Franchise Owners Can Attract Customers With Discounts and Special Events on Jan. 20
On Monday, Jan. 20, Donald Trump and JD Vance will officially take office as president and vice president of the United States. This marks the 60th presidential inauguration — a time-honored tradition that symbolizes the peaceful transfer of power in American democracy.
Originally, Inauguration Day was held on March 4. However, it was moved to January 20 to minimize the transition period between Election Day and Inauguration Day under the Twentieth Amendment. In 1937, Franklin D. Roosevelt was the first U.S. president sworn into office in January following the amendment’s ratification in 1933.
For franchise business owners, Inauguration Day is a great opportunity to commemorate this special occasion with creative, non-political marketing that positively celebrates the day. From patriotic sales and specials to live events and social media campaigns, here are five non-political marketing ideas for entrepreneurs in honor of Inauguration Day 2025.
5 Non-Political Marketing Ideas for Inauguration Day 2025
1. Offer a Sale on American-Made Products
No matter your political persuasion, Inauguration Day offers franchise business owners a unique opportunity to show their patriotism. One way to do this is by offering discounts on American-made products sold at their business. For example, coffee franchise owners can discount their American-roasted coffee to show their patriotism and boost sales.
2. Host a Special Event
Hosting a community event on Jan. 20 is a great way to attract customers to your business. This can include a patriotic concert outside of your restaurant or retail store to boost visibility in the community. Promoting the event on social media is the best way to create awareness. Additionally, encouraging participants to follow your business on social media can increase your online presence.
3. Inauguration Day Themed Specials
Consider offering customers freebies on certain products or services to generate buzz for your business on Inauguration Day. This can include a free menu item from the Inauguration Day themed menu at your restaurant. You could also consider offering free American flag stickers to everyone who comes into your retail store or schedules an estimate with your home services franchise on Jan. 20.
4. Social Media Campaign
Social media plays an important role in marketing for any business. A creative way to engage with your social media followers on Jan. 20 is to reward customers for tagging your business in a post. When someone enjoys a free patriotic menu item from your restaurant or purchases a discounted item from your retail store, they can enter for a chance to win a gift card or get a special code for a discount that can be used at a future visit. Customers of all political persuasions will likely enjoy engaging with your business this Inauguration Day if you make it fun and give them a reason to come back.
5. Partner With a Business in Your Community
Partnering with a complimentary business in your community is win-win for everyone involved. Gym franchise owners, for example, can collaborate with retail businesses that sell health supplements and offer a special discount for purchasing a gym membership on Jan. 20. The gym owner can discount the membership by 47% or offer an entire year for $17.76 as a fun nod to the presidency and the founding of the country. By partnering with another local business, you can increase your visibility and build trust and loyalty within the community.
