12 Ideas for Instagram Marketing for Restaurants

Over the years, many have claimed that Instagram would take over Facebook until it has recently seen a series of changes making it more Facebook-like. Statistics show that in less than a year, Instagram went from 800 million users to a billion users, half of which use the platform daily.

Knowing techniques of Instagram marketing for restaurants can help increase your customer base and sales, especially when you know that 38% of Instagram users look at food content and 27% share it.

To learn twelve ideas to incorporate in your Instagram marketing strategy for restaurants, keep reading.

1. Showcase your most-liked dishes

Post mouthwatering images of your most popular and new-coming dishes. Keep the captions light, current, and at times even funny.

2. Use top Instagram hashtags

Hashtags are Instagram’s sorting process. Instagram marketing for restaurants depends highly on the most-searched, food-related hashtags.

3. Focus on what makes you unique

If your ingredients come from fresh produce, are locally and organically sourced, and are cruelty-free, make sure you highlight such selling points.

4. Post video content regularly

Videos are a powerful tool for Instagram marketing for restaurants. An effective Instagram marketing strategy for restaurants includes videos of dish preparation and the end product.

5. Respond to your customers

Engage with your customers through fast responses. It shows how much you care and that you value their opinions.

6. Engage your customers

An Instagram marketing strategy for restaurants should include engagement posts. Ask customers questions such as what they would like to see added to your restaurant’s menu or use story polls to make them vote for their favorite dishes.

7. Advertise your services

Instagram marketing for restaurants is all about promoting the selling points of your service. Whether it’s table reservations, pre-orders, or a new pick-up or curbside pick-up service, keep your customers in the loop.

8. Promote your promotions

If you have 10,000 followers, use the ‘swipe up’ feature to redirect followers to the desired page. If not, you may add a link to the description of your IGTV video.

9. Organize giveaways and contests

An Instagram marketing strategy for restaurants should include fun stuff like giveaways and contests. Ask people to follow your page, mention their friends on your post or tag your restaurant using your hashtag.

10. Partner with influencers

Partnering up with an influencer is how marketing professionals up their Instagram marketing strategy for restaurants game. Instagram food influencers help you promote your dishes and gain more followers.

Check out our full article on How to Start Influencer Marketing for Restaurants <link>

11. Celebrate millstones

Post a ‘throwback’ video or image of the early days of your restaurant or celebrate the employee of the month by publishing their photo. This indirect tactic of Instagram marketing for restaurants helps build rapport with customers.

12. Publish at the right time

Post timing is a critical point in any Instagram marketing strategy for restaurants. As a restaurant, the best time to post is when people are hungry. That’s in the morning at 9 am and between 1 pm and 8 pm when people are looking for breakfast/brunch and dinner options.

Taker and Ita’am Launch a New #Ramadan 2021 Campaign “Ateamahum”

Welcoming the advent of the Holy month of Ramadan, Taker is pleased to announce joining forces with Ita’am Organization to feed the needy in a new Ramdan 2021 charity campaign.

The philanthropic campaign kicks off on Tuesday, Ramadan 1, 1442 AH by providing easy donation opportunities through the websites and applications of Taker’s partner restaurants in the Kingdom and by enabling their customers to donate directly to the campaign.

Out of the belief in taking part in social solidarity and as part of its contribution to society, Taker announces the launch of its strategic partnership with Ita’am Organization in Ramadan 2021 to feed those most in need. This comes in line with Allah Almighty’s verse in the Holy Qur’an “Help one another in righteousness and piety”, as Taker facilitates the donation process by allowing direct donations through its partners’ websites and applications.

Taker invites its partner restaurants to participate in the Ramadan 2021 campaign by offering donation options within their own websites and applications so that their customers can make direct donations to the campaign, reach larger numbers of donors, and share good deeds and cooperate with all social segments.

How It Works

Taker provides electronic donation options to the customers of its various partner restaurants to make a donation easier, smoother, and only at a click of a button. A special category option for the campaign will be featured throughout the websites and applications of Taker’s partner restaurants under the name Ateamahum which allows for an e-payment option only.

Restaurants are required to add two menu options with several meals to be donated via the campaign. Then they will promote Ateamahum campaign through social media accounts, website, and newsletter to attract the largest possible number of donors.

In addition, Taker provides the necessary marketing materials and designs for the campaign for easy use on your website and application. The donated meals will be collected from all the branches of the participant restaurants on a weekly basis and distributed via Ita’am.

How Restaurant Management Can Save Struggling Restaurants

Restaurant-running isn’t for the faint of heart, and here’s why. Studies have shown that 60% of restaurants close down in their first year and 80% within their first five years. Wondering what the average lifespan of a restaurant is? Unfortunately, the answer is 4.5 years.

Below we list some of the reasons behind restaurant struggle and how restaurant management can help revitalize a failing restaurant business.

Why restaurants struggle

There are several reasons why restaurant businesses struggle. The top three, however, are inconvenient location, lack of expertise, and mis-hired staff.

1. Inconvenient location

It has nothing to do with restaurant management, but it may be the main cause behind a failing restaurant. Wrong demographics, low foot traffic, poor visibility, overpriced rent, lack of parking area, and having many competitors within the same neighborhood may all outweigh the great food service management you provide.

2. Lack of expertise

This applies to all staff members, especially the restaurant owner. To become a successful restaurant owner, you need not only restaurant management experience, but also good knowledge in accounting, food preparation, customer service, and to make sure everything is working smoothly.

3. Mis-hired staff

Hiring the wrong people goes from lack of skills to a bad attitude. Look for calibers who have the right professional skills in addition to good soft skills. Besides giving fair salaries and benefits, make sure you provide them with growth opportunities and make sure your food service management makes room for flexibility.

How to save a struggling restaurant

Here are eight strategies to save your struggling restaurant from permanently shutting its doors.

1. Neaten up your menu

Picking up a special cuisine and sticking to it makes your food service management job easier. Always double-check the spelling of your menu and the featured prices as well.

2. Extend your opening hours

It may be too much restaurant management work, but it proves to be accommodating for early birds who are looking for quick breakfast or brunch options.

3. Use a table reservation system

A table reservation system is an integral part of a successful restaurant management system as it allows for smooth reservations and less waiting time.

4. Build customer loyalty

Repeat customers may be your most important marketing tool. Offering them a discount or free desserts as a part of your food service management system will make them feel special. Hence, positive word of mouth.

5. Examine your finances

As previously mentioned, solid financial knowledge makes for a great deal of restaurant management. Know your earnings and spending and make adjustments accordingly.

6. Offer online ordering and delivery

Keep up with new technology. Consider online ordering, delivery, and pick-up options. It may require some tweaks for your restaurant management system, but it’s worth it.

Taker helps you take your restaurant business online. To learn more, click here <link>

7. Reflect on your customer feedback

Respond to customer reviews, whether positive or negative. Negative reviews help pinpoint drawbacks to be addressed later in your food service management.

8. Use social media

It’s not enough to be present on social media. Being active is even more important. Post your latest promotions and specials. Also, hiring a team to market your restaurant on social media and Google should be a part of your food service management system.

How to Start Influencer Marketing for Restaurants

Influencer marketing has been around for some time, but in the last decade, and with social media reaching wider demographics than ever, it has become a necessary marketing tool for businesses; restaurants are no exception.

As studies have shown, online and offline popularity is greatly increased by influencer marketing for restaurants to an average of 700% profit. If food influencer marketing hasn’t been on your plan, maybe you should jump on the bandwagon and consider an Instagram or TikTok influencer marketing campaign.

Below we show you why influencer marketing for restaurants is key to increasing sales and how to do it properly.

Influencer marketing for restaurants: Why it is a game-changer

Let’s start by explaining what a food influencer is. A food influencer is an ordinary person who has gained genuine followers for what they’re good at – in this case, food. A food influencer may not be your typical movie or music celebrity, but they are celebrities in their own domain. Their opinions are trusted and respected by their fans. Through their blogs, vlogs, and reviews, they influence fans. Consequently, influencer marketing for restaurants has become a major part of their published content.

Influencer marketing for restaurants: How to win the game

As food and beverage influencers play a major role in shaping the audience’s perceptions, the competition – when it comes to influencer marketing for restaurants – keeps intensely increasing.

Here are four ways that shall help you win the influencer marketing game.

1. Choose the right influencer

Whether it is TikTok or Instagram influencer marketing for restaurants, choosing an influencer who is aware of the cultural preferences of your target consumer should be a top priority. Start by identifying your brand voice and marketing goals, then take your time to search for the perfect food influencer match for your restaurant. Your food influencer should be assessed in terms of specialty, followers, style, and personality.

2. Know your customers

Influencer marketing for restaurants is all about knowing the who and where of your customers. Before you set an Instagram influencer marketing for restaurants strategy, first make sure you can reach your target demographics on Instagram. Learn what social media platforms your customers use, and the type of content that keeps them engaged. For instance, a Snapchat or TikTok influencer marketing campaign may be more appealing to younger food enthusiasts.

3. Create an Instagram Business Account

Instagram influencer marketing for restaurants has proved to be of prime importance. The platform works great with both communication and visual content, and it is the perfect medium for sharing mouth-watering photos of your dishes!

Set up an Instagram business account and hunt for a skillful Instagram food influencer to promote your brand.

4. Generate authentic content

Investing in a partnership with your influencers helps post quality content that is relevant to your foodservice and customers. If you have the budget for a sponsored Instagram influencer marketing for restaurants campaign, go for it. Also, a TikTok influencer marketing campaign is worth consideration, though it requires the sort of edgy, out-of-the-box ideas.

But first, make sure your influencer isn’t a fraud! Many influencers have bogus followers, so you’ll need to make sure you collaborate with a ‘true’ influencer. A true influencer constantly looks for the best restaurants out there. And there are always social media campaign metrics to refer to and see how far your marketing message has reached whether it’s a TikTok influencer marketing campaign or a campaign on Instagram.