# How to promote daily specials in your restaurant

> Daily specials serve multiple purposes in a restaurant: they let the kitchen use fresh ingredients efficiently, they give regulars something new to discover, and they can be priced at a premium because they signal freshness and exclusivity. But a daily special that customers don't know about is just a chalkboard note that most people ignore. The goal is to make your daily specials feel like an event, something worth coming in for, and worth ordering when you're already there.

Source: https://signagespace.com/blog/how-to-promote-daily-specials-in-your-restaurant/

By SignageSpace · 2026-06-20

Daily specials serve multiple purposes in a restaurant: they let the kitchen use fresh ingredients efficiently, they give regulars something new to discover, and they can be priced at a premium because they signal freshness and exclusivity. But a daily special that customers don't know about is just a chalkboard note that most people ignore. The goal is to make your daily specials feel like an event, something worth coming in for, and worth ordering when you're already there.

[Watch the video](https://www.youtube-nocookie.com/embed/f4VZk3mKteg)

For context on how digital signage transforms restaurant marketing, see: [Digital Signage for Restaurants: Menu Boards, Specials & Setup](https://signagespace.com/blog/digital-signage-restaurants/).

## The problem with traditional specials promotion

Most restaurants rely on staff to verbally communicate daily specials. "And tonight's special is..." is a common script. The problem: staff forget to mention it, customers mishear it, and the message reaches only customers who interact with staff face-to-face. In a fast-casual or counter-service environment, the verbal channel barely exists at all. Chalkboards help but they are easy to miss and hard to update in high-traffic kitchens.

## How digital signage solves the daily specials problem

A dedicated [digital signage display](https://www.signagespace.com/what-is-a-digital-signage-display/) for daily specials solves all of these problems simultaneously. The special is visible from the moment a customer enters, it can include a photo and a description, it updates in seconds from a mobile app, and it automatically disappears when the special ends or sells out.

Here is how to set it up effectively:

**Dedicate a screen:**If you have more than one screen, reserve one or one zone on a multi-zone layout exclusively for the daily special.

**Include a photo:** A single high-quality photo of the special increases orders of that item dramatically. You don't need professional photography; a well-lit phone shot works if it looks genuinely appetizing.

**Show the price clearly:** Customers who can't see the price often skip asking about the special. Remove that friction.

**Mark it as limited:**"Available while supplies last" or "Only 20 portions tonight" adds urgency without being gimmicky.

## Scheduling specials in advance

One underused feature of [digital signage](https://signagespace.com/blog/what-is-digital-signage/) platforms is the ability to schedule content in advance. If your kitchen plans specials a week ahead, you can upload the specials content on Monday morning with photos and descriptions and schedule each one to appear automatically on the right day. This removes the daily admin burden and ensures the board is always current. See: [How to Use a TV as a Digital Menu Board (Free Guide)](https://signagespace.com/blog/how-to-use-a-tv-as-a-menu-board/) for setup guidance.

## Beyond the in-restaurant board

In-store digital signage is one channel for promoting daily specials, but it only reaches customers who are already in your restaurant. To attract new visitors based on the day's special, combine your in-store display with:

**Social media posts:** A daily photo of the special on Instagram and Facebook, posted before the lunch or dinner service, reaches your followers before they decide where to eat.

**Email or SMS list:**A brief daily or weekly message to subscribers; "Tonight's special: lamb shank. Reserve a table." drives bookings and visit frequency.

**Google My Business posts:** Free and often overlooked, a daily post on your Google listing increases visibility in local search.

## Training staff to amplify the board

Even with great [digital signage displays](https://signagespace.com/digital-signage-displays/), staff still play a role. Train them to actively direct customers' attention to the specials board rather than describing the special verbally. "Take a look at our specials board, tonight's looks incredible" is more effective than a memorized script, and it leverages the visual power of the display.

## Tracking which specials perform

**Keep a simple log:**date, special item, number sold, revenue generated. Over time, patterns emerge which ingredients sell best, which days see the most special orders, which descriptions drive the most interest. This data should feed directly into your menu planning and your content strategy for the specials board.