November Food & Beverage Marketing: Your Complete Holiday Calendar
November isn't just about Thanksgiving anymore. For restaurants and food & beverage brands, this month offers a treasure trove of marketing opportunities that can help you connect with customers, boost engagement, and drive sales throughout the entire season.
From quirky food celebrations to meaningful awareness campaigns, here's your comprehensive guide to November's marketing moments that deserve a spot in your content calendar.
Month-Long Marketing Opportunities
Banana Pudding Lovers Month – Southern comfort food is having a moment. Feature banana pudding as a limited-time dessert, share family recipe stories, or create a modern twist on this nostalgic classic.
Gluten-Free Diet Awareness Month – With over 3 million Americans following gluten-free diets, this is the perfect time to spotlight your gluten-free menu items. Create educational content about your ingredient sourcing and preparation methods to build trust with this growing audience.
National Pepper Month – Spice things up! From mild bell peppers to scorching habaneros, celebrate the versatility of peppers with special menu items, hot sauce flights, or a "heat challenge" that gets customers talking (and sharing on social media).
National Roasting Month – Perfect timing as temperatures drop. Showcase your roasted vegetables, coffee roasting process, or slow-roasted meats. Behind-the-scenes content about your roasting techniques can be incredibly engaging.
No-Shave November – Partner with men's health charities by donating a portion of proceeds from specific menu items. Create a "Bearded Patron Special" or host a best-beard contest that generates buzz and community engagement.
Peanut Butter Lovers Month – This beloved spread deserves more than just PB&Js. Feature peanut butter in unexpected ways: craft cocktails, savory sauces, or decadent desserts. User-generated content asking customers to share their favorite peanut butter combinations can drive significant engagement.
Week-Long Campaigns Worth Planning
National Fig Week (Nov. 1-7) – Figs bring sophistication to any menu. Feature them in salads, pizzas, or cheese boards. This is an excellent opportunity for high-quality food photography that stops the scroll.
National Kindness Week (Nov. 10-16) – Launch a "pay it forward" campaign or partner with local organizations. Acts of kindness create emotional connections with your brand that transcend transactions.
National Education Week (Nov. 17-21) – Offer teacher appreciation discounts or host educational workshops about cooking, nutrition, or beverage pairing. Position your brand as a community resource.
National Hunger & Homeless Awareness Week (Nov. 17-25) – Give back meaningfully. Donate meals, host food drives, or create a special menu item where proceeds benefit local shelters. Authentic social impact campaigns resonate deeply with today's consumers.
Daily Marketing Moments That Matter
Early November Highlights
November 1st brings both National Calzone Day and World Vegan Day. Whether you're promoting your folded pizza creations or showcasing plant-based options, this double feature lets you appeal to different audience segments.
Day of the Dead (Nov. 2) offers rich cultural storytelling opportunities. If it aligns with your cuisine, create traditional ofrendas, feature special cocktails, or educate customers about this beautiful celebration.
National Sandwich Day (Nov. 3) is a must-leverage for any establishment serving handheld meals. Run a "build your own" promotion or bring back a fan-favorite sandwich for one day only.
Mid-Month Momentum
International Stout Day (Nov. 6) and National Nacho Day fall on the same day – talk about a perfect pairing! Create bundle deals that make marketing itself.
Veterans Day (Nov. 11) deserves genuine recognition. Offer military discounts and share stories from veteran employees or customers. Authenticity matters here.
National Happy Hour Day (Nov. 12) practically markets itself. Extend your happy hour, offer exclusive specials, or create a "happy hour passport" encouraging customers to visit throughout November.
World Kindness Day (Nov. 13) provides another opportunity to surprise and delight customers with random acts of kindness, free samples, or community giving.
Thanksgiving Week and Beyond
National Apple Cider Day (Nov. 18) taps into fall feelings. Hot cider bars, cider donut pairings, or hard cider flights can all drive traffic.
National Stuffing Day (Nov. 21) is brilliant pre-Thanksgiving marketing. Preview your holiday offerings or host a "stuffing showdown" featuring different regional styles.
Thanksgiving Day (Nov. 27) remains the cornerstone. Whether you're hosting, offering takeout, or closed for the holiday, communicate your plans early and often.
Black Friday (Nov. 28) has evolved beyond retail. Consider gift card bonuses, merch drops, or "leftover specials" that keep the momentum going.
Small Business Saturday (Nov. 29) is your moment to shine. Local businesses can leverage community pride with special offers, local collaborations, or shop-local campaigns.
Strategic Tips for Maximum Impact
Don't Try Everything – Choose 5-10 observances that authentically align with your brand. Quality over quantity wins in content marketing.
Plan Ahead – Create your content calendar now. Design graphics, write copy, and schedule posts in advance so you're not scrambling.
Cross-Promote – Each holiday shouldn't exist in isolation. Connect them to your brand story and overall November narrative.
Leverage User-Generated Content – Encourage customers to share their experiences with branded hashtags. Repost their content to build community.
Make It Easy to Share – Create Instagram-worthy presentations, shareable stories, and content that customers want to post themselves.
Track What Works – Monitor engagement, sales, and traffic for each campaign. These insights inform your December planning.
Final Thoughts
November offers something for every food and beverage brand. Whether you operate a coffee shop, brewery, fine dining restaurant, or fast-casual concept, these holidays provide frameworks for creative marketing that drives real business results.
The brands that win in today's market are those that make customers feel something – whether it's nostalgia, community, surprise, or joy. These November observances aren't just excuses for promotions; they're opportunities to deepen relationships with the people who keep your doors open.
So grab your calendar, rally your team, and start planning a November that your customers will remember long after the turkey comas fade.
What November holidays will you leverage? Start planning now, and watch your engagement (and sales) grow throughout this abundant month.
Looking for help bringing your November marketing to life? May Marketing Relations specializes in authentic, results-driven campaigns for food & beverage brands. Let's talk about making this your best November yet.
