Dining out is a mainstay of American life. With an estimated 750,000 restaurants to choose from, diners in the US have no shortage of options.
Competition in the food industry can be fierce, and marketing for restaurants is getting more sophisticated every year. Display ads and occasional posts on social media aren’t enough in the cutthroat world of hospitality—you need a comprehensive marketing strategy. If you don’t have the time or staff resources to devote to marketing, consider hiring an expert.
To build a marketing strategy, you need to know what your competition is up to. We’ve compiled this list of marketing trends for restaurants along with tips to help you glean insights into how businesses are marketing to consumers in the digital age. Here are 10 food industry marketing trends to keep an eye on..
Partnering with local influencers can amplify your restaurant’s visibility and attract a broader audience. Influencers have dedicated followings who trust their recommendations, making them powerful allies in your marketing strategy.
Start by identifying influencers whose values and aesthetics align with your brand. Look for food bloggers, local celebrities, or even micro-influencers with engaged followers in your community. Collaborations can take many forms, from hosting influencer events at your restaurant to featuring them in your social media content.
Influencer marketing is one of the hottest new trends in the restaurant industry. An influencer marketing agency can help you find the right influencers for your brand—and create and manage your influencer campaigns, from start to finish.
Short-form video content on platforms like TikTok, Instagram Reels, and YouTube is one of the most popular trends in the restaurant industry. Quick, engaging videos are a powerful way to grab attention and highlight your restaurant’s unique offerings.
Try creating behind-the-scenes clips, chef features, or customer testimonials to give potential diners a taste of what they can expect. Consistency is key in short-form video marketing. Regularly posting content keeps your audience engaged and encourages them to visit your restaurant.
Leverage trending hashtags and challenges to increase your reach. For example, participate in a popular TikTok food challenge—or create your own. Engage with your audience through comments and shares to boost your visibility even more and build a loyal community around your brand.
User-generated content (UGC) is a potential goldmine when it comes to restaurant marketing trends. When customers share photos of their meals and experiences, they provide authentic, relatable content that can attract new patrons.
Encourage your customers to post their dining experiences on social media by creating a unique hashtag for your restaurant. You can also run photo contests or offer incentives like discounts or freebies for customers who share their photos and tag your restaurant.
Feature UGC on your social media channels and website to show potential customers real-life experiences from the perspective of fellow diners. Make a point to actively engage with users who create content and thank them for sharing their posts. This can help you strengthen relationships with your audience.
With the explosive growth of artificial intelligence (AI), it’s no surprise that AI is one of the top restaurant marketing trends of this year. AI is proving to be a game changer for the restaurant industry, offering unprecedented insights into guest behavior.
AI can help you understand the preferences, purchasing habits, and dining patterns of your patrons. With this information you can tailor your menu and optimize your inventory to improve the guest experience.
AI isn’t just about data analysis. It also empowers you to create highly targeted marketing campaigns. For example, AI-driven platforms can segment your customer base into distinct groups, allowing you to design personalized promotions for each segment.
AI can even automate and optimize your social media posts, ensuring your content reaches the right audience at the right time. More and more, it’s becoming a key part of marketing for restaurants. For best results, make sure a team of humans are overseeing your social media management strategy.
With the rise of virtual assistants like Alexa, Siri, and Google Assistant, optimizing your online presence for voice search is a must. Voice search is changing the way people find information, and it’s crucial that your restaurant adapts to this trend.
Make sure your website content is conversational and answers common questions customers might ask, like “What are the best Italian restaurants near me?” You can achieve this with an FAQ section that addresses common voice search queries. The more your content matches natural speech patterns, the more likely it is that virtual assistants will recommend your restaurant to users.
Also be sure to claim and optimize your Google My Business (Google Business Profile) listing. Make sure your business hours, location, menu, and contact details are up to date and accurate. This not only helps with traditional searches but also enhances your visibility for voice queries.
Gamifying loyalty programs is one of the latest restaurant marketing trends. It’s a fun way to increase customer engagement and drive sales.
Try incorporating game-like elements into your loyalty program, such as earning points, achieving levels, or completing challenges. For example, you could create a points-based system where customers earn points for each visit, social media check-in, or referral. These points could then be redeemed for rewards like free appetizers, discounts, or exclusive experiences.
Or you could launch a seasonal challenge, such as a “Summer Foodie Quest,” where customers earn badges for trying new menu items. These initiatives not only incentivize repeat visits but also create a sense of community and competition among your patrons.
Gamification is one of the newest and most exciting food industry marketing trends. Don’t miss out on the opportunity to set yourself apart.
Interactive menus are changing the dining experience by making it easier for guests to access detailed information about your offerings. Restaurants are increasingly using QR codes to provide customers with a digital menu that includes photos, entrée descriptions, prices, and even nutritional information.
Interactive menus also support upselling by highlighting specials or pairing suggestions. For example, when a guest selects an entrée, the menu could suggest complementary sides or beverages.
Interactive menus can also gather valuable data about customer preferences, helping you refine your offerings to improve customer satisfaction. Embrace this technology to streamline operations and provide a modern, convenient experience for your guests.
Guest lifetime value (GLV) refers to how much revenue each guest generates throughout their relationship with your brand over time. GLV helps you understand the long-term value of your customers and considers things like purchase history, frequency of visits, and overall spending.
By analyzing this data, you can segment your customers and tailor your marketing efforts to maximize their value. For example, after identifying a group of high-value customers who frequently dine at your restaurant, you can create exclusive offers or loyalty programs specifically for this group, encouraging them to return more often.
You can also use personalized email campaigns with special offers, promotions, or invitations to exclusive events to show your best customers you value and appreciate their business. GLV is a valuable tool that can help you allocate your marketing resources more effectively.
Integrating chatbots into your website and/or mobile app can improve the guest experience while streamlining your operations. Chatbots can handle a variety of tasks, from managing reservations to answering common questions and offering personalized recommendations. Chatbots can help ensure your customers receive prompt and accurate responses, day or night.
For example, a chatbot can assist customers in making reservations, checking availability, or even placing orders for delivery or takeout. It can also provide information about menu items, dietary restrictions, and specials, ensuring that customers have all the information they need at their fingertips. By automating these tasks, you free up your staff to focus on providing excellent in-person service, ultimately improving customer satisfaction.
Customers expect to be able to order online these days, especially at restaurants that offer take-out and delivery services. Online ordering systems allow customers to place and track their orders online, freeing up your staff to do other things.
Make sure your online ordering system is mobile-friendly and integrates seamlessly with your website and app. Include clear images, detailed descriptions, and customization options for each menu item.
Also consider offering incentives like discounts or loyalty points for customers who use your online ordering system. This encourages repeat business while providing you with valuable data about customer preferences and purchasing behavior.
We hope you’ve found this list of restaurant marketing trends, tips, and insights helpful. The team at Socialfly is ready to help you take your restaurant marketing to new heights.
From paid media management to influencer marketing, our team uses the latest tactics and data-driven insights to help you succeed. Find out why our clients love us and get in touch to start building your marketing strategy.
