After-School Special: Making Restaurant Delivery September’s Superhero

As summer winds down and school routines ramp up, weeknight chaos becomes the norm. Between carpools, homework, and back-to-school shopping, dinner often takes a back seat. That’s where restaurant delivery becomes the September superhero.

By offering stress-free, family-friendly meals that fit perfectly into the school night scramble, your restaurant can be the go-to solution when time is tight and tummies are rumbling.

Make Weeknights Easier for Parents

When weeknight chaos kicks in, convenience is king. Your restaurant can become a household hero by offering family-style meal bundles that feed the whole crew without the mess.

Think two adult entrées, two kids' meals, and an optional dessert or drink package.

Price them competitively, promote them as delivery-only exclusives, and emphasize that these bundles take the pressure off parents.

Ideas to try:

“Homework Helper” Family Deal (Delivery Exclusive)

• Offer: Free kids' meal with any delivery order over $25.

• Bonus: Include a small toy, activity sheet, or sticker pack.

• CTA: “Let dinner handle itself so you can handle the homework.”

“School Spirit Delivery Days”

• Offer: Partner with local schools for delivery-only fundraiser nights.

• How it works: Families order in, mention their school at checkout, and you donate a % of sales.

“Weeknight Rescue” Meal Bundles

• Offer: Delivery-only bundle with 2 adult entrées + 2 kids’ meals at a discounted price.

• Theme Ideas:

  • Taco Tuesday Takeout

  • Midweek Pasta Night

  • Friday Fun Feast (with a sweet treat add-on)

“Backpack Bonus” Loyalty Points for Kids’ Meals

• Offer: Extra loyalty points for every kids’ meal ordered via delivery.

• Hook: “Earn points toward a free family night out!”

Back-to-School Lunch Prep Packs (Weekend Delivery)

• Offer: Deliver weekend lunchbox-ready kids’ meals (think wraps, fruit cups, snackable proteins) for parents to pack during the week.

Launch an After-School Snack Menu

From 2:30 to 5:30 PM, there’s a golden window between dismissal and dinnertime. That’s your chance to swoop in with easy, snackable items perfect for kids heading home or parents needing a quick fix.

Menu ideas:

• Mini quesadillas

• Fruit cups and hummus packs

• Grilled cheese bites

• Smoothies or milk cartons

Bonus tip: Bundle a few options together and brand it as a mini "After-School Fuel" menu.

 

Themed Weeknight Promos to Keep It Fresh

Adding a little routine to the routine can make your menu stand out. Themed weeknight promotions give customers a reason to order from you on specific days—which builds habit.

Examples:

• Taco Tuesday To-Go: Free kids' taco with every adult taco order

• Wellness Wednesday: Free fruit cup or smoothie with kids’ meals

• Friday Fun Pack: Cookie decorating kit or printable game sheet included with orders over $35

Root for the Home Team

Back-to-School time is ideal to create some hype around being your local team’s go-to grub spot.

• Talk to your local coaches and support your home-town sports teams.

• Most schools have extracurricular programs for kids and this is a great way to create awareness for your restaurant in the community while boosting regular, repeat orders.

Partner with Schools and PTAs

To establishdirect access to families, partner with schools, parent-teacher associations, and community organizations. Sponsoringfundraiser delivery nights, where you donate a percentage of sales to the local school, sports team, or charity helps foster community support and boost orders.

Outreach ideas:

• Digital flyers with promo codes for school newsletters

• Deliver branded menus or coupons to PTA meetings

• Reward referrals with future discounts or free items

Serve Those Who Serve Our Kids

Teachers spend their days shaping young minds—and just like the rest of us, they head home to hungry families and hectic weeknights. During the back-to-school season, help lighten their load with exclusive delivery specials made just for educators.

Create a fun offer like a "Teacher’s Pet Friday Special" and share it with local schools to get on their radar. Want to make a real impact? Drop off a printed flyer or custom menu with your next school delivery and leave it in the staff lounge—right where they’ll see it during their much-needed break. It’s a smart way to say thank you and boost weekday delivery orders.

Take Away

As families gear up for a new school year, routines are shifting—and so are mealtime habits. With the return of homework, after-school activities, and packed weeknights, delivery becomes more than a convenience; it’s a lifeline.  

By implementing these strategies, restaurants can effectively leverage the back-to-school season to attract new customers, increase sales, and build lasting relationships with families and students in the community. 

  

By Eileen Strauss