The market growth dilemma in Broadway shows seemed to be declining. The live performance theater industry's market size stagnated from 2022 to 2024, with an average of 33.47 percent, which signifies a downturn for the upcoming years.

So, to continue the live performance thriving, a good show paired with the best food seemed to be a smart move.

Having food stalls can be a good start if you want to test the waters before launching food sections in your theater house.

See to it that the food you’ll serve can attract people by checking out what’s on the social media food trends.

This is to ensure that your offerings will align with the tastes of your target audience.

Here is a complete guide you can use to help you plan out this creative addition to your business as well as the use of technologies like smart QR code menus and other digital tools to advance your workflow.

5 effective strategies to attract customers in a theater house

Thematic food stalls

Creating thematic food stalls that reflect the play or musical you’re highlighting extends the theater experience of the viewers beyond the performances.

This creates a deeper sense of immersion in what the show is all about.

So, if the play is set in 18th-century France, such as Le Misérables, you could offer French pastries, croissants, and rustic bread paired with cheese.

Style the stalls with a touch of French assets, decor, and pieces that show bits of the play.

Incorporating a smart QR codes menu for fast orders

Speaking of convenience, incorporating a smart QR code menu at theater food stalls can significantly enhance the efficiency of the dining experience.

During high-traffic periods, particularly before the show and during the intermission, expect a long queue just for the people to secure orders.

Providing QR codes allows them to access the full menu, place their orders, and even pay instantly without having to wait in lines.

This not only speeds up the service but also reduces congestion, making the food stalls more accessible to everyone.

Pre-show and intermission snacks

Offer quick, easy-to-eat items that people can enjoy before the show or during intermission.

Finger foods like popcorn and sliders can be good options. To tailor your offerings to the latest trends, you can use various social media food trends in the industry.

Craft your menu with items that will not disrupt the viewing experience, such as crunchy and strong-smelling food.

Collaboration with local restaurants

If you’re running a small theater house and don’t have the capacity yet to establish your own snack bar, seek partnerships with popular local restaurants.

Collaborate with them by providing a space where they can install food stalls, offering special deals to theatergoers.

This can add variety to your in-house snacks and also tap into the restaurant’s existing customer base, drawing more curious people to the experience.

Pre-show packages

Bundle tickets with food packages are a wise marketing strategy.

You can incentivize viewers who arrive earlier by offering them drinks and snacks of their choice based on the package's limit.

This streamlines the audience experience. Theatergoers often look for convenience, and having a pre-arranged food option saves them the trouble of finding a place to eat before the show.

Theaters can extremely appeal to those looking fora more complete night out to enjoy the rest of the show without worries.

Leveraging social media food trends to strengthen strategies

As the food industry continues to seek evolution, so do the food stalls you’re going to offer. That’s why you need to take advantage of the changes that occur around the industry itself.

Here’s a list of strategies you can use for social media and food trends effectively:

Create a menu based on food trends on social media

Develop a menu based on social media food trends so that you can tap into your target audience’s interests.

The first thing you need to do is to identify trending dishes across all social media channels. These could be fusion food, plant-based meals, or viral recipes that help you attract viewers who are constantly on the lookout for the latest viral food.

Feel free to give your twist that reflects your brand’s personality, keeping your menu fresh and exciting.

Host social media challenges

Choose a fun, shareable theme that aligns with the show or play.

Have a set of rules, including the use of your brand’s personalized hashtag and tagging your account.

Once set, offer enticing prizes like free meals or gift cards, which they can use either for the upcoming shows or right after the end of the play.

Don’t forget to promote the challenges across all your social media accounts for better visibility.

Engage with user-generated content about social media trends in the food industry

Build authentic connections with your viewers through user-generated content to amplify your theater house’s reach.

The photos, reviews, or videos shared by the audience on social media can create a sense of community and trust around your business.

In fact, people are more likely to trust recommendations from other consumers, with 79 percent saying UGC highly impacts their purchasing decisions.

Sharing this kind of content showcases authenticity in your marketing efforts.

Use trend-driven visual content

Use tech-driven visual content to help you capture attention and engage your audience effectively.

Stay updated on the latest food trends on social media and incorporate them into visually appealing posts.

High-quality images of trendy food or behind-the-scenes content of your food preparation are particularly effective.

Leverage popular trends like aesthetic plating, food close-ups, or dynamic cooking videos to attract viewers.

Go viral with your strategies using smart QR code menu technology

One effective way to make the most out of your marketing efforts is to have with you a helping hand — a smart QR code menu.

This can help you reach a wider audience by allowing you to use various advanced tools that come with it without having to pay extra.

Here’s how you can maximize this:

● Create a digital menu

Accessible through QR codes, you can include these in your social media posts, thereby increasing the visibility of your other menus.

● Add social media accounts to your website

With your additional information hub, those who connect with you can now have access to your social media accounts, where they can view your content in various channels.

● Run promotions

You can effectively run promos and special deals as part of creating buzz on social media. But the gist here is that it does not require complex steps, so it’s also easier for theatergoers to avail themselves of them.

Final thoughts

Theaters have been declining since the boost of digital viewing services. As a result, people often shift from experiencing shows on-site to watching from their screens.

You have to keep up with the industry, particularly in social media food trends and upgrades, to stay ahead of changing customer behavior, preferences, and interests.

This step is crucial to maximizing your business's potential despite the constant demand for evolution in food, production, and operation.

Having a wingman-like smart QR code menu technology is a smart choice to survive this cutthroat culinary war.

So, embrace the trend and make a move to put a mark on the digital map.