No doubt your restaurant has hosted fans for Sunday (and Monday and Thursday) football before. But this year, restaurants are still coping with staffing shortages. And while guests have returned to dining out, they're watching their wallets in an uncertain economy. They want to make sure they're getting good value for their money.

In other words, this year is different. So even if you've hosted the NFL Sunday Ticket from EverPass on DIRECTV FOR BUSINESS before, it's still good to review your plans to ensure this year's sports season provides the entertainment content, value, and enjoyment that will keep your guests coming back week after week, season after season.

Restaurants score with DIRECTV NFL Sunday Ticket from EverPass

Sure, football brings in customers, but did you know what a significant difference it makes? In 2021, the NFL regular season games ranked as the top 91 of the 100 top telecasts on TV. Last year, two hundred million people tuned in for Super Bowl LVII, meaning that 60% of everyone in the U.S. watched the game.

When restaurants broadcast football games, they can capture an audience seeking excitement, food, and fun. But it takes more than just turning on the television to make the event successful. To maximize the excitement and draw of games, bars and restaurants must provide a variety of high-quality games with exciting match-ups on a weekly basis throughout the season and NFL Sunday Ticket does just that, available to DIRECTV for Business customers through their partnership with EverPass Media

With the NFL Sunday Ticket, restaurants can show every live game on Sunday for out-of-market Sunday afternoon games. Combined with DIRECTV local channels, restaurants can also show in-market and national NFL games, giving patrons a buffet of gridiron-watching options.

Sports bars that subscribe to the NFL Sunday Ticket from EverPass on DIRECTV FOR BUSINESS draw in 22% more people than on other weekends. According to the NFL Profit Calculator from DIRECTV FOR BUSINESS, restaurants create a $23,000 incremental profit over 17 weeks compared to those not offering any NFL programming.

It's not just about the game

Although what's on the TV screen is important, when restaurants and bars broadcast NFL football, it is more than about the game, explained Jim Grandahl, Director, National Accounts, DIRECTV.

"When you go to a restaurant for the first time, that experience is the biggest determining factor in whether you will ever go back again," he said. "When customers come in and relax by watching something on television that distracts them as they wait for a table or that actively engages them in a game with their team, it drives qualitative outcomes, including higher ticket prices, increased frequency, and less abandonment."

When people don't live near their favorite team, gathering at a restaurant or bar with fellow fans creates community, Grandahl added. "The NFL Sunday Ticket allows you to establish yourself as a place where strangers or friends can celebrate or commiserate together."

He said the environment or experience restaurants create for their customers benefits employees as well. With staffing shortages, creating an entertaining environment also helps with recruiting and retention. "We've realized that a big part of operators' work experience is being in a fun, energized environment. People in the restaurant industry want to make money. They want to serve customers, be busy, and make great tips. The more they can interact with customers, the busier they'll be, and that's self-motivating."

Keep the football party going

Part of the excitement the NFL Sunday Ticket provides is the non-stop entertainment. Even when one game ends, another one begins. Grandahl suggested that restaurants and bars can keep the party going (and the orders flowing) by mindfully switching to new games when old ones end.

"If a game is over on the East Coast, rather than switch to reruns or ESPN, flip to the second half of a West Coast game," Grandahl said. That continuation of play fills the natural pause after a game ends and people think about leaving.

He said to ask customers if they'd like another drink, dessert, or appetizer. Being attentive and interacting with customers makes them want to stick around. Grandahl added that this is where restaurateurs have to be smart and sports-centric. "When customers are being seated, it's helpful if the host asks, 'Why are you here?'" If a group has come to watch a game, the host can seat them at the high tops, near the televisions, where they can camp out, if necessary. On the other hand, if they're not there for a game, they may prefer to sit at a booth, further away from the cheering section, where the business can turn tables over faster.

Grandahl suggested promoting the NFL Sunday Ticket even when it's not Sunday. "Chili's promotes NFL Sunday Ticket during weekday happy hour, at lunchtime, and on its loyalty app. All of those build awareness that if you want to come to watch the game Sunday, we're the place to do it."

With the NFL Sunday Ticket, restaurants and bars have a competitive advantage that draws in and keeps customers and employees for an exciting, engaging experience.