How to Turn Followers into Foodies: Social Media Marketing Tips for Restaurants

The American restaurant industry is massive, and it is getting even bigger. The National Restaurant Association predicted in a press release in 2024 that US restaurant sales would surpass $1.1 trillion and employ 15.7 million people. The right social media marketing tips can turn people who are browsing your menu online into increased foot traffic. 

Why Social Media Matters for Restaurants

Before someone taps reserve in your restaurant, they have likely seen an appealing reel of your smashburger or a TikTok of your chef making a croquette. Pew Research finds that 83% of U.S. adults use YouTube, 68% use Facebook, and about half (47%) use Instagram; a third (33%) now use TikTok, up sharply since 2021. 

If you want to be visible, social media is not optional. 

The Social Proof Effect

People trust what they see. The path to success for a restaurant starts with visibility. According to trends observed by CroPink:

• 50% of customers choose restaurants based on social media. 
• 22% of diners return to a restaurant because of its social media presence.
• 57% of diners have made a reservation via social media.

These are not just numbers. They are proof that social media marketing for restaurants can drive actual foot traffic and bookings. 

Discovery & Decision Path

Before stepping into the dining room, many potential guests will scroll through your social media feed to check your profile. For example: 

• According to Electro IQ, 72% of people use social media to research restaurants before deciding. 
• According to MenuTiger, 68% check a restaurant’s social media presence before visiting.

For restaurant owners, the restaurant’s social media page is often the first impression. In short, digital marketing for restaurants is not optional; it is essential. 

The 360° Restaurant Marketing Blueprint: Turning Followers into Foodies

Diners love to share the reels of stunning dishes they want to dig into, and restaurants love to reap the rewards. But there is more to it than posting a delicious pastry online and raising a prayer to the social media deities for things to work out. 

Step 1: Optimize Your Visual Identity

In restaurants, visual identity is everything. Your diners should feel hungry when they see your cheeseburgers. This content thrives on Instagram, TikTok, or Facebook alike because people eat with their eyes first. 

• One study from CroPink found that food photos led 40% of people to try a new restaurant. 
• Another from Jobstik reported that restaurants using video content saw an 88% increase in time spent on their profiles.

Tips

• Use natural lighting and a clean background.
• Use consistent styling for a uniform brand image.
• Please remember to film behind the scenes. You can use them as content later. 

Audit Your Profiles

Make sure your social profiles serve as a mini website with up-to-date hours, a clear location, and menu highlights. Most social media users have a short attention span, and they expect instant clarity. 

Step 2: Build Engagement via Narrative & Interaction

These days on social media, followers want more than just a tasty smoothie bowl. They want a narrative. Incorporate your stories and what makes your brand “relatable” or “humane.” Incorporate the stories of farm-to-table sourcing or any local community ties proudly. 

Make it Interactive

Social media is bidirectional. The algorithm Gods reward interaction. Some effective tactics that help are  

• Q&A Stories
• Polls on IG Stories
• Live behind-the-kitchen glimpses.
• Respond to comments & DMs fast.

Leverage User-generated Content

When diners post about your food, it is free promotion. Encourage hashtags or “tag us” campaigns. Highlight the user photos in your grid or stories. 

Step 3: Use Smart Content Strategy

Do not rely on just photos. There are so many formats out there for you to explore and take advantage of: videos, stories, short-form reels, time-lapses, and boomerangs: these all help you reach different audience segments and improve engagement. 

Use Social Media Algorithms to Your Advantage

Each platform uses its own algorithm to decide what content to show. While the specifics may vary from one channel to another, the general truth applies:

• Posting regularly will keep you in the feed rotation. 
• Engagement, in the form of likes, comments, and shares, signals to algorithms that you are relevant. 
• Timing and relevance matter. Talk about trending topics or local events. 

By setting yourself up according to the algorithm’s preferences, you can build organic reach. 

Step 4: Activate Offers & Incentives

At the end of the day, the goal of food marketing strategies is to book a table. You can do that by incentivizing your customers through your social channels. 

• Offer exclusive deals on your social channels only.
• Include a call to action like “reserve via link in bio” or “send a DM for happy hour specials.”

Promote special events and experiences

Events have a lot of social capital when they are used strategically. According to Deloitte’s data, more than half of traffic in restaurant events happened through social media promotions. 

5 Essential Social Media Marketing Tips for Restaurants

 Here are 5 social media marketing tips you can apply to scale your restaurant. 

• Post at optimal times: Peak social hours in the U.S. tend to be 11 a.m.–1 p.m. and 7–9 p.m. You can time your posts accordingly.
• Use location tags and hashtags: make sure to tag your restaurant and city for local visibility. 
• Encourage UGC (user-generated content): Ask your patrons to tag you.  
• Go live occasionally: Live videos bring authenticity. Go live with themes like the kitchen tour, Q&A with chefs, and live music nights. 
• Leverage micro-influencers: Local food bloggers or micro-influencers have high engagement.

Your Restaurant Deserves the Spotlight

You have perfected your menu for a long time; now it is time to shine that perfection on your social media platforms. By using our strategies, you can make your restaurant a master of social engagement with no empty chairs. Post with purpose to create your signature digital flavor. 

Conclusion

WebRowdy can help you transform your kitchen moments into a social media goldmine. We think your restaurant should be the talk of the town, not just a hidden gem. 

Take the next step towards digital dominance with the restaurant marketing ideas of WebRowdy today.

Check out this blog as well: The Complete 360° Restaurant Marketing Blueprint: How to Fill Every Table, Every Night

 

Frequently Asked Questions about Social Media Marketing Tips:

Q1. What type of content works best for restaurants?

A1. High-quality food photos, short videos, and behind-the-scenes clips work excellent for restaurants.

Q2. Why is user-generated content important?

A2. It builds trust. Customers are more likely to visit when they see real people enjoying your food.

Q3. Which social platform is best for restaurants?

A3. Instagram and TikTok are ideal for visuals. Facebook works well for local ads and community updates.