December belongs to the special occasion. Make your tables easy to book.
Foot-traffic data shows guests treat themselves in the run-up to Christmas. The restaurants that win are the ones guests can book, pre-order and pay for in a few taps.
By the Xuru Technologies team · 6 December 2025
Key takeaways
- In 2024, upscale and fine dining visits jumped 33.7% in the week of 16 December, per Placer.ai.
- Full-service restaurants overall ran 7.1% above average that week, while fast food dipped.
- Groups, parties and gift cards drive December. Online booking and deposits capture them.
All year, diners have been chasing value. December is different. People celebrate, gather and spend a little more, and that shift shows up clearly in visit data.
What happened
In its holiday preview, Placer.ai found that upscale and fine dining visits rose 33.7% in the week of 16 December 2024 and stayed high into Christmas week, while quick-service and fast casual visits generally fell during the holidays. It expects a similar pattern for 2025. Its analysis of Darden's brands pointed the same way.
What it means for restaurants
- Occasions beat discounts. In December guests want an experience, so sell set menus and celebrations, not coupons.
- Groups decide late. Party bookings often happen on phones in group chats. A shareable booking link wins.
- Fast food can still play. Gift cards, catering trays and family bundles catch holiday spending.
How to fill December tables
| Tool | Benefit |
|---|---|
| Online booking with deposits | Protects busy nights from no-shows. |
| Group menu pre-orders | Speeds service and lets the kitchen plan. |
| Digital gift cards | Revenue now, visits in January. |
| AI answers for party questions | Handles dietary needs, capacity and timings while staff serve guests. |
Frequently asked questions
Which restaurants get the most holiday visits?Placer.ai data shows upscale and fine dining leads the week before Christmas, with full-service restaurants overall also above average.
Placer.ai data shows upscale and fine dining leads the week before Christmas, with full-service restaurants overall also above average.
Should I take deposits for December bookings?For large groups and peak nights, a small deposit greatly reduces no-shows. Make the policy clear at booking.
For large groups and peak nights, a small deposit greatly reduces no-shows. Make the policy clear at booking.
Is it too late to add online booking for this season?A simple booking and pre-order setup can go live quickly, and it keeps paying off into January and Valentine's Day.
A simple booking and pre-order setup can go live quickly, and it keeps paying off into January and Valentine's Day.
Turn December buzz into booked tables.
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