101 Wicked Ways Restaurants Can Leverage the Stanley Cup Finals across Canada...

Canada's Restaurant Guy, Jay Ashton

I hope these spark an idea to drive your sales and foot traffic.

The Stanley Cup Finals are not just a pinnacle moment in hockey, they’re a golden opportunity for restaurants to boost brand awareness and sales. Here's a list of 101 wicked ideas to capitalize on this exciting time:

1. Stanley Cup Viewing Parties: Host special viewing events with large screens and themed decorations.
2. Special Menu Items: Create limited-time dishes inspired by the teams or hockey traditions.
3. Drink Specials: Offer themed cocktails or discounted beverages during games.
4. Merchandise Giveaways: Partner with local businesses to give away team-branded merchandise.
5. Fan Photo Contests: Encourage customers to post photos in their favourite team gear for a chance to win prizes.
6. Hockey Trivia Nights: Host trivia contests focused on hockey history and the Stanley Cup.
7. Live Music Events: Feature local bands playing team fight songs or classic hockey anthems.
8. Social Media Challenges: Run social media challenges with hashtags related to the Stanley Cup Finals.
9. Decorate the Venue: Transform your restaurant with team colours, banners, and hockey memorabilia.
10. Big Screen Rentals: Rent extra big screens for an immersive game-watching experience.
11. Player Appearance: Arrange for a local player or retired star to make an appearance.
12. Exclusive Viewing Areas: Offer VIP seating with special perks like dedicated servers and premium menus.
13. Pre-game Activities: Organize pre-game tailgate parties with games and food trucks.
14. Post-game Celebrations: Keep the party going with post-game celebrations regardless of the outcome.
15. Kids’ Activities: Provide family-friendly activities like face painting and hockey-themed crafts.
16. Themed Decor: Use hockey pucks, sticks, and nets as part of your decor.
17. Customer Jerseys: Offer discounts to customers wearing team jerseys.
18. Fantasy Hockey Leagues: Create a restaurant-sponsored fantasy hockey league.
19. Specialty Desserts: Design desserts in the shape of hockey pucks or the Stanley Cup.
20. Team Spirit Night: Designate nights where fans of each team get special deals.
21. Prediction Contests: Have customers predict game outcomes for prizes.
22. Discounts for Goals: Offer discounts based on the number of goals scored by the local team.
23. Signature Dishes: Name signature dishes after famous players or memorable moments.
24. Charity Drives: Partner with local charities for fundraising events during the games.
25. Live Commentary: Invite local sports commentators to provide live commentary in the restaurant.
26. Game Day Breakfasts: Open early for special game day breakfasts before day games.
27. Limited Edition Merchandise: Sell limited edition restaurant-branded hockey merchandise.
28. Hockey Cocktails: Craft cocktails named after teams or famous players.
29. Interactive Games: Set up interactive games like air hockey or bubble hockey tables.
30. Mobile Viewing Party: Organize mobile viewing parties with projectors at outdoor locations.
31. Hockey-Themed Playlist: Play a hockey-themed playlist during the games.
32. Food Truck Collaboration: Partner with local food trucks for outside game day eats.
33. Hockey Bingo: Create hockey bingo cards for customers to play during games.
34. Employee Uniforms: Have staff wear hockey jerseys or themed attire.
35. Beer Tastings: Host beer-tasting events with local breweries.
36. Mascot Appearances: Arrange for local team mascots to visit.
37. Silent Auction: Hold a silent auction for hockey memorabilia with proceeds going to charity.
38. Fan Art Display: Showcase fan art or host an art competition.
39. VIP Packages: Offer VIP packages with reserved seating and premium menu options.
40. Stanley Cup Trophy Replica: Get a replica trophy for photo ops.
41. In-Restaurant Raffles: Run raffles with game tickets or sports gear as prizes.
42. Outdoor Screens: Set up outdoor screens for an al fresco viewing experience.
43. Specialty Burgers: Create burgers named after each playoff team.
44. Hockey Game Simulation: Set up a video game area with NHL game simulations.
45. Loyalty Programs: Introduce loyalty programs with hockey-themed rewards.
46. Exclusive Memberships: Offer exclusive memberships for die-hard fans with perks.
47. Charity Hockey Games: Sponsor local charity hockey games.
48. Post-Game Interviews: Show post-game interviews live in the restaurant.
49. Themed Cocktails: Serve cocktails with hockey-themed names and presentations.
50. Half-Time Shows: Organize half-time entertainment like live bands or dancers.
51. Online Streaming: Stream games live on your website for those who can't make it in.
52. Behind-the-Scenes Tours: Offer tours of your kitchen or brewery with a hockey twist.
53. Hockey Karaoke: Host karaoke nights with hockey songs and team anthems.
54. MVP Discounts: Offer discounts to local sports teams or players.
55. Mini Hockey Games: Set up mini hockey games for kids and adults.
56. Instagram-Worthy Spots: Create Instagram-worthy spots with a hockey backdrop
57. Press Releases: Send out press releases about your Stanley Cup events.
58. Free Appetizers: Give out free appetizers when a local team scores.
59. Photo Booths: Set up photo booths with hockey props.
60. Ice Sculpture: Hire an artist to create an ice sculpture of the Stanley Cup.
61. Commemorative Cups: Sell commemorative cups with team logos.
62. Fan Polls: Run fan polls on social media about game predictions.
63. Themed Workouts: Partner with a local gym for hockey-themed workout sessions.
64. Hockey History Displays: Create displays of hockey history and memorabilia.
65. Flash Sales: Offer flash sales during game breaks.
66. Hockey Skills Competitions: Host skills competitions for fans.
67. Silent Discos: Organize silent discos with hockey commentary in the headphones.
68. Game Analysis: Host sessions with game analysis by sports experts.
69. Tailgate Packages: Sell tailgate packages with food and drink for at-home viewers.
70. Meet and Greet: Organize meet and greet events with local hockey legends.
71. Custom Jerseys: Offer custom jerseys with your restaurant's name on them.
72. Exclusive Menus: Create an exclusive game-day menu with unique items.
73. Hockey Masks: Give out free hockey masks to the first 100 customers.
74. Podcast Series: Start a podcast series discussing the Stanley Cup and featuring local experts.
75. Limited-Time Offers: Create limited-time offers that coincide with game schedules.
76. Team Endorsements: Partner with local teams for mutual endorsements.
77. Fan Art Wall: Dedicate a wall for fan art and photos.
78. Special Lighting: Use special lighting effects to create a game-day atmosphere.
79. Hockey Commentary Channels: Provide customers with headphones to listen to live commentary.
80. Community Boards: Create community boards for fans to post their predictions and messages.
81. Pop-Up Stores: Host pop-up stores selling hockey gear and memorabilia.
82. Fundraising Events: Hold fundraising events for local hockey clubs.
83. Stadium Tours: Arrange tours of local hockey stadiums.
84. Food Challenges: Create food challenges with hockey-themed prizes.
85. Limited Edition Recipes: Publish limited edition recipes inspired by the Stanley Cup Finals.
86. Sports Network Partnerships: Partner with sports networks for exclusive content.
87. Interactive Menus: Use tablets or QR codes for interactive, themed menus.
88. Hockey-Themed Placemats: Design placemats with hockey trivia and games.
89. Customized Playlists: Create and share customized game-day playlists on music platforms.
90. Stanley Cup Cake: Offer a special cake shaped like the Stanley Cup.
91. Cross-Promotions: Work with local businesses for cross-promotions during the finals.
92. Gaming Nights: Host video gaming nights featuring hockey games.
93. Local Artist Collaborations: Collaborate with local artists to create hockey-themed artwork for sale.
94. Team-Themed Tables: Decorate tables with team colours and logos.
95. Snapchat Filters: Create custom Snapchat filters for game days.
96. Hockey Film Screenings: Show classic hockey films before or after games.
97. Customized Plates: Serve dishes on customized plates with team logos.
98. Hockey-Themed Workshops: Offer workshops on the history and strategy of hockey.
99. Exclusive Access: Provide exclusive access to team practice sessions or meet-and-greets.
100. Mascot Challenges: Host mascot challenges with local team mascots.
101. Ultimate Fan Experience: Create the ultimate fan experience package with premium seating, exclusive menu items, and meet-and-greet opportunities.

By implementing these creative and engaging strategies, your restaurant can attract more hockey fans, build a stronger brand presence, and boost sales during the excitement of the Stanley Cup Finals.