9 Easy ways to use Facebook Marketing for Restaurants

Did your restaurant just open? You're wondering where the people are. 

 
 

Or maybe you're noticing a decline in the lunch crowd since your competitor moved in across the street. 

 
 

Do you use Facebook marketing for restaurants? Keep reading if you don't. 

 

 

Facebook marketing is one of the most effective advertising channels for reaching your customers.  

 
 

The worst part is your savvier competitors are likely stealing your customers and growing sales if you don't advertise on Facebook. Businesses can easily reach their ideal customer segments through Facebook's robust and flexible platform. You can even target niches within the restaurant and food industry. Are you looking for event planners, group dining, or private dining? All of that is also possible with Facebook ads and marketing.  

 
 

You will learn why Facebook marketing for restaurants is so important for creating awareness, and you will also learn nine killer marketing strategies to consider. 

Optimize Your Profile 

For effective use of Facebook in restaurant marketing, it's essential to establish and regularly update a company profile. 

Your restaurant's central hub is your profile, often the first encounter for potential customers seeking your business. This is pivotal, given that people frequently use Facebook to discover new restaurants. According to a Square survey, 52% of consumers uncovered new businesses via Facebook, surpassing Google Reviews, Yelp, newspapers, and magazines, particularly among millennials (70%). 

To optimize your restaurant's Facebook profile: 

• Include a descriptive narrative with keywords. 

• Add relevant category tags. 

• Display your menu. 

• Provide a link to your website. 

• Specify your opening hours. 

• Share contact details. 

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These steps ensure that your restaurant's profile appears at the top when users search for your business. 

Engage with Facebook Followers 

Social media serves as an excellent means to connect with current and potential customers on Facebook, minus the costs associated with driving visitors to your social network profile through advertising. 

Your company profile is the foundation of your Facebook marketing for restaurants. Engaging with your audience not only boosts profile engagement but also attracts more visitors to your real-world establishment, establishing a solid base for restaurant Facebook marketing. 

Create a Business Profile 

Commence by crafting a comprehensive business profile. Ensure all images showcase your cuisine in the best light possible, as people often 'eat with their eyes' when they haven't yet sampled your food. Include images of your staff and delighted patrons to convey the ambiance. 

Craft an appealing title and description, and incorporate your address to inform visitors of your location. Don't forget to showcase any awards or outstanding health inspection scores. 

Integrate Facebook widgets into your restaurant's website design and email communications to facilitate easy page visits and likes. 

Build Your Initial Following 

Increasing your Facebook following fosters trust and encourages word-of-mouth referrals as followers share your posts with others in the community. 

Many restaurants find it challenging to gain their first 1,000 followers, but remember: 

• Never purchase followers, as many are fake. 

• Consistently post new content. 

• Encourage in-house customers to connect on Facebook using mobile devices. 

• Offer exclusive Facebook-only incentives or contests. 

• Run advertisements, an essential component of restaurant Facebook marketing. 

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Consistently Deliver Shareable Content 

Frequent content sharing helps attract and retain fans. Restaurant content marketing through social media doesn't require lengthy blog posts. Post at optimal times, like 1-4 PM for dinner-oriented establishments or just before opening for coffee shops, to remind early birds. 

Share recipes, keeping in mind that patrons can't replicate your dishes exactly, but this demonstrates the care taken in your culinary creations. Share stories, especially those involving employees, always maintaining a positive tone. Use stories to humanize your brand. 

Avoid shaming customers; instead, use stories to exhibit community involvement. Share exceptional Yelp reviews, benefiting both your image and reviewers seeking social media recognition. Host contests with unique hashtags to engage your fanbase. 

Use Facebook Ads 

Facebook ads provide an excellent way to reach potential customers effortlessly. With audience targeting, you can create specific profiles based on potential food enthusiasts. This includes targeting people who already follow your page, retargeting website visitors, and focusing on local residents. 

Craft appealing offers, such as discounts, app promotion, event announcements, or reservations, tailored to your desired customer group. 

Include a Call-to-Action 

Easily add a call-to-action button atop your Facebook profile. Use it to prompt customers to download your app, book a table, visit your restaurant, get in touch, or order takeout/delivery. Choose the most pertinent action for your establishment. 

This button streamlines the process for users to download your app, leading them to a landing page featuring links to Google Play or the App Store, catering to all operating systems. 

Experiment with Different Post Types 

While we've focused on Facebook page posts, continue utilizing them to promote your restaurant. Even though their effectiveness may have diminished, posts remain valuable because they still appear on users' timelines and when they visit your pages. 

Experiment with post types: 

• Introduce new menu items. 

• Announce upcoming events. 

• Share special offers or discounts. 

• Promote user-generated content. 

• Tell engaging restaurant stories. 

• Organize contests or competitions. 

• Advertise your app. 

• Share captivating content of interest to your customers. 

• Promote takeout, delivery, or other services. 

Emphasize high-quality visuals and well-crafted text for your posts. Expand their reach with relevant hashtags and tags, enhancing their discoverability. 

Drive Traffic to Your Online Properties 

While Facebook helps connect with your target audience, relying solely on the platform can be risky due to frequent algorithm changes. It's crucial to develop and promote your own online properties, particularly your website, which offers control over your brand presentation. 

Your website can feature online reservations, an online store, restaurant information, menus, and a blog. Visual elements, including fonts, colors, and graphics, play a significant role in branding. Consistency in branding imagery helps your brand become more recognizable. 

As you utilize these visuals more frequently, your brand's identity solidifies. For quick website development, consider Restaurantify, a restaurant website builder creating top-notch restaurant websites in just five minutes. 

Investing time and effort into Facebook marketing for restaurants can significantly bolster your establishment's visibility and patronage. By following these strategies, you'll harness the potential of Facebook to enhance your restaurant's reputation and profitability.