If you’re scouring the internet for restaurant marketing trends that don’t involve dancing, pranks, or draining your bank account, you’re in the right place.
Did you know? 85% of customers check out a restaurant online before making a purchasing decision. That means, 17 out of every 20 customers has done their digital research before ever stepping into your restaurant.
Clearly having a strong digital presence is essential, but between our current economy, social media’s unpredictability (ahem, TikTok…), and AI taking over, restaurant marketing can feel extra daunting.
This unease is exactly why we’re seeing a renewed focus on restaurant marketing trends geared toward building a strong community and predictably attracting more customers.
Let’s dive into the 2025 restaurant marketing trends.
2025 Restaurant Marketing Trends: Overview
Staying competitive in 2025 means focusing on authentic engagement through social media, upgrading websites to provide seamless customer journeys, and leveraging technology to deliver more personalized service.
Trends to Highlight
- Social Media Marketing: Short-form videos, social commerce features, and authentic community engagement are key to building an online presence that resonates with your audience and delivers that results you want.
- Website Optimization: Integrated online ordering, mobile-first designs, and engaging visuals turn your website into a powerful sales and branding tool.
- Customer Experience Enhancements: From personalized service through loyalty programs to streamlined curbside options, improving every touchpoint helps build lasting relationships (read: repeat customers!).
2025 Restaurant Marketing Trends: Social Media Marketing
Social media marketing isn’t just a nice-to-have; it’s a must-have. Platforms like Instagram and Facebook are the second most popular places (after Google) where customers search for restaurants and specific food items they’re craving.
Trends to Work Into Your Plan
Short-Form Video Content: Create engaging, bite-sized videos for TikTok, Instagram Reels, or YouTube Shorts. Showcase your menu, give a peek behind the scenes, or share quick recipes. Visual storytelling captures attention fast.
Social Commerce Features: Enable in-app ordering directly on Instagram or Facebook. The fewer clicks between seeing your food and placing an order, the better!
Trending Formats Like “Day-in-the-Life” Vlogs: Bring your customers along for a day behind the counter. It’s an authentic way to show off your team’s personality and the effort behind every dish.
Community Engagement: Highlight your involvement in local partnerships and events. Post about collaborations with nearby businesses or photos from community events to build a loyal local following.
Tips for Success
- Create a Strategy: Have clear goals and a posting schedule to ensure consistency.
- Engage Regularly: Respond to comments, like posts from local businesses, and participate in conversations. Engagement builds relationships.
- Measure Performance: Use insights from social media reporting to track what’s working and tweak your strategy.
2025 Restaurant Marketing Trends: Websites
In 2025, restaurant website design means more than just a place to post your restaurant menu. It’s your digital headquarters, where customers connect with your brand, explore your offerings, and place orders.
Trends to Highlight
Integrated Online Ordering: Ditch the third-party platforms that cut into your profits. Customers expect to order directly from your website, so integrate seamless payment and POS systems for a friction-free experience.
Visual Storytelling: Use high-quality photos and videos to showcase your food, staff, and ambiance. People eat with their eyes first, make it count.
Customer Engagement Features: Incorporate tools like chatbots for instant support, loyalty program sign-ups, and email/SMS opt-ins. These features keep customers coming back.
Mobile-First Design: Most visitors browse on their phones, so ensure your site loads quickly and looks great on any device. Mobile-friendly layouts and touch-friendly buttons are essential.
Tips for Success
- Regular Updates: Refresh your website often. Outdated content can turn customers away.
- SEO Optimization: Use local SEO tactics to ensure you rank high in search results. Include location keywords and structured data to boost visibility.
- Include Essentials: Always feature your menu, contact info, location, and hours.
2025 Restaurant Marketing Trends: Customer Experience
Customers expect excellent service wherever they go. If your service doesn’t meet expectations, you risk losing them — and their friends — to competitors. A single negative review can ripple across your audience.
That doesn’t mean bending over backward to please everyone, but it does mean evaluating your customer experience and making thoughtful improvements to increase customer loyalty.
Trends to Highlight
Personalization: Loyalty apps paired with a POS system that stores customer preferences let you offer tailored experiences, like remembering a customer’s usual order or favorite menu items.
Enhanced Curbside and Drive-Thru: Pre-ordering options and express lanes make the experience faster and more convenient. These features are a game-changer for busy customers.
AI Tools: From managing wait times to suggesting menu items, AI tools streamline operations and enhance customer satisfaction.
Ambiance and Design: Attention to details like cleanliness, decor, and sustainable packaging shows customers you care about their experience from start to finish.
Tips for Success
- Ask Your Customers: Gather feedback through surveys or casual conversations. They’ll tell you what they value.
- Talk to Your Team: Collaborate with staff to implement changes that improve service without adding unnecessary stress.
- Track Performance: Set benchmarks for new initiatives and review them regularly to ensure they’re delivering results.
Attract more customers in 2025 with the restaurant marketing trends
By incorporating these trends into your 2025 restaurant marketing strategy, you’ll stay ahead of the competition, attract more customers, and scale your business on your terms. It’s all about working smarter, not harder, to make your restaurant the go-to choice in your community.
Not sure what to do next? Our Magnetic Restaurant Marketing guide can help! It provides a step-by-step plan to help you build your brand, launch your marketing plan, and measure whether or not it’s working (and how to improve if not!).
Follow us for tips, news, and tutorials to run a successful independent restaurant, coffee shop, or food truck.