The weather is finally heating up and the sun’s coming out a little more often. And with that, comes the customers! At least, if you’ve done what you need to do to attract them. This is where a little planning goes a long way. Get ready now so you don’t find yourself falling behind.

Here’s how to make sure your pub or restaurant is ready before that summer swarm arrives.

1. Plan Your Stock & Menu in Advance

Start by looking back before you look forward. Pull up last year’s sales data to forecast what you’ll need, which drinks flew off the shelves, what food sold well, and where you ran short. Use that to inform your summer menu and stock ordering this year.

Don’t forget to also get your summer drinks order in early. Cider, gin & tonic, and other seasonal favourites can be slow to arrive if you leave it too late. Build your summer menu with this in mind, and make sure your till systems are updated and programmed correctly before the rush begins. There’s nothing worse than trying to ring up a customer whose drink isn’t even in the system.

What’s more, make sure your till is ready to handle the extra traffic, with additional card readers, charging stations, and other key equipment. You don’t need to outright buy them, though. Seasonal rentals are always an option.

2. Get Your Space Summer-Ready

Walk your outdoor area with fresh eyes. Is the grass mowed? Are the tables and chairs in good condition? If you have an outdoor kitchen or bar, test all the equipment now, not on your busiest Saturday of the year.

Small touches make a big difference. A few potted flowers or hanging baskets can transform a tired beer garden into somewhere customers want to linger—and drink! First impressions count, and in summer, it’s important to maximize your biggest asset.

No beer garden? No problem. Focus on making your interior feel light, airy, and summery. Think about adjusting your lighting, swapping out heavy furnishings, or adding some seasonal decor to lift the atmosphere.

3. Hire and Train Staff Early

Summer is peak season, and so is competition for good staff. If you’re planning to take on extra team members, start recruiting well in advance. The best candidates get snapped up quickly.

Once you’ve got your team in place, make sure everyone is properly trained before the season kicks off, including introducing your staff to any new summer menu items or till updates. A well-prepared team means faster service and happier customers—and more revenue, of course.

4. Know Your Calendar

Bank holidays, local village fairs, sporting events, outdoor festivals: summer is packed with occasions that can drive significant footfall your way. Get ahead of them. Mark the key dates now, plan any offers or promotions in advance, and consider whether your standard opening hours should change to make the most of longer days.

Look back at what promotions worked well last year and build on them rather than starting from scratch.

5. Start Marketing Now

Don’t wait until summer arrives to talk about it. Tease your new menu on social media, share photos of your freshly spruced-up outdoor space, and start advertising for bank holidays well in advance. Engage with local community groups and event pages to get in front of new customers.

A consistent social media presence in the run-up to summer means you’ll already be front of mind when people are deciding where to go.

Summer is one of the most lucrative times of year for pubs and restaurants, but only for those who are prepared. And Everything EPOS is here to help you. Contact our EPOS specialists to discuss how to ensure your team and till are both ready to go when the summer crowds start.