As a restaurant owner, you want more people to walk through your doors, enjoy your food, and tell others about it. To make this happen, you need a strong restaurant marketing plan. If you’re starting from scratch, don’t worry. This guide will help you create a simple yet effective restaurant growth strategy.

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How to Start Marketing From Scratch?

Starting with no experience can feel overwhelming, but it’s simpler than you think. Here’s where you begin:

1. Know Your Restaurant’s Purpose

Ask yourself, why did you start your restaurant? What makes it special? Understanding this will help you create a clear message for your customers. For example, if you serve fresh organic meals, that should be part of your marketing message.

2. Identify Your Target Audience

You can’t appeal to everyone. Focus on your ideal customers. Are they families, working professionals, or college students?
Look at your current customers. What’s common among them? Age? Job type? Lifestyle?

3. Set Clear Goals

Before starting any marketing activity, decide what you want to achieve. Is it:

• Getting more customers to dine in?
• Boosting delivery orders?
• Want to increase by 20% in the next three months?

Clear goals make it easier to measure your success.

How Do You Make a Marketing Plan From Scratch?

Now that you know your audience and goals, it’s time to make your marketing plan. Follow these steps:

Step 1: Define Your Marketing Budget

Decide how much you can spend on marketing each month. The general rule is to allocate 3-5% of your monthly revenue to marketing. According to Small Business Trends, businesses that spend on marketing grow 15-20% faster than those that don’t.

Step 2: Choose the Right Marketing Channels

Here’s a breakdown of marketing options:

• Social Media: Platforms like Instagram and Facebook are great for showcasing food photos and promotions.
• Local Advertising: Flyers, posters, or radio ads work well if you serve a local audience.
• Online Listings: Make sure your restaurant is listed on Google, Yelp, and TripAdvisor.

Choose 2-3 channels that fit your budget and audience.

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Step 3: Create a Content Plan

A good restaurant marketing strategy plan includes regular posts or campaigns. For instance:

• Post on Instagram 3 times a week.
• Run a discount campaign every month.
• Share behind-the-scenes stories of your kitchen staff.

This keeps customers engaged and interested.

Step 4: Focus on Customer Experience

Happy customers are your best marketers. Make sure your service, food, and cleanliness leave a lasting impression. According to Statista, 80% of customers won’t return to a restaurant after a bad experience.
Use customer feedback to improve. Offer small rewards, such as discounts or free appetizers, to encourage diners to leave online reviews.

Step-by-Step Restaurant Marketing Plan

Let’s say you own a family restaurant. Here’s how your marketing strategy plan might look:

1. Target Audience: Families with children in your local area.
2. Goal: Increase weekend dine-ins by 20%.
3. Budget: $500 per month.
4. Channels:
   • Facebook for local ads.
   • Distribution of flyers in nearby schools.
   • A referral program offering discounts for families who bring friends.
5. Content Plan:
   • Weekly Facebook posts showing kid-friendly dishes.
   • A monthly “Kids Eat Free” event promotion.
   • Highlight testimonials from happy families.

Restaurant Marketing Strategies You Should Use

Here are some restaurant marketing strategies that work:

1. Leverage Social Media

Take high-quality photos of your dishes. Use videos to showcase your chefs in action. Hashtags like #Foodie or #BestEats can help your posts reach more people.
Instagram posts with at least one hashtag get 12.6% more engagement (Source: Later).

2. Offer Promotions and Discounts

Run limited-time offers to create urgency. For example:

• Buy one meal, get one free.
• 20% off for first-time customers.
  These offers encourage people to visit your restaurant.

3. Collaborate With Food Influencers

Invite local food bloggers to try your menu. Their reviews can reach hundreds, even thousands of potential customers.

4. Run Loyalty Programs

Reward repeat customers with discounts or free items. For example: Buy 5 meals, get the 6th free.
Loyal customers spend 67% more than new customers (Source: Forbes).

Final Tips for a Winning Marketing Plan

Track Your Results

Keep an eye on what’s working and what isn’t. If Instagram posts bring more customers, focus there. If flyers don’t work, stop wasting money on them.

Be Consistent

Marketing isn’t a one-time thing. It’s an ongoing process. Set aside time each week to review and plan your marketing activities.

Use Technology

A point-of-sale (POS) system can help you track sales trends, customer preferences, and more. Tools like these give you valuable data to improve your marketing efforts.

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Creating a restaurant marketing plan from scratch doesn’t have to be complicated. Focus on your strengths, know your audience, and use strategies that fit your goals. With consistent effort, you’ll see more happy customers, higher sales, and a growing business.

Start today, and remember that a small step is better than no step!