The concept of food and marketing is essential to turn your culinary passion into a successful business.
Opportunities are out there. For instance, according to recent statistics, in 2023, Italian household spending in the restaurant industry reached €92 billion, surpassing pre-pandemic levels and marking a 7% increase compared to the previous year. But without an effective marketing strategy, your restaurant risks remaining a well-kept secret.
Summary
In this article, you’ll discover:
- Restaurant marketing: know your customers
- Marketing for hotels and restaurants: your brand is the soul of your restaurant
- Dear Colleague, here’s how to fill your tables with digital tools (and more)
- Other details you shouldn’t overlook
- Dear Colleague: your ally for food marketing
Restaurant marketing: know your customers
To truly grow, you need to understand who your customers are, what they want, and what brings them back. Talk to them, ask for feedback, and observe their habits. Analyze reviews — they’re a goldmine of insights. Define your buyer persona: a clear profile of your ideal customer.
Did you know that over 65% of consumers read online reviews before choosing a restaurant? Remember: attracting is not enough — you also need to retain. That’s why you must not overlook restaurant marketing.
Marketing for hotels and restaurants: your brand is the soul of your restaurant
A brand is not just a logo or a name. It’s the experience you offer, the identity you communicate, the emotion you leave behind. What’s your unique proposition? Traditional cuisine? Cozy atmosphere? Breathtaking view? Tell your story — people love true tales full of passion. Be consistent — from your signage to your tone of voice online.
Being authentic and consistent makes you recognizable and memorable.
Dear Colleague, here’s how to fill your tables with digital tools (and more)
Today, if you really want your restaurant to be full every night, great food alone is not enough. You also need to know how to tell your story — and online hotel marketing can become your most powerful ally.
- Let’s start with the basics: your website.
It’s your digital storefront, always open, even when the dining room lights are off. It should be simple, clear, and easy to navigate — especially on smartphones. Show your menu, upload mouth-watering photos of your dishes, display contact info, and enable one-click reservations. The more accessible it is, the more it becomes a real tool to get people through your door.
- Then there’s local SEO — making sure hungry people near you can find you.
Do you already have a Google Business profile? If not, create one now. It’s free, effective, and helps you show up on Google when someone searches for a restaurant like yours. Use keywords tied to your city and your cuisine — for example, “typical trattoria Milan” or “artisan pizza Bologna.” It’s not a minor detail: over 80% of Italian restaurants have already introduced digital tools in their business. Don’t fall behind.
- Social media is no longer just a pastime.
It’s the stage where you showcase your style, your food, your personality. Instagram, Facebook, and even TikTok (if you enjoy using it) are ideal for posting photos, videos, stories, and behind-the-scenes content from your kitchen. Don’t just “post” — engage, reply, ask for opinions. That’s how you build a real community around your restaurant. It’s no surprise that 97% of restaurateurs use Facebook, 94% use Instagram, and 83% use Google Business.
- And then there are online reviews.
A well-managed review can be worth more than an ad. Ask satisfied customers to leave reviews — and always reply. Even (and especially) to criticism. That’s where professionalism shines.
- Another useful tool? Email marketing.
It lets you stay in touch with those who’ve already visited. Collect contacts (with their consent), then send a newsletter from time to time with offers, events, or updates. It’s a personal way to stay in your customers’ memory — and heart.
Other details you shouldn’t overlook beyond food and marketing
Now, it’s not just about food and marketing. Because promotion also happens inside the venue, in the little things. How you welcome guests, the scents when they enter, the background music, the furniture you chose. Everything speaks about you — everything communicates who you are.
Organize events and theme nights: a regional dinner, a guided tasting, maybe a show cooking session. People love to live experiences — not just eat.
And then, look beyond your restaurant. There are local producers, artisans, and agritourisms you can collaborate with. Something special and mutually beneficial can come out of it.
Lastly, don’t forget good old word of mouth: reward loyal customers, create small loyalty programs. People will talk about you. And you know what? It works.
In 2023, over 10,000 new restaurant businesses were born in Italy: competition is growing, but so is people’s interest in new experiences.
Dear Colleague: your ally for food marketing
At this point, you might be asking: “But how can I manage all this?” And you’re right. It’s time for some self-assessment. How much time do you have for marketing? What can you handle personally? What could you delegate?
If you think you need help, choose the right partners, like Dear Colleague. See what they’ve done, evaluate their projects, ask for references.
The point isn’t doing everything on your own. To elevate your business with food and marketing, it’s essential to do the important things well — and to know when to ask for help. And if you’re interested in our tips, check out our blog!
And if you want a first consultation, with no obligation, book it here! Follow us on Instagram and Facebook for more advice!
