Opening a new restaurant is equal parts exciting and stressful. If you want more attendees on your restaurant’s launch, you have to think strategically about your marketing. Posting a “We’re open for business!” on social media or haphazardly posting Stories won’t cut it. From event flyers to giveaways, there’s lots to be done to acquire new customers.
In this guide, we’ll go over 8 tips that’ll drive actual foot traffic by using techniques such as an event marketing tool, local ads, and social media posts. Let’s dive in.
1. Create an Event Landing Page
Your landing page centralizes all relevant information in one place so customers know exactly what to do next. Here’s what a webpage can achieve:
- RSVP options for opening
- Easily viewable event details (time, location, date)
- Customers can see your menu or specials
- Sharing the event with interested friends becomes easier
- Customers can receive reminders when the opening is closeby
An effective landing page also helps you collect emails, creating a subscriber list for future use.
Tip: Make sure this page is frictionless and high-speed so customers can quickly RSVP. Compress high-resolution images and optimize your landing page for mobile users.
2. Post Social Media Teasers
The best way to ensure your customers actually come through is by keeping their excitement afloat. Posting once or twice isn’t enough, you need to build gradual anticipation. Here’s how to do it right:
- Sneak peeks of menu items
- Kitchen prep videos
- BTS footage
- “Meet the staff” Reel
- Use popular audios and social media trends
These techniques ensure that you’re not just catching attention, but also sustaining it for a longer period of time.
3. Design Flyers and Posters
If you’re posting on social media, you need to design content (flyers, posters, posts, Stories) that catch attention in busy feeds. To stop the scroll, here are a few tips to keep in mind:
- Maintain white space to avoid clutter
- Have a clear visual text hierarchy
- Use HD images of menu items
- Keep distinct page margins
- Only use 2-3 fonts
If you’re running short on time and want a fully structured layout without starting from scratch, use relevant restaurant templates. These are professionally-designed and ready-to-edit so you can make any adjustments according to your design goals.
4. Run Paid Local Ads
Organic growth only gets you so far. Most people assume that running ads would cost them a lot of time and money. However, you can significantly increase visibility even on a tighter budget using the following tricks.
- Target users using geographic filters such as location, age, interests, habits, and neighbourhoods
- Use high-quality food photography
- Keep captions short and include a clear CTA
- Make sure incentives and offers are visible
Google Local Ads make it easier for customers nearby to discover when they’re searching which places to eat at.
5. Offer Incentives to Customers
People are more likely to be excited for your event and attend it if there’s a clear motivation for it. Here are some opening offers you can include into your marketing game plan:
- Free appetizers on launch day
- Buy-one-get-one deals
- Drink specials
- Limited time food items
- Giveaways
- Discounts for first-time guests
Limited-time offers work great because they create a sense of natural urgency for customers to act upon.
6. Collaborate with Local Influencers
You don’t need big names or influencers for an effective collaboration. Local influencers often have highly engaged audiences which results in more new people discovering your restaurant. These influencers are also trusted, adding onto the credibility of your restaurant. Here’s what you can do:
- Share branded visuals
- Post Reels and Stories from the launch event
- VIP seating
- Behind-the-scenes exclusive experience
- Offer them a free tasting
By creating locally focused content, you can bring in more customers that live within the radius of your restaurant.
7. Encourage UGC
Word-of-mouth marketing can often yield very successful results. Followers and attendees can become great marketers. Here’s how:
- Ask them to tag friends for rewards
- Encourage them to share your event post
- Repost their Stories on your account
- Invite family members
- Encourage comments on paid ads and posts
Restaurant experiences are social by nature. If you encourage bringing friends and family, you can significantly grow your subscriber/email list and gain more restaurant regulars.
8. Utilize Email Marketing
If you’re having trouble actually getting interested customers to show up, utilize email marketing. These reminders go directly to your customer’s inbox, unlike social media, making sure your event stays top of mind. Here are some creative email ideas which work:
- Countdown emails
- Exclusive previews
- VIP invites
- Personalized touches (mention by name)
- Reminder emails 24 hours before launch
- Follow-up thank you emails
If you consistently collect emails, you can build stronger relationships with your customers. Even after the event ends, you can use this list for long-term marketing opportunities.
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