How to prepare your restaurant for the 2024 Olympic Games

As the Paris 2024 Olympic Games approach, the French capital is getting ready to welcome more than 15 million visitors over the summer. It is a major challenge for restaurateurs, who will have to handle intense activity and unprecedented logistical challenges.

According to recent figures from the Paris Tourist Office, the economic impact of the Olympic Games, excluding ticketing, is estimated at between €2.6 and €3.2 billion.

So are you ready to see your restaurant’s footfall skyrocket? Have you thought of everything? Are you ready to take on the logistical and operational challenges?

Before the Games kick off, here is a list of levers you may not have thought of, to put in place in your restaurant as soon as possible.

1. Optimize your dining room layout

Adjust your seating capacity

So you can welcome more customers smoothly and efficiently, which means faster table turnover.

Rethink your dining room layout

Improve service flow to make each server’s job easier. Also consider adapting your restaurant to welcome people with disabilities.

2. Prepare your team for higher footfall

With the growing influx of tourists, both domestic and international, it is essential that your team is fully prepared.

Set up training

Cover a range of topics such as foreign languages, guest welcome, wine service, etc. Also run workshops to present your menu and wines, including detailed information on each dish and its potential allergens. A well-trained team is the key to quality service.

💡 Note: many training courses are eligible for the CPF (France’s personal training account), which makes them free for your business.

Watch out: a disorganized team can have several negative consequences:

• Longer waiting times for customers;
• Lower ratings on delivery platforms;
• A drop in service quality.

Real-time inventory management software can help you stay flexible and efficient during sporting events. These tools make your teams’ work easier, help prevent mistakes and save a great deal of time.

3. Make your restaurant’s terrace more attractive during the 2024 Olympic Games

If space allows, ask the city hall for permission to create or extend your terrace to welcome more customers.

During the Games, visitors love to relax outdoors. A large terrace can attract a range of customers and become a major asset.

💡 Useful information: temporary terraces will be allowed to stay open until midnight, instead of their usual 10 p.m. closing time.

Make sure terrace service is as efficient as indoors. Staff specially trained to handle outdoor orders will ensure a smooth, pleasant experience for your customers.

4. Optimize your restaurant’s equipment for maximum efficiency during the 2024 Olympic Games

With the expected influx of visitors, it is crucial to maximize the efficiency of your service by equipping your restaurant with the right tools.

Invest in digital tools for bookings, staff management, hygiene monitoring, billing, packaging and communicating with suppliers.

Check that your payment terminal accepts foreign cards. Make sure your booking website is available in English. Plan for technical issues.

5. Adapt your offer to international customers

First of all, make sure you offer your menu in several languages, both on paper and in digital form. Use QR codes to speed up service. Don’t forget the paper versions, as some customers may have a dead battery after a day exploring the city.

Extend your opening and kitchen hours, and stay open as much as possible. This will help you attract a diverse international clientele, since eating habits vary by nationality.

For example, the British often have dinner around 6 p.m., while Spaniards prefer to eat later, around 10 p.m.

Anglo-Saxon and German-speaking visitors like a hearty, savory breakfast. Scandinavians prefer a sweetened coffee in the morning. Spaniards, for their part, are used to tapas at aperitif time.

6. Adapt your menu and simplify your raw material management

Use your sales analysis data to assess the popularity and profitability of your dishes.

Simplification: Cut the number of dishes and keep only the best performers. This will reduce preparation times and increase table turnover.

Savings: Base your recipes on a smaller number of ingredients to minimize waste and cut costs.

Create quick, easy-to-prepare snack options such as quiches, customizable crêpes or reinvented croque-monsieurs. You can include classics of French cuisine that are popular internationally.

💡 Think about vegan and gluten-free options, such as plant-based burgers and salads boosted with superfoods.

Offer a varied drinks menu during sports broadcasts to keep your customers happy. Include original cocktails, craft beers and quality wines.

💡 Don’t forget alcohol-free options! Also offer sides such as mini burgers, tapas or sharing boards to create a friendly atmosphere.

7. Bring your restaurant to life with a buzzing atmosphere

To stand out, organize events, after-work parties with DJ sets and happy hours, and broadcast the highlights of the Games live.

Here are a few ideas to attract as many hungry fans as possible during the 2024 Olympic Games:

1. Custom photo booths: Set up photo booths with frames in the colors of the Games, or use a Polaroid camera with fun props. This activity is easy to set up and appeals to a wide audience.
2. Themed decorations: Transform your restaurant into a festive, immersive venue in the colors of the Olympic Games. Themed decorations from the entrance will catch the eye and immerse your customers, regulars included, in the Olympic atmosphere.
3. Themed dishes: Work with your chef to create special dishes inspired by the countries taking part in the Games. Themed cuisine adds a fun dimension to your customers’ dining experience.
4. Quiz nights: Host Olympic-themed quiz nights. It is the perfect opportunity to create a festive and educational atmosphere, while offering special menus matching the countries currently in the lead.
5. Prediction board: Set up a prediction board where customers can forecast the results of the competitions. Offer small prizes to boost engagement and build customer loyalty.
6. Contests and giveaways: Run regular contests with Olympic-related prizes, such as mascots, promotional items, or even free meals at your restaurant. Contests are a great way to draw a crowd and increase engagement on your social media.

8. Promote takeout

With busy schedules split between competitions and sightseeing, many people will be looking for takeout options.

Stock up on extra packaging and cutlery for takeout dishes.

Take pride in the presentation of your takeout packaging and bags by customizing them with your restaurant’s colors and logo. This will not only keep customers satisfied but also increase your restaurant’s visibility across the city.

9. Master your inventory management

1 Analyze your restaurant’s past sales

To assess the potential growth in business due to the Olympics, review your sales during similar periods of high footfall, such as previous sporting or tourist events. This will help you forecast the influx of customers and identify the dishes that will be most popular.

2 Plan your raw material purchasing

Work closely with your suppliers to get more frequent deliveries. This way, you will keep the flexibility you need to handle fluctuations in customer flow without cluttering your storage areas.

3 Optimize your inventory management

Use the results of your sales analysis to adjust your stock levels and avoid surpluses that tie up cash. Keep a close eye on fast-moving products and order them in advance.

Make the most of your storage space by using high shelves for less frequently used items, while keeping frequently requested products within easy reach.

Plan extra safety stock for key products to avoid running out during periods of unpredictable demand.

10. Plan your production to avoid waste and stock-outs

To avoid food waste, it is essential to plan daily production by anticipating the expected demand for the day. This means preparing enough while avoiding overproduction, which could lead to losses.

Likewise, bakeries need to plan their production of bread, snacks and pastries according to expected footfall. This keeps products fresh while minimizing food waste.

By using forecasting methods based on past sales data and adjusting production in real time according to footfall, restaurants can optimize their operations and effectively reduce waste.