup is set, get specific. Define zones, clarify roles, and assign a floater to handle gaps or unexpected issues. Everyone should know who to lean on and what success looks like on the floor.
Talent matters, but structure is what turns a busy shift into a great one. It all starts with a clear game plan—one the whole team can get behind. Set a goal, give your team the tools to reach it, and recognize the win when they do. With the right prep and a little motivation, your team can deliver at its best.
Craft Your Game Plan
Mother’s Day puts pressure on every part of the floor. The right strategy keeps your team focused and your service flowing, no matter how busy it gets.
Simplify the menu. A fixed-price or limited brunch menu keeps service moving and food costs in check. It also gives your kitchen breathing room during peak volume. Train servers in advance so they’re confident in pacing and upsells, and prep extra stock of your top-selling items so you can avoid the mid-shift scramble.
Make upsells feel effortless. Guests want to celebrate, so give them something special to add on. Mimosa flights, signature desserts, or take-home gift cards work well when they’re easy to explain and available at every table. The best teams build these into their rhythm, so it feels natural, not forced.
Use self-serve stations to buy time. A coffee or pastry station near the host stand gives guests something to enjoy while they wait and helps reduce early frustration. It also takes pressure off the kitchen during the first seating wave, especially when timing is tight and tables flip fast.
Put extra polish on the front of the house. On a day that draws families and first-time guests, the host team sets the tone. Overstaff the front and keep communication upbeat and visible. A small gesture, like offering moms a flower or a welcome drink, can make a big impression while they wait. That extra attention goes a long way.
Add flexibility where it matters. A strong floater can make or break your busiest shifts. Assign someone who can jump between expo, bussing, and guest support as needed. Their role is to keep the pressure off everyone else and give managers the space to lead.
Recognize your team’s effort. Mother’s Day brings high traffic and high expectations. Show your appreciation with a thoughtful gesture, whether it’s a take-home dessert, a meal voucher, or a small thank-you gift for the staff who made it happen.
Don’t Just Celebrate the Day. Learn From It
But here’s what most operators forget: the shift might end at 3:00 pm, but the opportunity doesn’t. Leverage your manager log or record of truth to capture what worked and what didn’t while it’s still fresh. Which locations hit the mark? Where did service bottlenecks pop up? What items drove the most profit? A quick post-shift debrief turns into a roadmap for next year or for your next big holiday rush.
One Big Day. One Big Opportunity.
With the right tools, Mother’s Day can become a playbook moment. A chance to shine, show off your team’s operational strength, and drive results that last beyond one big day.
Ready to turn your busiest brunch into a smarter, more successful shift? Forte helps you plan, prep, and communicate with precision.
Get started with Forte. Contact us today to learn more.
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