The in-depth and credible research, meticulously carried out by Grynow Media a leading influencer marketing agency , highlights how restaurant brands once relied solely on conventional marketing methods like newspaper ads, TV commercials, radio spots, and billboards to attract diners. Well, not anymore. Restaurants using digital marketing strategies achieved 2.5 times more revenue growth than traditional advertising methods. (Deloitte) In fact, for the past decade, influencer marketing has been all the rage, and now it’s consuming industries like food, beverage, and restaurants. During the first half of 2023, as many as 437,000 creators had discussed food and beverage brands, leading to around 1.2 million posts, 75 billion impressions, and 3 billion engagements with their posts. To add to the hype, 90% of consumers actively research restaurants online before dining and nearly 50% of consumers depend on influencer recommendations for discovering new restaurants. (Profile Tree) That makes us conclude that partnering with influencers will only greatly benefit your restaurant brand to gain superiority in the industry. As we move towards the core of our blog, we will break down and understand how exactly partnering with these food influencers will benefit your restaurant brand in the long run. Let’s look at some of the many reasons why your restaurant should partner with a food influencer now!
When a food influencer advocates for your restaurant, talks about your dishes and raves about the overall dining experience, their followers are bound to be hooked. Hooked with the idea that they have to have the same experience. These food influencers have the ability to put your restaurant in the spotlight by sharing your delicious dishes and incredible dining experiences. Ultimately, this helps more people discover your restaurant and increase footfall for your business.
When it comes to food, capturing the essence of each crunch or the slow devouring of each dessert is necessary. Food influencers excel at using visuals to tell a story about your restaurant. Dining out is a sensory experience, and influencers bring it to life in ways that words alone can’t by pinpointing everything from the small details, like the plating of dishes, to the overall ambiance of your space to create a wholesome experience.
We are aware that influencer marketing is already known for its 10x ROI, and partnering with food influencers will generate a strong return on investment (ROI), making it a cost-effective way to increase profits. Their ability to create buzz and attract new customers directly translates into increased foot traffic, more bookings, and higher sales.
Food influencers help you connect with local diners as well as attract customers from other cities. Partnering with influencers based in your area can strengthen your restaurant’s presence within the local community and draw in nearby food enthusiasts. On top of that, inviting influencers from different cities can help you appeal to tourists and non-local customers.
Food influencers sharing their dining experiences at your restaurant create authentic user-generated content that feels personal and relatable. From drool-worthy photos of your signature dishes to honest reviews of your ambiance and service, this content feels more like a genuine recommendation. Not to mention, the personal touch that comes with UGC builds trust and encourages others to visit your restaurant.
Food influencers possess a unique ability to turn their followers into your customers. Their post about your restaurant, be it them posting a rave review of your extravagant dish or a video of their dining experience, sparks interest amongst their audience. Thus, their recommendations lead to increased reservations, walk-ins, and even takeout orders.
That said, let’s take a look at what an influencer marketing campaign can do for your restaurant.
A top food influencer in India, Pujarini Mitra and Sozo, a newly launched rooftop restaurant in Bangalore, collaborated to execute a commendable influencer marketing campaign. The creator started by showcasing the restaurant’s accurate location, pinpointing its breathtaking panoramic views of Bangalore’s iconic landmarks. Pujarini also portrayed the restaurant’s modern ambiance, along with mouth-watering delicacies and stunningly presented mocktails, with a spotlight on Sozo’s specialty, which is its highly acclaimed Pan Asian flavors. The result? The campaign generated almost 110k views and consecutively increased Sozo’s engagements across social media platforms, drawing attention from food enthusiasts and local diners alike.
As we come towards the end of our blog, it’s pretty evident that food influencers are a major part of shaping the success of modern restaurants. With their ability to connect with their audience through engaging content, one-of-a-kind storytelling, mesmerizing visuals, and targeted outreach, these food influencers are considered an invaluable asset for restaurant brands. So, if you are a restaurant brand, looking over this could mean missing out on a major growth opportunity.