How and why some restaurants dominate on social media
10 social-savvy restaurant brands you should be following
What each brand does well on social media + 23 examples of effective posts
Some restaurant brands make social media look effortless. Their posts get dozens of comments, thousands of likes, and, in some cases, millions of views.
But behind every social-savvy restaurant is a team of strategists (shoutout teams of one!) with clearly defined goals who know their brand inside out, recognize the value of each platform, deeply understand the interests of their target audience, and keep up with the latest trends.
Why put in so much energy? Because social media is essential for reaching current and potential guests, especially those under 40. And, despite inflation, roughly 40% of Gen Z and Millennials intend to splurge on restaurants this year.
No matter the size of your brand or budget, you can learn a thing or two by studying the social media accounts of the following 10 Olo customers. Though they vary greatly in size, service model, social strategy, and audience, each of these restaurant brands has a firmly established brand identity, highly engaged fans, and a whole lot of creativity.
Shake Shack makes guests and employees feel valued by treating social media as a conversation.
Instagram , X , TikTok , Facebook
Few brands wield the power of social media quite like Jimmy John’s—from teaming up with influencers to capitalizing on the popularity of TV shows and trends.
Instagram , X , Facebook , TikTok
Bodega uses a mix of professional and lo-fi imagery, coupled with user-generated content, to bring the brand to life on social media.
Chili’s is famous for its social media agility—and quick wit.
One look at Dave’s Hot Chicken’s social media profiles and you’ll feel the heat.
Bluestone Lane’s social strategy is tailor-made for its target market and often features user-generated content.
Instagram , Facebook , TikTok
Ocean Prime’s Instagram feed is consistently on-brand with visually cohesive images and videos.
Instagram , Facebook
Pokeworks demonstrates how its dishes come together in mouthwatering video content.
Heirloom Hospitality spotlights employees and gives guests a sneak peek at what’s being served across its five concepts.
Instagram , Facebook , LinkedIn
Smashburger collaborates with influencers to extend its reach and gives fans a reason to follow with exclusive deals.
Scrolling through the examples above, you probably noticed a few recurring themes. Regardless of their size or service model, social media-savvy restaurants have a few things in common: an established brand identity, clear objectives, a deep understanding of their audience, platform-specific content (including user-generated), friendly interaction with followers, helpful links, and a willingness to think outside the box.
When formulating your own restaurant’s social media strategy, remember: you get out what you put in. Don’t let social media be an afterthought. Meet your guests where they are online, lean into their interests, and start driving revenue.
Get more tips to help your restaurant reach Gen Z and Millennials on social media . And check out Engage to find out how Olo’s restaurant marketing platform can support your guest acquisition and retention goals.
Photo by Spencer Davis at Unsplash
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