This post is sponsored by DoorDash
From the first puck drop in October through the playoffs, hockey season brings Albertans together. Every table needs food, snacks, and drinks. Game nights provide a built-in schedule and a dedicated group of hungry fans, creating some of the most predictable, high-volume ordering windows during winter. Here are a few ways to maximize your delivery experience.
Build for group orders:
Bundle shareable items (wings, nacho platters, slider trays, dips) into packs that feed groups of people rather than just focusing on duos.
Name items “Game Night Pack” or include a description like “Feeds 4-6” to help hosts order with confidence.
Plan around puck drop:
Orders often come in waves: before the game and between periods. Staff accordingly for these windows to preserve the guest experience.
Pre-portion sauces and batch popular sides to make rushes easier to handle.
Consider adjusting your prep-time settings or pausing briefly to prevent orders from piling up during high-demand windows.
Choose items that travel well:
Items that hold heat and texture, like wings and sliders, tend to travel best during delivery.
Vented containers, sturdy trays, and sealed sauce cups help food arrive in great shape. Dips on the side also make an easy add-on.
Make the offer easy to find:
Bright photos, short descriptions, and a spot near the top of your menu can help game-night packs get noticed.
A game-day promotion, such as a bundle discount, a free add-on, or an “order early for puck drop” message, could bring in new customers and give regulars a reason to reorder.
Think beyond the living room:
If your kitchen can handle the volume, larger trays and clearly labelled group options may open up new orders for office settings, community events, or beyond.
Review what worked:
Merchant Portal insights on DoorDash can show top bundles, peak times, new customers, and ratings over time.
Use what you learn to keep your most impactful items, rework the rest, and fine-tune timing and staffing to optimize for your own business goals.
Want help building a game-night strategy for your restaurant?
Reach out to Denia Pavlatou (denia.pavlatou@doordash.com) to start the conversation.