Quick Summary
- Run 2–3 limited, high-speed bundles only (e.g., coffee + pastry); don’t offer storewide discounts
- Time-box discounts by demand window (e.g., 7–10 AM, 12–2 PM); all-day promos kill margin
- Build a rush menu with low-complexity items (pre-batched drinks, grab-and-go pastries)
- Plan labor around expected queue peaks; add 1–2 extra staff during peak windows
Why This Matters
Black Friday can create huge foot traffic for coffee shops near retail zones. If promos are too broad, speed drops and margin disappears. Most shops lose money on Black Friday because they discount everything and can’t keep the line moving.
This guide keeps your offers simple, fast, and profitable.
At a Glance
- Run limited, high-speed bundles
- Time-box discounts by demand windows
- Build rush menu with low-complexity items
- Plan labor around expected queue peaks
Black Friday Pricing Risks
- Too many promo SKUs at once
- Underpriced combo deals
- Long queue times that lower throughput
- Extra waste from over-prepped pastries
High traffic is only useful when the line keeps moving.
Rush-Day Bundle Formula
Bundle price = (Drink cost + Pastry cost + Packaging + Labor share + Promo buffer) / Target food cost %Keep promo math strict, even on high-volume days.
Example: Coffee + Pastry Bundle (Example Numbers)
- Hot drink ingredients: $1.10
- Pastry unit cost: $1.85
- Cup, sleeve, bag, napkin: $0.36
- Labor share: $0.72
- Promo buffer: $0.27
- Total cost: $4.30
Target food cost: 32%
$4.30 / 0.32 = $13.44A listed bundle near $13.50 to $14.00 is usually healthier than a rushed $9.99 deal.
Practical Peak-Hour Setup
- Two-line POS flow: pickup and custom orders
- One backup pastry rack near register
- Pre-labeled promo menu boards
- Cutoff time for custom modifiers
Simple flow design protects both guest experience and margin.
Do This Now
- Create 2–3 bundle offers (e.g., coffee + pastry, coffee + sandwich) and calculate cost + margin for each
- Set time-boxed promo windows (e.g., 7–10 AM, 12–2 PM) and list them on your menu board
- Build a rush menu with 5–6 low-complexity items (pre-batched drinks, grab-and-go pastries)
- Calculate labor cost for peak-hour service and plan staffing (add 1–2 extra staff during windows)
- Test your bundle pricing on last year’s Black Friday sales to see if you hit your target food cost %
Local Data Check (US)
Retail-heavy traffic patterns can shape Black Friday demand. Use seasonal spending and inflation updates before final promo pricing.
Black Friday should be fast and focused. KitchenCost helps you test promo bundles before rush day opens.