Whether you’re launching a brand new restaurant, expanding to another location, or running a long-term community staple, getting the word out about your business will be essential to its success.
In an ideal world, your restaurant will have new and old customers lining up around the block to get a table every day of the week. Unfortunately, it’s not always that easy – especially if your restaurant is brand new or you have a lot of competition.
If you don’t know how to market a restaurant or how to get started, this blog is for you. We’re sharing innovative restaurant marketing ideas to help you grow and maintain your customer base.
Don’t Skip Out on Digital Marketing
Digital marketing for restaurants is essential. Okay, this one’s a bit obvious. In 2025, it goes without saying that your restaurant should have some type of online presence.
If you’re looking to attract business, social media is a great tool to have at your disposal. Not only can you reach new customers by the thousands (and potentially millions), but you can also do it for little to no cost at all. Of course, there are countless paid marketing opportunities on social media, many of which have their benefits, but it doesn’t cost anything to share organic content.
Want more advice on running your restaurant? Check out these other blog posts for helpful tips!
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Have a Strategy
Having a social media presence is important, but that doesn’t mean you can post whatever, wherever and expect the results to come rolling in.
First, It’s important to know where you need to be. For example, let’s say you’re looking to have the trendiest new coffee shop in Toronto’s Kensington Market; it makes sense to prioritize platforms like TikTok and Instagram where your target audience is more likely to be.
The same goes for what you post. As a restaurant, your social pages are an extension of your brand. Let’s say you offer a refined, high-end culinary experience. You want potential customers to feel the same brand from your content as they would walking into your restaurant. So, sharing memes or hopping on the latest video trends might not be the best strategy.
Leverage Customer Feedback
Another great marketing strategy is to leverage your customers’ feedback and experience. Online reviews are the perfect example of this. While certain platforms like Yelp have lost market share in recent years, many people are still using Google to discover new restaurants.
With that in mind, the more Google Reviews your restaurant has, the more likely it is to show up when relevant consumers are searching online. Start asking and incentivizing customers to leave reviews for your restaurant on Google. You should also make sure your Google Business Profile is optimized and up to date (location, hours of operation, information, etc.) – this is where future customers will learn about your restaurant and read rave reviews from past diners.
Collaborate in Your Community
Some of the best marketing ideas for restaurants involve organic, grassroots efforts. This doesn’t mean you need to go door to door introducing yourself and your business, however, making a proactive effort to get involved in the local community can pay dividends.
Even better, collaborate with another business in your area. This can be another restaurant or any other type of local business. If they have similar values, similar vibes, and you think their customers might like your restaurant, why not collaborate on a special dish, offer cross-branded deals or coupons, or set up a unique event? The opportunities are endless (and rewarding).
Having the right staff in your restaurant is very important! Check out these blog posts for more insights.
Offer Something Special
Restaurant promotions don’t always have to reinvent the wheel. One tried and true way to drum up excitement about your restaurant is by creating special, limited-time offerings. Customers (especially loyal regulars) will love the opportunity to try an exclusive dish, hot drink, or cocktail that’s not usually available. Get creative and explore new tastes! Bonus points if you can create something that looks as good as it tastes (this will get your customers snapping pics and spreading the word on your behalf).
If you don’t want to assemble a new product, you can always offer limited-time promotions like BOGOs or happy hours. Sometimes the best restaurant marketing strategies are the simplest.
Have more questions about restaurant ownership? We can help! Send us an email at ryan@carverealestate.com or give us a ring at 416-618-0054 to get started.
