7 Tips for Restaurant LTOs That Drive Traffic

Limited-time offers (LTOs) have long been one of the most effective tactics to generate excitement and drive restaurant traffic. Consumers see LTOs as a safe way to try new dishes, drawn in by unique flavors and ingredients. For operators, LTOs are essential tools to differentiate from the competition and give people fresh reasons to visit. LTOs are a must-have element of menu strategies moving forward, the results speak for themselves:

• Consumers devote an average of 28% of their budget to foodservice¹

• 55% of consumers consider whether a restaurant offers LTOs when deciding where to go out to eat²

• 2025 was projected to be the biggest year for LTO launches, with 39,042 LTOs expected to be launched over the course of the year³

7 tips for restaurant LTOs that drive foot traffic

• Focus on creating compelling value, not discounted pricing. Correlation between price point and value is decreasing over time, showing that value is derived from far more than price alone.⁴ Instead, focus on creating a unique experience your customers won’t find anywhere else.

• Make sure your LTO is photogenic. Two top reasons people choose to buy an LTO revolve around how the item looks in in-store POS and ads. This is especially important to attract younger customers. So pay attention to color, texture and presentation as you create your LTO, and pay for professional photography—it’s worth it.

• Market on social media and in your restaurant. According to operators, these are the two most effective media for promoting LTOs, even though TV advertising reaches more consumers. Think posters and menu inserts first. Join Simplot+ to access our free LTO Calendar Marketing Kit.

• Keep it simple. Operators say the best LTOs are the ones that are easy to execute and use ingredients they already have on hand. Avoid anything that requires complicated instructions, difficult-to-source ingredients and special equipment. Given the scarcity of labor, operators should consider prepared products.

• Think of more than burger and shake LTOs. Consumer interest is high in a wide variety of LTO items, with appetizers, meat entrées and desserts at the top of the list.

• Consumers want more than seasonal LTOs. Of course, seasonal LTOs remain popular, but those with fresh ingredients, premium ingredients, and unique flavors rank at the top of consumers’ wish lists. Other highly desired LTOs include new twists on familiar dishes, rarely available ingredients, nostalgic items, regional/local flavors, hand-crafted items, and over-the top-items.

• Include your customers in the process. 35+ year old consumers are more likely to be influenced by a sensory experience (i.e. tasting or smelling), whereas 18-34 year olds are more likely to be influenced by seeing the fry in marketing materials.⁵ What better way to reduce the risk of a flop than by getting feedback right from the source?

Sign into Simplot+ to view and download the 2026 LTO planning calendar.

¹ Technomic Q3 2025 Consumer and Operator Outlook
² Technomic FSPP 2025
³ Technomic Ignite Menu 2025
⁴ Datassential State of the LTO, 2025
⁵ Consumer & Operator Omnibus, 2025