Restaurant Marketing in the Post-Pandemic Era: What's Changed

S

Sarah Chen

November 5, 20247 min read

Restaurant Marketing in the Post-Pandemic Era: What's Changed

The pandemic fundamentally changed how people discover, choose, and interact with restaurants. Here's what's working now and how to adapt your marketing strategy.

The New Customer Journey

Before:

1. Word of mouth or walk-by

2. Maybe check Yelp reviews

3. Visit restaurant

Now:

1. Social media discovery (Instagram, TikTok)

2. Google search for reviews and menu

3. Check online ordering options

4. Decide between dine-in, takeout, or delivery

5. Book reservation or place order online

What's Working Now

1. Visual-First Social Media

Food is inherently visual. Restaurants winning on social media:

Post high-quality food photos daily

Create short-form video content (reels, TikToks)

Show behind-the-scenes kitchen content

Feature staff personalities

Engage with every comment and mention

2. Google Business Profile Optimization

Your GBP is often the deciding factor:

Keep hours updated (especially holiday hours)

Add menu items with photos and prices

Post weekly updates about specials

Respond to every review within 24 hours

Use Google Posts for promotions

3. Online Ordering Integration

Customers expect seamless online ordering:

Offer direct ordering (avoid third-party fees when possible)

Optimize your menu for online browsing

Include high-quality photos for every item

Make customization easy

Offer loyalty rewards for direct orders

4. Email and SMS Marketing

Build direct relationships with customers:

Collect contact info at every touchpoint

Send weekly specials and updates

Birthday and anniversary offers

Exclusive deals for subscribers

Re-engagement campaigns for lapsed customers

5. Local SEO and Content

Rank for "restaurants near me" and related searches:

Create pages for each cuisine type you offer

Blog about local events and partnerships

Get listed in local food blogs and guides

Partner with local influencers

Metrics That Matter

Track these KPIs:

Online order volume and average ticket

Reservation conversion rate

Review volume and average rating

Social media engagement rate

Email open and click rates

Customer return rate

Common Mistakes to Avoid

1. Ignoring negative reviews: Always respond professionally

2. Inconsistent posting: Social media requires daily attention

3. Poor food photography: Invest in quality visuals

4. Neglecting your website: It should be fast, mobile-friendly, and easy to navigate

5. Not tracking results: You can't improve what you don't measure

Get Help with Restaurant Marketing

Restaurant marketing is a full-time job on top of running your restaurant. Contact us to learn how we can help you attract more diners.

restauranthospitalitysocial medialocal marketing

Restaurant Marketing in the Post-Pandemic Era: What's Changed

Restaurant Marketing in the Post-Pandemic Era: What's Changed

The New Customer Journey

Before:

Now:

What's Working Now

1. Visual-First Social Media

2. Google Business Profile Optimization

3. Online Ordering Integration

4. Email and SMS Marketing

5. Local SEO and Content

Metrics That Matter

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Get Help with Restaurant Marketing

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