Restaurant Week returns to the Midlands October 8-18
September 25, 2026
The South Carolina Restaurant & Lodging Association (SCRLA) announced the return of Restaurant Week Midlands, taking place from October 8-18, 2026. As an 11-day culinary showcase celebrating the region’s vibrant dining scene, this campaign is engineered to fill dining rooms across the Midlands during the fall shoulder season.
With preparation well underway, the SCRLA invites local operators – from Columbia, Cayce, Forest Acres, Irmo, Lexington, West Columbia, and surrounding areas – to join in on the momentum. Participating in Restaurant Week is a proven way to connect with thousands of active diners, ensuring your tables stay busy while contributing to a region-wide celebration of local food.
Restaurant Week Midlands is more than just our area’s favorite fall foodie event: it is also a massive, multi-channel marketing engine funded and promoted to drive immediate foot traffic directly to your tables. Operators who choose not to participate are walking away from guaranteed revenue and missing a rare opportunity to leverage industry-wide promotional momentum.
- Turn Key Marketing Powerhouse: Joining the campaign plugs your restaurant into a comprehensive, region-wide marketing blitz featuring digital advertising, social media campaigns, public relations, and email marketing reaching tens of thousands of local food enthusiasts.
- Acquire New Loyal Customers: Thousands of diners actively use Restaurant Week to discover new spots. By participating, you capture an audience you otherwise wouldn’t reach – turning first-time promotional diners into year-round regulars.
- Boost Off-Peak Revenue: October is prime time to elevate weekday covers and drive profitable traffic through customizable, high-margin multi-course menus tailored precisely to your kitchen’s goals.
- Zero Creative Risk, Total Flexibility: The promotion is designed to fit your business model. Whether you are a fine dining destination or a casual neighborhood favorite, you control your menu, pricing, and execution.
The Bottom Line: When hungry diners open the official Restaurant Week guide, will they find your restaurant – or will they book a table down the street? Don’t let your competitors capture the buzz and revenue that belongs to you.
Registration is open now for Midlands restauranteurs looking to maximize their fall revenue.
“Restaurant Week Midlands is a proven economic driver that puts local kitchens front and center,” said Mark Newman, President and CEO of the SCRLA. “The marketing machine is fully in motion. Restaurants that register now ensure they capture maximum exposure, while those that wait risk missing out entirely on a campaign designed specifically to fill their seats.”
Restaurateurs can review participation details and secure their spots today by visiting the official page for Restaurant Week registration.
For diners, menus and the complete list of participating Midlands restaurants will be updated continuously on the official Restaurant Week website as the event approaches.
We extend our sincere thanks to the City of Columbia, Richland County, and Experience Columbia SC for their invaluable support in bringing Restaurant Week Midlands to life and driving economic growth across our local hospitality community.
Media Resources: Restaurant Week Midlands Square | Restaurant Week Midlands Banner | Restaurant Week Logo
About the South Carolina Restaurant and Lodging Association (SCRLA)
For more than 80 years, the South Carolina Restaurant and Lodging Association (SCRLA) has served as the unified voice of the state’s $32+ billion foodservice and lodging industries. As a statewide nonprofit trade association, SCRLA represents thousands of hotel, motel, restaurant, and supplier members. The organization is dedicated to promoting, protecting, and advancing the growth and success of South Carolina’s hospitality industry through government advocacy, educational programming, workforce development, and operational benefits. For more information, visit scrla.org
