With a few creative Facebook marketing ideas, you can grab the attention of your customers and keep them coming back.

Restaurant social media followers are often hungry consumers looking for their next meal. Combine that with the fact that people are more likely to purchase from businesses they see on social media, and the need for a strong Facebook presence becomes clear.

Sprout Social reports that 75% of people have bought something because they saw it on social media. Additionally, 60.7% of people need to see a product two to four times before they make a purchase decision.

Here are some simple yet creative ways your restaurant can use Facebook to attract customers and fill tables. The key is to think beyond straightforward promotions and find ways to engage.

7 Creative Facebook Marketing Ideas:

1. Launch a Photo Contest

Your chef puts in the effort to make every dish look incredible, so why not have your customers help showcase it? Encourage them to snap photos of their meals, hashtag your restaurant, and post them. The photo with the most likes or shares could win a prize. You can even share their photos on your restaurant’s Facebook page to further boost engagement.

2. Stay Local and Current

Keep your restaurant closely tied to the community. When a local sports team wins, post about it. When the weather turns chilly, remind people you have warm drinks and comfort food waiting for them. Keeping up with local news gives you plenty of opportunities for creative, relevant posts.

3. Be the Most Interesting Restaurant

Take inspiration from the “Most Interesting Man in the World” campaign. Share food and drink pairings, celebrate national food days, or dive into the background of your dishes. The goal is to create engaging conversations, not just advertisements. Have fun with it and encourage interaction with your followers.

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4. Host a Recipe Contest

Want to promote healthy eating? Hold a contest where the community submits healthy recipes under a specific calorie count. Invite local judges to taste and decide the winner. This event can attract media coverage and bring attention to your restaurant. Once the contest is over, you’ll have a winning dish that can be added to your menu, creating a lasting connection with your community.

5. Share Free Recipes

Social media users love valuable content, and giving away recipes is a great way to build a lasting relationship with your customers. Instead of simply posting a recipe card, take it up a notch with a how-to video featuring your chef. It doesn’t have to be your signature dish—any fan favorite appetizer or side will do, and your followers will appreciate the behind-the-scenes look.

6. Highlight Customer Reviews

An easy way to stay active on Facebook is to share positive or creative reviews from your customers. This shows appreciation for your patrons and reinforces trust with potential customers.

7. Post Engaging Videos

With billions of Facebook video views every day, video content is a powerful tool for engagement. Share videos of your chefs in action, strap a GoPro to a waiter for a fun, behind-the-scenes perspective, or use video to promote events. Videos are a surefire way to capture attention and spark interaction.

Conclusion

Consider which of these Facebook marketing ideas align with your restaurant’s audience and strengths. There’s likely something you can start doing today to enhance your social media presence and drive more business through your doors.

If you need help navigating the social media landscape, we’ve successfully helped many restaurants elevate their online presence. A free consultation is just a phone call away.