How Do Holiday Operations Work?

Holidays can bring temporary adjustments that affect handover times, production schedules, or reschedules. Knowing what to expect helps you plan staffing and workflow so you can stay aligned and deliver consistently—without surprises.

Note: This information is only applicable for U.S. operations. Canada (Toronto) operates business as usual without modifications.

🧭 What Holidays Should You Plan Around?

Most U.S. holidays do not affect regular operations—but in cases where adjustments are needed, they’re primarily driven by courier availability. Market size can also play a role in how reschedules are applied.

When changes happen, CookUnity prioritizes minimizing disruption for both your experience and the customer’s—aiming to maintain smooth operations and reliable delivery.

Here’s a breakdown of key holidays to keep on your radar:

Month	Holiday	Operational Notes
January	New Year’s Day (Jan 1)	Part of a busy week with high demand. Operations usually stay open with adjusted schedules. Chefs are encouraged to fully participate. Small markets may vary.
	Martin Luther King Jr. Day (3rd Mon)	Typically runs with normal schedules.
February	Presidents’ Day (3rd Mon)	Typically runs with normal schedules.
May	Memorial Day (Last Mon)	Operations continue, but volume may shift—expect busier production days before/after the holiday.
July	Independence Day (July 4)	Adjustments vary by market. Schedules may shift, but plan for business as usual unless otherwise notified.
September	Labor Day (1st Mon)	Normal operations in most markets, but production flow may change. Plan as if it’s a regular week unless told otherwise.
November	Thanksgiving Day (4th Thu)	No pause in operations. Kitchen schedule adjusts at start of the cycle. Expect 1–2 busier-than-normal production days due to volume redistribution.
December	Christmas Day (Dec 25)	One day (usually Dec 25) is closed. The rest of the week runs on a modified schedule. Volume redistribution will increase workload on surrounding days.

🔁 What Adjustments Should You Expect?

Adjustments depend on market size and local logistics—large and small markets may follow different plans. Here’s what might change during holiday weeks:

• Handover times may shift temporarily
• If a holiday aligns with your Kitchen Day, operations typically continue—but with a modified schedule
• Production may scale up or down based on demand and courier availability
• Volume redistribution may lead to busier-than-normal production days before or after the holiday

📣 You’ll always be notified about reschedules and logistics changes at least 6 weeks in advance, so you can confirm availability and make any necessary updates before menu planning begins.

✅ How Should You Prepare?

• Review holiday updates carefully to see if your Kitchen Day or production schedule is impacted
• Confirm team availability early—time-off is rarely approved during modified or peak weeks
• Modifications aren’t allowed after menu lock, so plan ahead to ensure smooth execution
• Prepare for the extraordinary: consider overtime pay, incentives, or other support to keep your team staffed and motivated—especially during high-risk no-show periods
• Stay flexible: some weeks may bring higher or lower volume depending on holiday timing and customer behavior
   

Final Thought:
By staying alert to holiday guidance and prepping ahead, you’ll protect your operations and make the most of peak demand.

Consistent planning = consistent success—even during the holidays.

Still have questions? We’ve got your back—reach out to us anytime at [e-mail].