If you’re wondering how to market your restaurant on social media, you’re not alone. Many restaurant owners, food truck operators, and café managers struggle to stand out online while juggling day-to-day operations. The good news? Social media doesn’t have to be complicated. With the right restaurant social media strategy, you can reach more local diners, increase orders, and create loyal customers—without spending a fortune on ads.
Why Social Media Marketing Matters for Restaurants
Social media isn’t just about posting food photos anymore—it’s a direct line to your customers. Today’s diners scroll through Instagram, TikTok, and Facebook before deciding where to eat. A strong online presence helps you:
Build trust with local customers.
Promote new menu items or seasonal specials instantly.
Drive repeat visits through loyalty and promotions.
Compete with larger chains using affordable restaurant digital marketing tactics.
Step-by-Step Guide to Marketing a Restaurant on Social Media
1. Pick the Best Social Media Platforms for Restaurants
Not every platform works the same for food businesses.
Instagram & TikTok – Great for visuals, behind-the-scenes videos, and short promotions.
Facebook – Still effective for local restaurant marketing ideas, events, and reviews.
X (Twitter) – Useful for daily specials and quick updates.
Example: A food truck posting its daily location on Instagram Stories ensures regulars never miss out.
2. Create Content That Customers Actually Engage With
Posting consistently matters, but the type of content is what gets people in the door. Here are some restaurant content ideas for social media:
Behind-the-scenes prep videos.
Highlight staff favorites to make your brand relatable.
User-generated content from happy diners.
Quick recipe demos or tips from your chef.
Seasonal promotions tied to local events.
If you’re stuck, think of what makes your place different and show that off.
3. Use Social Media Advertising for Restaurants (Without Overspending)
You don’t need a huge ad budget to see results. Start small by boosting posts about:
A new menu launch.
Happy hour promotions.
Online ordering or delivery options.
Set location targeting within 3–5 miles of your restaurant to attract nearby customers.
4. Post Consistently with a Simple Calendar
Many restaurants stop posting when things get busy. A content calendar helps you plan ahead with affordable social media marketing tips for small restaurant owners such as:
Scheduling two posts per week.
Mixing photos, videos, and short updates.
Highlighting daily specials.
Consistency signals reliability to both customers and algorithms.
5. Drive More Sales by Connecting Social Media to Your Ordering System
Social media should lead to action, not just likes. That means:
Linking your restaurant ordering app or webstore directly in posts.
Adding “Order Now” buttons to Facebook and Instagram.
Promoting loyalty rewards or promos through Stories.
With Applova, restaurants can integrate commission-free ordering, loyalty programs, and delivery support—making it simple for customers to go from seeing a post to placing an order.
How to Measure Social Media Success for Your Restaurant
Posting content is only half the job — knowing whether it actually works is what turns social media into a real growth driver for your restaurant. Instead of just counting likes, here’s what to track:
Engagement Rate – Look at comments, shares, and saves. This shows how much your content resonates, not just how many people saw it.
Click-Throughs to Ordering Links – Track how many people click from Instagram or Facebook into your online ordering page or app. This ties posts directly to sales.
Offer Redemptions – If you share a promo code on social media, measure how many customers use it. That’s a clear way to connect social posts with revenue.
Customer Retention – Monitor repeat orders coming through loyalty programs promoted on social media. This shows whether your posts are driving long-term value.
Local Reach – Use Facebook and Instagram’s location insights to see how well your posts connect with diners in your area.
When you connect social media activity to sales, you can see which posts actually bring in revenue — and double down on what works best.
FAQ
How do restaurants get more customers through social media?
By sharing engaging content, running local ads, and connecting posts to online ordering or loyalty programs. Consistency builds visibility and trust.
What is the best way to advertise a restaurant on social media?
Start with low-budget targeted ads on Facebook or Instagram. Focus on promoting your most profitable dishes, special events, or exclusive online ordering deals.
How to grow a restaurant business using Instagram and Facebook?
Post high-quality photos and short videos, use Stories for daily specials, encourage reviews, and always include a clear call-to-action like “Order Online.”
How to use TikTok and Instagram Reels for restaurant promotion?
Keep videos short (10–30 seconds), highlight food in action (pouring, sizzling, plating), and follow trending audio. This format boosts visibility fast.
What are the best social media marketing ideas for small restaurants?
Showcase behind-the-scenes content.
Run “tag a friend” contests.
Highlight local partnerships.
Share customer stories.
Conclusion
Learning how to market your restaurant on social media doesn’t require a massive budget or marketing degree. With a clear plan, consistent posting, and a link between social platforms and your ordering system, you’ll attract more local customers and boost repeat sales. Tools like Applova make it easier by combining online ordering, loyalty, and promotions—all in one place.
Ready to see how Applova can support your restaurant marketing strategies?