restaurant marketing Archives - BillBerry POS

In the world of food, taste brings them in once, but marketing keeps them coming back. For restaurant owners in 2025, surviving on footfall alone is no longer sustainable. With digital menus, instant delivery, and customers who scroll before they stroll, marketing has become the backbone of restaurant success. Whether you’re running a single outlet or managing a growing chain, knowing how to promote your brand is just as important as what’s on your menu. Let’s check out some restaurant marketing techniques!

Why Marketing is Non-Negotiable for Restaurant Success

Gone are the days when good food and word of mouth were enough. Today’s diners expect convenience, engagement, and experiences — all before even stepping into your restaurant. If your brand isn’t visible on Google, Instagram, or delivery platforms, you’re invisible to your next customer.

A strong marketing plan helps you:

~ Drive more orders (online and offline)

~ Build a loyal customer base

~ Stay ahead of competition (and algorithm changes)

~ Turn casual diners into regulars

What Makes 2025 Different?

The way people discover and choose where to eat has changed dramatically. Here’s what’s shaping restaurant marketing in 2025:

~ Tech shifts: AI is influencing everything from personalized offers to automated replies. POS systems and analytics tools are smarter and easier to use.

~ Delivery-first behavior: With Swiggy, Zomato, and ONDC growing rapidly, customers often experience your brand before they taste your food.

~ Short-form content dominance: Reels, Stories, and WhatsApp statuses are now key brand touchpoints.

~ Data-backed decisions: No more guesswork, restaurants that track customer behavior through digital tools are seeing higher ROI on every rupee spent.

In this blog, we’ll explore 10 powerful marketing techniques that are actually working for restaurants in 2025, with tips to help you implement them without needing an agency or a massive budget.

Let’s dive in.

Optimize Your Google Business Profile

When someone searches “best biryani near me,” Google decides whether your restaurant shows up — and your Google Business Profile (GBP) is what makes or breaks that decision.

Why Local SEO for restaurants Matters?

Local SEO is the new footfall. A well-optimized Google Business Profile helps you:

~ Appear in the top 3 “map pack” listings

~ Show updated info like hours, menu, and delivery options

~ Collect reviews that influence new customers instantly

How to Improve It:

~ Use keywords in your business description (e.g., “pure veg restaurant in Ahmedabad”)

~ Post updates weekly, show specials, events, or even Reels

~ Collect reviews through QR codes placed on tables or bill folders

~ Respond to every review, especially the bad ones, it shows you’re active and care

Pro Tip: Add high-quality food and ambience photos regularly. Google rewards engagement.

Use Instagram Reels and Stories

In 2025, if it’s not on Reels, it didn’t happen.

Instagram is no longer just a pretty feed, it’s your 24/7 branding engine. Stories and Reels give you direct access to your audience’s attention daily.

What to Post:

~ Behind-the-scenes: Chef plating dishes, staff prepping for service, morning chai moments

~ Trending audio + food visuals: Match delicious shots with trending sounds for higher reach

~ Customer reactions: Capture bite moments, birthday celebrations, or genuine testimonials

~ Quick recipes or “1-minute prep” reels: Perform great with foodies and home cooks

Keep it authentic. Don’t aim for perfection, aim for emotion and relatability.

Collaborate with Food Influencers

Influencers are today’s food critics, but way more relatable.

Whether you’re in a metro or a Tier-2 town, there are creators with loyal audiences looking for new food experiences.

Micro vs Macro:

~ Micro influencers (5k–50k followers) are hyperlocal and cost-effective

~ Macro influencers (100k+) offer broader reach but need a bigger budget

How to Partner the Right Way:

~ Offer them a custom experience: a tasting menu, behind-the-scenes tour, or meet-the-chef

~ Discuss expectations beforehand: Will they post a Reel? Story? Review?

~ Encourage authentic content, not scripted ads

Bonus: Track results using promo codes or dedicated booking links.

Loyalty Programs That Actually Work

A full restaurant is great, but a restaurant full of returning customers is even better.

That’s where loyalty programs come in. But in 2025, the paper punch cards are gone. What works now are tech-enabled rewards tied to real customer behavior.

Tech-Enabled Loyalty Ideas:

~ Offer cashback or points on every order via your POS or app

~ Send milestone rewards (e.g. “5th visit = free dessert”)

~ Use QR codes on tables or bills for customers to check points instantly

Why Data is Gold:

~ Track who your repeat customers are

~ See what they order, when they visit, and what rewards convert them

~ Use this data to personalize offers that feel thoughtful, not spammy

Tools like Billberry POS, offer in-built loyalty features that integrate seamlessly with billing and delivery.

Run Geo-Targeted Ads

If your restaurant is in Bandra, there’s no point showing ads to people in Borivali.

Geo-targeted ads let you speak directly to hungry customers nearby, whether on Google, Instagram, or Facebook, at the exact moment they’re looking for food.

Google & Meta Ads Tips:

~ Use location-based keywords like “late-night Chinese near Ghatkopar”

~ Add a call extension so customers can tap-to-call directly

~ For Meta (Instagram/Facebook), use “Get Directions” or “Order Now” CTAs

Budgeting Smartly:

~ Set radius targeting: 3–5 km around your outlet

~ Run ads during peak times (lunch/dinner hours)

~ Start small (₹200–₹500/day) and scale based on what performs

Bonus Tip: Use eye-catching creatives with your best dishes + social proof (“Rated 4.8 stars by 300+ foodies”).

SMS & WhatsApp Promotions

Even in the era of Reels and AI, nothing beats a well-timed SMS or WhatsApp message.

The open rates? Still unbeatable.
The conversion rate? Even better when paired with offers.

What to Send:

~ Flash deals: “20% off today only!”

~ Event invites: “Live music this Friday at our rooftop”

~ Personal messages: “Hi Raj, your favorite pizza is back!”

Compliance & Best Practices:

~ Always get opt-in consent (via QR forms or during billing)

~ Send messages at the right time (avoid early morning or late night)

~ Use templates with personalization tags (Name, Favorite Dish, Last Visit)

~ You can use platforms like Wati, Textlocal, or POS-integrated tools like Billberry CRM to automate this.

Optimize for Swiggy & Zomato

When customers are scrolling through endless options on Swiggy and Zomato, you want your restaurant to stand out and rank higher — not hide at the bottom.

Optimizing your delivery platform presence is one of the most overlooked restaurant marketing techniques in 2025.

How to Rank Higher:

~ Maintain accurate menus, timings, and photos

~ Use popular keywords in your item names (e.g., “Butter Garlic Naan – Most Ordered”)

~ Ensure quick response times to avoid penalties

~ Encourage happy customers to rate you within the app

Use Discounts Strategically:

~ Offer limited-time deals on low-traffic days

~ Use combo offers to increase average order value

~ Track which discounts convert, and avoid over-discounting

Tip: A well-optimized Zomato/Swiggy listing is free organic marketing, treat it like a second storefront.

Read: The Journey Of Swiggy and Zomato

Host In-House Events & Experiences

People don’t just go out to eat, they go out for experiences.

One of the most powerful restaurant marketing techniques that builds both loyalty and buzz is hosting engaging in-house events that make people want to return and tell their friends.

What You Can Host:

~ Live music nights to attract weekend footfall

~ Open mic events that turn your space into a cultural hub

~ Chef’s Table nights where guests experience curated tasting menus

How to Market Them:

~ Create countdown posts on Instagram Stories

~ Promote via WhatsApp broadcast lists

~ Partner with local event pages or influencers to spread the word

Bonus: Capture content during these events to reuse in Reels and ads.

Monitor & Adjust with Analytics

Even the best restaurant marketing techniques fail if you’re not tracking what works. Guesswork is out, data-backed decision-making is in.

Whether it’s understanding your most profitable menu item or the best day to run offers, analytics turn insights into action.

Key KPIs to Track:

~ Daily sales and footfall

~ Repeat customer rate

~ Cost per order (especially from online platforms)

~ Offer redemption rates

Tools That Help:

~ Petpooja’s Analytics Dashboard

~ Billberry POS Insights

~ Google My Business metrics (calls, directions, views)

~ Instagram & Meta ad manager insights

~ Use these tools weekly to refine your campaigns, adjust offers, and double down on what’s working.

Powered Growth Starts with the Right Tools

Great restaurant marketing techniques will bring people to your door, but what happens after that determines whether they’ll come back. That’s where Billberry POS becomes your growth partner, not just your billing software.

From collecting customer data for personalized loyalty rewards to tracking sales trends, managing inventory, and automating promotions on WhatsApp or SMS, Billberry is built to help you market smarter, serve faster, and grow consistently.

Why Restaurants Choose Billberry?

✅ Built for the food industry — Whether you’re a QSR, cloud kitchen, or fine dining outlet

✅ Integrated loyalty & CRM — Run targeted campaigns and retain customers

✅ Delivery-friendly — Works seamlessly with Swiggy/Zomato workflows

✅ Data-rich reports — Make every marketing move based on real-time numbers

✅ Multi-outlet ready — Designed to scale with your brand

Promotions Made Easy:

~ Launch geo-targeted offers right from your dashboard

~ Send personalized SMS/WhatsApp campaigns

~ Track which promo codes and ads actually bring footfall

Ready to Grow Your Restaurant in 2025?

Marketing doesn’t stop at likes and clicks, it continues at the billing counter, in the kitchen, and through every repeat order.
Billberry POS ties it all together so your entire business runs like your first outlet, efficient, data-driven, and customer-first.

Book your FREE DEMO today and get a custom strategy for your restaurant!

Let’s rewind to the end of 2024. While many casual-dining brands were scratching their heads over stagnant footfalls and shrinking margins, one name unexpectedly made a dramatic comeback, Chili’s Grill & Bar. Yes, that same Chili’s we all associate with molten chocolate cakes and endless chips & salsa posted a jaw-dropping 31% growth in same-store sales from October to December. It wasn’t a fluke. And it wasn’t just clever ads or discounts either. This was a restaurant marketing case study in the making, and for anyone in the restaurant business, the lessons are golden.

At the recent Restaurant Leadership Conference (RLC), George Felix, Chili’s CMO, took the stage alongside their CEO, Kevin Hochman, who had just received the prestigious Restaurant Leader of the Year award. While the applause was still ringing, Felix unpacked the playbook behind Chili’s “sizzling success” in front of a packed room.

So, what exactly happened behind the scenes? And what can your restaurant learn from it?

Let’s dig in. 🍽️

George Felix

Lesson 1: Good Marketing Can’t Cover for Bad Operations

George Felix didn’t sugarcoat it. In fact, one of his strongest points was a warning:

“If your fundamentals aren’t solid, the worst thing you can do is have good marketing.”

At first, that might sound counterintuitive. Isn’t good marketing what every restaurant dreams of?

But here’s the catch, marketing may bring new customers to your door, but operations are what bring them back. If your staff isn’t ready, your service falters, or your systems are clunky, you lose not just a sale, but a potential loyalist.

Imagine promoting a “Cheesy Nacho Madness” night on Instagram, only to realize your kitchen runs out of cheese at 8 PM and your billing system crashes due to the rush. That’s not a campaign; that’s a crisis.

Chili’s didn’t make that mistake. Their marketing team worked hand-in-hand with operations. Every time they prepared for a campaign, the team made sure the kitchen, staff, and supply chain were just as prepped. It was teamwork in action, marketing brought the spark, operations kept the flame alive.

At Billberry, we see this pattern often: restaurants focusing solely on promotion / restaurant marketing, forgetting the process behind it. That’s where the real work lies. You need systems that scale, not just ideas that trend.

You can also read: Choosing Cafe Billing Software? Think Beyond Features

Lesson 2: Great Ideas Don’t Always Come from the Top

Here’s where it gets juicy. Literally. One of Chili’s most viral menu items, Nashville Hot Mozzarella, wasn’t born out of a campaign meeting. It started as a casual text from their Chief Supply Chain Officer, James Butler, to George Felix.

The message?
“Have you tried our fried mozzarella with Nashville hot sauce?”

That single message snowballed into something much bigger. The next thing you know, the test kitchen was experimenting with the combo. A few weeks later, it hit TikTok as a secret menu item. And then? Boom, 100 million views and endless viral cheese pulls. This is what George Felix called a “culture of listening and innovation.”

It’s not just about following trends; it’s about listening, to your team, your guests, even your gut. Because sometimes, the most viral ideas don’t come from a restaurant marketing brief, they come from real people who care.

So, restaurant owners, here’s your challenge:
Are you creating an environment where your staff, from waiters to store managers, feel free to share ideas? Are those ideas reaching the decision-makers? If not, you might be missing your next big hit.

You can also read: UrbanPiper’s Bold U.S. Expansion: What It Means for the Food Tech Ecosystem

Lesson 3: Make It ‘Supermarket Simple

Let’s talk loyalty programs. We all know they’re powerful, but only when done right. Chili’s took a hard look at their existing rewards system and realized it was… well, a little too clever. So clever, in fact, that customers found it confusing and didn’t engage much.

George Felix shared how their VP of Marketing, Steve Kelly, coined a phrase that reshaped their entire approach:

“Make it supermarket simple.”

Think about it. At a grocery store, you either scan a keychain tag or punch in your phone number. No rocket science. And then, boom, you see your discounts applying in real time. Chili’s is now rebuilding its loyalty program to match that simplicity.

This lesson is HUGE for small and mid-size restaurants. You don’t need an app with 20 features if your diners only understand 3 of them. Don’t over-complicate rewards with points, levels, unlocks, badges, and hoops to jump through. Keep it clean. Keep it quick. Keep it rewarding.

Lesson 4: Watch What Your Customers Are Already Doing

Not every campaign needs to start with a whiteboard and brainstorming session. Sometimes, you just need to scroll.

That’s exactly what Chili’s did when they noticed their Triple Dipper appetizer organically taking off on social media. People were sharing it. Reviewing it. Raving about it. Instead of sitting on it, Chili’s leaned in. The restaurant marketing team “poured gas on the fire,” in George’s words.

➡️ They launched influencer collabs.
➡️ Added more secret menu surprises.
➡️ Created digital buzz around fried cheese and dipping sauces.

The result? A dish that went from casual menu item to viral brand symbol. Here’s your takeaway: your audience is already telling you what they love. The question is, are you listening? Track the trends. Read the comments. Watch which items get reordered. Your customers are your R&D team, free of charge.

Also read: Why Most Cafes Fail in Their First Year

Wrapping It Up: The Chili’s Comeback Formula

If you look closely, the Chili’s comeback story isn’t about big budgets or celebrity chefs. It’s about synergy.

✅ A marketing team that listens.
✅ An operations team that delivers.
✅ A leadership team that empowers.
✅ And a tech ecosystem that supports it all.

For every restaurant owner, cafe manager, or QSR brand trying to scale, this isn’t just a story of viral cheese. It’s a blueprint.

And whether you’re serving dosas in Delhi, sushi in Surat, or burgers in Bengaluru, these lessons apply to you. At the heart of every great food business is a great system, one that connects the front of the house to the back, ideas to execution, and dreams to data.

That’s exactly why BillBerry POS exists.

We’re not just a billing software, we’re your partner in growth. Whether you want to spot top-selling combos or simplify rewards, we’ve got your back.

👉 Schedule your free demo now
Let’s write your comeback story together.

Tag: restaurant marketing

10 Proven Restaurant Marketing Techniques to Boost Your Sales in 2025