Restaurant operators have five weeks to turn World Cup 2026 traffic into real revenue. That’s a longer runway than most big sports events, and it comes with a specific set of challenges: larger parties, earlier match windows, international guests who may be unfamiliar with U.S. tipping norms, and a service flow that has to stay tight when the room fills up fast.
SpotOn, a restaurant technology and financial services company, just published a data report built from real POS activity. The findings show that operators are already moving: beverage items are driving 65% of World Cup-themed menu additions, merchandise and fan items represent another 27%, and World Cup prep is showing up in 25 states, not just host cities.
One standout example: Brewhouse Cafe in Atlanta, voted America’s best soccer bar, switched their point-of-sale to SpotOn before the tournament. Owner Humberto Bermudez put it plainly: “At the end of these huge events, the separation between profit and loss is going to be huge.”
The report also breaks down five practical steps operators can take now: build match-day specials that are easy to execute, promote the tournament as a series instead of a single game, staff for spikes not averages, make checkout easier for international guests, and turn tournament traffic into repeat business.
The full report is worth sharing with any restaurant operator heading into the summer. Restaurant Dive covered it today as well, which gives partners an additional third-party reference point.
About SpotOn
SpotOn is one of the leading software and payment companies, providing the technology and support that helps local businesses—and the people who run them—to succeed on their own terms. Known for its flexible, cloud-based technology and personalized support, SpotOn offers an end-to-end platform to accept payments, boost revenue, streamline operations, and create exceptional guest experiences. From seamless and efficient point-of-sale systems to integrated restaurant management solutions, SpotOn builds technology that “works the way you work” and backs it up with a 24/7 team of experts that make sure it always does—with fairness, flexibility, and a personal touch. For more information, visit www.spoton.com.
This content was written and provided by our partners at SpotOn.
