Easy Staff Incentives for Sales Targets (That Actually Work in Pubs)
Want to motivate your team to smash those upsell goals — without spreadsheets, awkward bonus schemes, or grumbling at the staff meeting?
This blog shares real-life incentive ideas that pubs and bars use to boost food and drink sales, energize their team, and still keep things human. These aren’t about pressure or top-down targets — they’re simple ideas that make upselling feel like part of the fun.
From themed drink deals to low-effort team competitions, these tactics are built for speed, smiles, and repeat wins.
🧠 Why Staff Incentives Work (When They're Actually Fun)
Great hospitality staff already upsell naturally — a smile, a suggestion, a “fancy a double?” But even the best teams lose energy without motivation. That’s where easy, creative incentives come in:
- ✅ Keep staff focused on key items
- ✅ Spark friendly team competition
- ✅ Drive higher spend per head
- ✅ Build morale and retention
Best of all? It doesn’t have to involve charts or tracking software. A whiteboard and some buzz can go a long way.
🥇 Pub-Proven Incentive Ideas
1. The ‘Every Sale Counts’ Raffle
Rather than rewarding just the top seller (which can feel unfair), reward entries into a draw:
- 1 upsell = 1 raffle ticket
- Pull a winner every Friday after shift
- Prizes = gift cards, cash, drinks tab, early finish
This makes even shy or new staff feel they’ve got a shot — which boosts participation.
Great for:
- Signature cocktails
- Desserts or coffee upsells
- Quiz night signups or app downloads
🎯 Use printed tally sheets or token jars — no tech needed.
2. Team Goals with a Shared Payoff
Want your staff to collaborate, not compete? Set a shared challenge:
- “Sell 100 cocktails by Saturday night”
- “Get 30 people to sign up for VIP text club”
If they do it, reward the whole team with something tangible:
- Pizza and prosecco after shift
- Bonus in their next pay packet
- Weekend lie-in (later shift starts)
These goals build energy and momentum without creating rivalry.
🧠 Use SmartPubTools’ Staff Briefing Generator to include targets in your pre-shift plans.
3. Mystery Menu Challenge
Each week, pick one menu item and label it secretly as the “Golden Item.”
Whoever sells it first in the night or shift gets a mystery prize — a scratch card, envelope draw, pint, or just some sweet recognition from the manager.
It keeps staff engaged and curious, and doesn’t rely on tallies.
📌 Change the item weekly. Announce only after the first win. Rinse, repeat.
4. Consistency Club: Reward the Regular Hustlers
Some staff don’t sprint — they slow-burn brilliance. Track who hits mini targets consistently over a whole month:
- E.g., “Sell at least 3 upsells per shift, 3+ shifts a week”
- Reward: guaranteed weekend off, top pick on rota, bottle of bubbly, extra break
This type of incentive is great for building a reliable, motivated team.
📋 Create your own poster in minutes with SmartPubTools’ drag-and-drop Leaderboard Poster Template.
📣 How to Keep Incentives Visible & Exciting
Even the best ideas flop if staff forget about them. So:
- Mention goals at lineup or briefing
- Use break-room whiteboards to track progress
- Put a printout on the staff loo door if needed 😄
And don’t forget to celebrate even small wins. That social “buzz” is the real reward.
🧠 Build Your System (Even Without Tech)
You don’t need staff tracking software — just:
- A good idea
- A reward
- And a way to keep it visible
💡 Use SmartPubTools to:
- Create checklists that include sales prompts
- Print leaderboards and fun recognition posters
- Add banter lines for MCs to plug key items during quiz nights
Whether you’re trying to move more mocktails, sell extra sauces, or boost bookings, the right incentive can get your team doing it because they want to.
🚀 Want More Than Just Tips?
You’ve got the vibe. We’ll give you the tools to make it work.
✅ Use SmartPubTools to generate upsell posters, set staff briefings, and run smoother shifts every week.
📖 Related Reading:
- Quiz Night SOP: Staff Setup & Hosting Guide
- How to Upsell Quiz Night Customers (Without Annoying Them)
- Ultimate Quiz Night Ideas (With AI Auto-Generator)
Raise the energy. Increase the spend. And make it fun again.
