Restaurant Week GR
November 7-15, 2025

One of the most gratifying things about Restaurant Week GR is the number of people who try new-to-them eateries during the nine-day promotion. That makes it a great opportunity to turn first-timers into regulars and build your customer base. At the same time, regulars are looking for something out of the ordinary from their favorite restaurants.

That’s why we’re encouraging you to create a special RWGR menu featuring items you don’t currently offer. You can choose to offer any combination of at least two courses priced at $25, $35 or $45. Of course, the higher the price, the more your guests will expect to be dazzled!

We know that staffing and food costs continue to be a challenge, so we’re waving many of the financial commitments you’ve been asked to make in prior years.

Please join us for the city’s premier culinary event of the year. Please contact Jaylyn McCloy if you have any questions.

2025 Information

Download the 2025 Restaurant Week GR Information Sheet, or learn more below.

Sign Up Now

2025 Menu Format Options

Each restaurant will offer a prix fixe menu in one (or more) price tiers:

$25
$35
$45

Meals must be a minimum of two courses but you can be as creative as you want beyond that: 3-course appetizer, entrée & dessert; 2-course appetizer & entrée; 2-course entrée & dessert; etc. We encourage you to offer related add-ons, e.g. a beer, cocktail or dessert for $X extra. Think of ways to upsell while still delivering great VALUE to your guests. NOTE: These prices do not include tax, tip or beverage.

Menu Guidelines

We recommend:

Unique Menu Development: We encourage you to create a special Restaurant Week menu with unique items not featured on your regular menu. This is not a requirement but restaurants who do so will be prioritized for media interviews.
Variety of Options: We have seen a direct correlation between more offerings and increased sales during Restaurant Week GR. We strongly suggest that you offer at least two options per course.
Local Products: Please use and highlight local products as much as possible in your Restaurant Week menu.

Marketing Support

Participating restaurants will benefit from a flurry of online, TV/radio, print and outdoor advertising/ publicity, and also receive these in-store materials:

Coasters*
Promotional Rack Cards*
Promotional Poster*
Window Clings*
Table Tents
Staff t-shirts for first 60 restaurants to sign up

Note: *Spanish-language versions available upon request.

We are asking diners to check in to restaurants using Bandwango technology on their smartphones. We are once again incentivizing diners to visit multiple locations by offering a variety of free gifts through the digital pass. Diners will be encouraged to order from the special RWGR menu, but it is not required to check in. Diners can also use Bandwango to vote for their favorite participating restaurant. The winning eatery will receive a suitable-for-display plaque.

Philanthropic Aspect

Gordon Food Service will contribute $1 per every RWGR check-in to an endowed scholarship at GRCC Secchia Institute for Culinary Education, up to $5,000. The winner of the public vote will have an additional $250 donated to the school in their name. Since 2010, RWGR has raised more than $165,000 for the scholarship fund – helping ensure a steady pipeline of culinary talent for local restaurants!

Restaurant Commitment

Partner with EXGR: You must be a partner of Experience Grand Rapids to participate in Restaurant Week GR. The $250 annual fee entitles you to a range of year-round marketing benefits. Details at ExperienceGR.com/Partners.
$50 Gift Card: OPTIONAL – you may mail a $50 gift card to Experience Grand Rapids to be used for additional marketing support. This is not required.
Officially sign-up here. You will need your full Restaurant Week GR menu and the menu price point to complete the sign up. You will also be asked to create a 4 digit pin number that will be used for guests to check in.
Train Serving Staff: On Restaurant Week procedures; present the RWGR menu to all guests during Restaurant Week GR 2025.

If you choose to send a gift card, please mail to:

Experience Grand Rapids
Attn: Restaurant Week GR
171 Monroe Ave NW Suite 545
Grand Rapids, MI 49503

Not quite ready to officially sign up but know that you want to participate? Email Jaylyn a quick note to let her know that you are "in" and we will be sure you are included on all of our lists!