Industries
Social Media Strategy for Restaurants
Why does your restaurant need a social media strategy? Because your target customers are spending their time scrolling through platforms like Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok.
If you show up with a consistent and professional social media presence, you will be top of mind when your potential customers are thinking about what they want to eat for lunch or where they’re going to dine for their next special occasion.
Here are a few best practices to follow when curating your social media presence:
- Optimize your social media profiles.
- Make it easy for people to view all your restaurant locations.
On Instagram, you can list a few of them in your bio or feature all of them in a story highlight that is pinned to your profile.
Facebook allows you to list multiple locations for your restaurant. This is crucial if you want Facebook to direct potential customers to the location closest to them.
- Add an action button to make it easy for profile visitors to make a reservation.
You can add action buttons on Facebook and Instagram profiles. We recommend using either the “Reserve” or “Book now” buttons for your restaurant.
- Start a conversation with your social media content.
- Ask a question at the end of each caption to encourage your followers to comment.
Also, make sure you reply to the comments you receive so you can continue the conversation!
- Create interactive posts, such as a “This or That” game with your menu items.
Remember, most people use social media for entertainment purposes—so make your content fun!
- Use Instagram story stickers to boost engagement.
Here are a few examples:
- Use the Poll sticker to ask your followers a question. (Ex. Which entree will you order?)
- Use the Quiz sticker to test your followers’ knowledge. (Ex. What is the main ingredient we use to make our Miami Roll?)
- Use the Question sticker to host a Q&A session.
- Use the Location sticker to share your restaurant’s address.
Use the Countdown sticker to promote a special event. (Ex. Happy hour)
- Feature your chef.
When you hone in on your chef’s background and experience, you will humanize your restaurant and attract guests who connect with the chef’s personal story.
- Create an “Instagram-worthy” experience within your restaurant.
A neon sign or Instagrammable spot within your restaurant is worth the investment. You will make your money back when your guests start snapping photos and sharing them online.
Looks do matter in the culinary world—-not only for the presentation of your food, but also the atmosphere of your restaurant.
So, turn yours into a photo-op city, and you’ll get tons of free, organic promotion from your guests daily.
- Repost user-generated content and engage with your online community.
Your guests will be delighted if you repost their content or share it on your story with a mention. They will feel acknowledged and valued, which will strengthen their loyalty to your restaurant and make them more likely to return.
- For best results, combine your social media tactics with these related strategies:
