Restaurant Marketing Tactics: Powerful Practices That Bring in New Customers - By Heather Apse
Here’s the harsh reality: if you’re not actively deploying effective restaurant marketing tactics, you’re leaving boatloads of potential revenue on the table. Sure, word-of-mouth is great, but in today’s ultra-competitive foodie landscape, you gotta get scrappy and strategic to truly stand out.

Here’s the harsh reality: if you’re not actively deploying effective restaurant marketing tactics, you’re leaving boatloads of potential revenue on the table. Sure, word-of-mouth is great, but in today’s ultra-competitive foodie landscape, you gotta get scrappy and strategic to truly stand out.
We know running a restaurant is no easy feat. From nailing those signature dishes to managing a crew of hangry line cooks, you’re juggling a million moving parts. And let’s not forget the constant battle to keep those lights on amid rising food costs. That’s why we are dishing out our all-time favorite restaurant marketing tactics guaranteed to get those coveted new customers flocking through your doors. Whether you are a new or established restaurant, you may be asking, how do I attract more customers to my restaurant?
What is Restaurant Marketing?
Restaurant marketing simply put is the practice of promoting a restaurant’s food, atmosphere, and services to attract and retain customers. This typically involves digital marketing (social media, website, online reviews), local advertising, loyalty programs, and maintaining a strong brand identity through consistent messaging and quality customer experiences. Developing a plan is so important so that you
Why is Restaurant Marketing So Important?
Restaurant marketing is vital for success in today’s competitive dining industry for several critical reasons:
Customer Acquisition and Retention
- Helps attract new customers in a crowded market
- Keeps existing customers engaged and returning
- Builds brand loyalty and recognition
Revenue Growth
- Drives awareness of special offers and promotions
- Increases average check size through upselling
- Creates additional revenue streams (catering, events, merchandise)
Competitive Advantage
- Differentiates your restaurant from competitors
- Highlights unique selling points (specialty dishes, atmosphere, service)
- Keeps your restaurant top-of-mind for diners
Survival and Stability
- Provides buffer during economic downturns
- Ensures steady customer flow year-round
- Helps weather seasonal fluctuations
How to Develop a Restaurant Marketing Plan 1. Research and Analysis
- Study your target market demographics and preferences
- Analyze competitors’ strategies and positioning
- Identify your unique selling propositions
- Set clear marketing objectives and budget
2. Brand Development
- Create a consistent brand voice and visual identity
- Develop compelling brand storytelling
- Design professional marketing materials
- Ensure brand consistency across all channels
3. Digital Marketing Strategy
- Develop an email marketing program
- Build and optimize a user-friendly website
- Implement local SEO strategies
- Create a content calendar for social media
- Leverage online review platforms
- Craft irresistible offers – like a free shared appetizer for first-timers who book online. Retargeting is key too. If someone bounced from your website without converting, stay top-of-mind with ads reminding them why your venue rocks.
4. Social Media Strategy
Listen up – if you’re not killing it on Instagram, you might as well be a culinary ghost town. These days, people discover most new hot spots through their social feeds. Make sure you’re posting drool-worthy food and giving followers tantalizing sneak peeks at your vibe and specialties. Hop on the latest menu trends (such as remixed dishes and ridiculously stacked milkshakes) to grab attention. And for the love of likes, geo-tag those posts and #hashtag the heck out of them.
5. Influencer Partnerships
Pay attention to those micro-influencers in your city with dedicated foodie followings. Often, a simple trade is all it takes – you hook them up with a free meal, and they post drool-worthy pics and rave reviews. Search relevant hashtags to find on-brand partners to collaborate with.
- Identify and collaborate with local food influencers
- Arrange tastings and special events for content creators
- Track partnership performance metrics
- Build long-term relationships with key influencers
6. Event Marketing Strategy
From dessert-only pop-ups to meet-the-chef evenings or cooking classes, fun special events make your place a total see-and-be-seen destination. Serve up some IG-worthy dishes and those social shares will flow in hot. Oh, and don’t overlook the power of regular weekly events like trivia nights – those are community-building gold.
- Host special themed events and pop-ups
- Organize cooking classes or chef demonstrations
- Create regular weekly events (trivia, live music)
- Partner with local businesses for cross-promotion
7. Email Marketing Tactics
It may be old-school, but email marketing is still a powerhouse restaurant marketing tactic. Your email list lets you drop news, promos and invites directly into inboxes. Maybe it’s a heads up about your seasonal menu launch or an exclusive tasting event invite. Entice patrons to opt-in by sending a joining offer like $5 off their next visit.
- Build and segment your email list
- Send personalized promotions and updates
- Share exclusive content and offers
- Track engagement metrics and optimize campaigns
8. Community Engagement
- Participate in local food festivals
- Support community events
- Partner with local organizations
- Build relationships with nearby businesses
9. Measurement and Optimization
- Track key performance indicators
- Monitor return on investment
- Gather and analyze customer feedback
- Adjust strategies based on data
The bottom line? Get creative, embrace new channels, and never let your restaurant marketing efforts be an afterthought. There are hungry diners out there waiting to discover you – you just have to give them a darn good reason to find (and obsess over) your place.
Now go forth and market the heck out of that restaurant! A full, profitable reservation book will be your reward.
Check Out Tripleseat, a Powerhouse Event Management Platform
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Heather Apse
As a content writer for Tripleseat, Heather channels her industry expertise into crafting insightful, actionable resources for hospitality professionals. Her background in hospitality includes hands-on experience as a hostess, busser, and waitress during her college years and she holds a deep appreciation for the nuances of restaurant and venue event operations. When she's not immersed in research or writing, Heather is adventuring outdoors with her three energetic sons and their lively, larger-than-life dog. Connect with Heather on LinkedIn.