Welcome to The Beginner’s Guide to Restaurant Marketing!
Running a restaurant can be an incredibly satisfying adventure. When done right, it can also be an incredibly successful one. A key part of that success is marketing.
If you’re opening a restaurant, marketing is essential for raising your brand’s profile in a crowded marketplace. If you already have a restaurant, it’s always a good idea to reassess your marketing to see what’s working and what could be improved. If previous efforts fell as flat as a bad soufflé, it’s not too late to get your marketing back on track.
This guide will cover all the basic aspects of successful restaurant marketing. Why do you need a marketing strategy? What are the most important traditional marketing methods? Which digital marketing channels should you invest in?
We’ll consider everything from social media marketing to digital advertising to direct mail marketing and much more.
Each section will provide ideas and tips for immediate use. We’ll also share links to useful articles and further insights. If you’d like more information about anything we cover, you can always contact our marketing team at marketing@menudrive.com.
Ready to get started? Here’s a breakdown of what each chapter in this guide will cover.
- CHAPTER 1: An Overview of Restaurant Marketing
Chapter 1 goes over all the basic touchpoints of restaurant marketing, including strategies and current trends.
Topics covered:
Restaurant Marketing Strategies
Research Your Audience and Competitors
Why You Need a Restaurant Marketing Plan
The Importance of Branding for Restaurants
Should You Use a Restaurant Marketing Agency?
Restaurant Industry Trends in Marketing - CHAPTER 2: Restaurant Marketing (Non-Digital and Traditional)
In this chapter, we consider classic marketing and PR tactics.
Topics covered:
Restaurant PR
Restaurant Flyers, Signs, and Print Marketing Materials
Traditional Restaurant Advertisement
Restaurant Direct Mail Marketing
Restaurant T-Shirts and Other Branded Merch
Guerilla Marketing for Restaurants
Restaurant Gift Cards
Restaurant Coupons
Restaurant Loyalty Program
How to Get Customer Feedback to Grow Your Restaurant Business
Restaurant Special Events
Restaurants That Do Fundraisers and Other Community Engagement
Restaurant Promotion Ideas - CHAPTER 3: Restaurant Digital Marketing
In this chapter, we cover the basics of digital marketing, from launching a website to making sure your restaurant is listed in online directories.
Topics covered:
Build a Restaurant Website Designed to Draw In Customers
Restaurant SEO Tips
How to Use Your Restaurant Online Ordering System to Market Your Business
How to Use Google My Business and Other Online Directories to Grow Your Restaurant Business
How to Get Your Restaurant Reviewed Online
Restaurant Newsletter and Email Marketing
Text Message Marketing for Restaurants
Market Your QR Code Menu - CHAPTER 4: Social Media Marketing for Restaurants
This chapter goes over one of the most popular methods for raising brand awareness: social media marketing.
Topics covered:
General Tips for Restaurant Social Media Marketing
Facebook Marketing Strategy for Restaurants
Restaurant Instagram Marketing
Restaurant Food Photography Tips
Twitter for Restaurants
Restaurant Video Marketing
Should You Work with Food Influencers?
Optimize Your Restaurant’s Social Media Marketing With Food Hashtags - CHAPTER 5: Restaurant Digital Advertising
In Chapter 5, “Restaurant Digital Advertising,” we consider some of the main channels for digital advertising.
Topics covered:
Google Restaurant Advertising
Facebook Ads for Restaurants
Other Social Media Advertising for Restaurants - CHAPTER 6: How to Create a Restaurant Marketing Budget
How much should you invest in restaurant marketing? We break it down.
Topics covered:
The Basics of Restaurant Marketing Budgets
Market Your Restaurant the Right Way
Key Restaurant Marketing Budget Areas
Restaurant Marketing ROI
Restaurant Marketing Hidden Costs to Look Out For
What Every Restaurant Should Be Doing to Succeed
How Much of This Guide Do I Need to Read?
Although this is a beginner’s guide, the information in it is also suitable for people already in the restaurant industry. If you want to get a full understanding of restaurant marketing, we recommend reading the guide from front to back. On the other hand, if you’re only interested in specific aspects of this topic, you can skip ahead to the relevant chapters. Take notes, and be sure to check out the links in each section for further reading and insights. Enjoy!