Name the new flavor
Difficulty: EasyBest on: Instagram and in store
- Concept
- Before launching a new cake, cookie or drink, ask customers to name it. Staff pick the winning name with set criteria. The winner sees their name on the menu board.
- How to enter
- Comment a name or write it on a card at the counter. Staff score the names on fit, fun and how easy they are to say, and the top score wins.
- Prize idea
- The named item free once a week for a month (about $20 to $40).
- Avoid
- Don't only read the online entries. Put the counter cards and the comments into one list before judging.
A coffee a week for a year
Difficulty: EasyBest on: Instagram and Facebook
- Concept
- Give away one drink a week for a year, on a card the winner shows at the counter. It sounds like a big prize but costs little each week. The winner becomes a regular.
- How to enter
- Comment your usual order on the post. Draw one winner at random and hand over a stamp card.
- Prize idea
- 52 drinks over a year (about $200 to $300 in menu value).
- Avoid
- Don't leave the terms open. Say one drink per week, which drinks count and that it can't be swapped for cash.
Guess the beans in the jar
Difficulty: EasyBest on: In store
- Concept
- Fill a big jar with coffee beans or mini cookies and put it on the counter. Customers guess how many are inside, and the closest guess wins. It gives the morning line something to talk about.
- How to enter
- Write a guess and a first name on a card at the counter. No purchase needed. If two guesses tie, draw one of them at random.
- Prize idea
- A bag of your beans plus a $20 gift card (about $40).
- Avoid
- Don't count after the guesses come in. Count first, write the number down and seal it.
Latte art throwdown
Difficulty: HardBest on: In store
- Concept
- Host an evening latte art contest for local baristas and keen home brewers. Customers watch while a panel judges each round. It fills a quiet evening and shows off your coffee.
- How to enter
- Sign up at the counter or online, up to 16 entrants. Pair them in a bracket, and judges pick the winner of each round on symmetry, contrast and creativity.
- Prize idea
- $100 and a bag of beans each month for three months (about $150).
- Avoid
- Don't charge an entry fee without checking the rules first. Keep it free and cover the prize yourself.
Birthday cake for someone special
Difficulty: MediumBest on: Facebook and Instagram
- Concept
- Ask followers to nominate someone with a birthday coming up who could use a treat. Draw one nomination at random and deliver a cake. The delivery photo makes a warm post.
- How to enter
- Comment the person's first name and why they deserve a cake. Contact the nominator privately to arrange delivery.
- Prize idea
- A custom cake (about $40 to $70).
- Avoid
- Don't turn up unannounced. Arrange the delivery with the nominator or the person first.
Customer bake-off
Difficulty: HardBest on: In store
- Concept
- Invite home bakers to bring a cake on a theme, like autumn spices. Your pastry team judges blind tastings. It brings home bakers and their families into the shop.
- How to enter
- Register online, then bring the bake on the day with a card listing its allergens. Judges taste without names and score flavor, texture and looks.
- Prize idea
- A $75 gift card and the winning bake on your menu for a week (about $75).
- Avoid
- Don't sell or serve the entries to customers. Keep tastings to the judges unless you've checked your food safety rules.
Chalkboard trivia
Difficulty: EasyBest on: In store
- Concept
- Write a daily trivia question on the chalkboard. Customers write the answer on a slip, and one correct slip is drawn each Friday. Regulars start looking for the question each morning.
- How to enter
- Write the answer and a first name on a slip and drop it in the box. Slips sit on the counter, so anyone can enter without ordering. Draw one correct slip each Friday.
- Prize idea
- A free drink and pastry each week (about $10 a week).
- Avoid
- Don't hand slips out only with orders. Leave them on the counter so anyone can enter.
Pastry box for a local team
Difficulty: EasyBest on: Facebook Page post
- Concept
- Each month, deliver a pastry box to a local team: a fire station, a school office or a clinic. Followers suggest the team, and you draw one suggestion. Your name lands in front of a whole workplace.
- How to enter
- Comment the team you would like to treat and why. Draw one suggestion at random and call the team before delivering.
- Prize idea
- A box of a dozen pastries (about $40 to $60).
- Avoid
- Don't deliver without checking. Some workplaces can't accept food gifts, so ask first.
Holiday pre-order countdown
Difficulty: EasyBest on: Instagram
- Concept
- Before holiday pre-orders open, run a short countdown giveaway for a free holiday pie or cake. It reminds followers that pre-orders open soon. The winner collects with the first batch.
- How to enter
- Comment your favorite holiday bake before the countdown ends. Draw one winner when pre-orders open.
- Prize idea
- A holiday pie or cake (about $30 to $50).
- Avoid
- Don't draw on your busiest baking day. Draw a few days earlier, so you can plan the extra cake.
Mug number one
Difficulty: MediumBest on: Instagram
- Concept
- Start a wall of numbered mugs for regulars and give the first one away. The winner's mug hangs on a hook behind the counter. Other regulars will ask how to get one.
- How to enter
- Comment why you should get mug number one. Staff pick the winner from the comments using a scorecard for story and fun.
- Prize idea
- Mug number one with free refills for a month (about $40 to $60).
- Avoid
- Don't promise refills forever. Put the refill period and limits in the rules.
School bake sale weekend
Difficulty: MediumBest on: In store
- Concept
- Host a local school's bake sale table in your shop for a weekend, and the school keeps everything its table raises. Add a free draw for a celebration cake that anyone can enter at the counter. The school brings its families, and you bring the cake.
- How to enter
- Write a name on a card at the counter during the weekend; no order needed. Draw one card at the end of the weekend.
- Prize idea
- A celebration cake (about $50 to $80).
- Avoid
- Don't tie the draw to buying from the bake sale. Keep it free, so it stays a giveaway.
Questions and answers
What's a good giveaway prize for a coffee shop?
Something that brings the winner back: a drink a week, a pastry box or a bag of your beans. Repeat prizes keep the winner visiting, and their friends notice.
Do I need to list allergens on food prizes?
List the main allergens in the post and on the prize label, and offer a swap if the winner can't eat it. It saves an awkward pickup and keeps everyone safe.
Can I give a free coffee to customers who leave a review?
No. Google's review policy doesn't allow businesses to offer incentives such as free goods for reviews, and it removes incentivized reviews. Ask for honest reviews separately.
How do I run a giveaway in store and online at once?
Put the counter cards and the online comments into one list, remove people who entered twice, and draw once with the random winner generator.
How long should a food prize be valid?
Set a pickup window, like 30 days, and put it in the rules. For cakes, ask for a few days' notice so you can bake it fresh.