GITNUXREPORT 2025

Marketing In The Culinary Industry Statistics

Digital marketing boosts restaurant visibility, engagement, sales, and customer retention effectively.

Jannik Linder

Co-Founder of Gitnux, specialized in content and tech since 2016.

First published: April 29, 2025

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Statistic 1

47% of fast-food chains use gamified apps or marketing campaigns to engage customers

Statistic 2

60% of diners say they discover new restaurants through social media platforms

Statistic 3

49% of consumers say they have made restaurant reservations directly through social media platforms

Statistic 4

63% of diners prefer to see photos of dishes before ordering

Statistic 5

65% of consumers check menus online before visiting a restaurant

Statistic 6

65% of millennials follow at least one restaurant on social media

Statistic 7

68% of consumers use Google to find restaurant information

Statistic 8

49% of restaurant websites have integrated reservation systems

Statistic 9

63% of diners say personalized marketing messages influence their decision to visit a restaurant

Statistic 10

39% of restaurants plan to use augmented reality (AR) marketing tools in 2024

Statistic 11

37% of restaurant owners believe that loyalty programs are crucial for customer retention

Statistic 12

55% of consumers are more likely to order from restaurants offering personalized menu suggestions online

Statistic 13

72% of consumers are more likely to visit a restaurant that has an active social media presence

Statistic 14

Instagram is the preferred platform for 71% of restaurant marketing campaigns

Statistic 15

80% of food and beverage brands plan to increase their digital ad spend in 2024

Statistic 16

Email marketing campaigns have an average ROI of $42 for every $1 spent

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45% of restaurant owners report a significant increase in customer engagement after implementing influencer marketing

Statistic 18

70% of restaurant in-house marketing budgets are allocated to digital channels

Statistic 19

42% of restaurant bookings are influenced by promotional offers shared on social media

Statistic 20

50% of consumers say they follow their favorite restaurant brands on social media for special offers and updates

Statistic 21

67% of restaurants plan to increase investment in TikTok marketing in 2024

Statistic 22

69% of restaurant managers believe that digital marketing is more effective than traditional marketing methods

Statistic 23

61% of restaurant operators report increased customer retention after implementing digital marketing tactics

Statistic 24

29% of restaurants plan to collaborate more with local influencers to boost visibility in 2024

Statistic 25

53% of consumers say engaging social media content influences their dining choice

Statistic 26

40% of restaurant marketing budget goes toward content creation

Statistic 27

62% of restaurant owners see improved customer feedback after launching online marketing campaigns

Statistic 28

76% of restaurant businesses believe that social media has increased foot traffic

Statistic 29

58% of restaurant marketers say influencer collaborations result in measurable sales increase

Statistic 30

42% of consumers follow food brands on social media for updates and promotions

Statistic 31

69% of restaurant marketers plan to increase investment in TikTok over the next year

Statistic 32

78% of restaurants have a dedicated digital marketing team or role

Statistic 33

48% of diners use mobile apps to place orders at restaurants

Statistic 34

75% of restaurant loyalty programs are now integrated with mobile apps

Statistic 35

58% of consumers prefer to order food via restaurant websites rather than third-party apps

Statistic 36

60% of restaurants see increased revenue after adopting digital ordering and delivery tools

Statistic 37

44% of restaurant reservations are made via mobile devices

Statistic 38

55% of restaurant customers update their order based on online reviews

Statistic 39

38% of restaurants use user-generated content to promote their brand

Statistic 40

54% of consumers rely on online reviews when choosing a restaurant

Statistic 41

33% of restaurant customers find new menu items from influencer reviews

Statistic 42

53% of consumers share their positive restaurant experiences on social media

Statistic 43

45% of diners say they are influenced by social media reviews when choosing a restaurant

Statistic 44

66% of diners say they are influenced by star ratings and reviews online

Statistic 45

55% of social media users say they discover new restaurants or food brands through TikTok videos

Statistic 46

83% of food and beverage brands use videos as part of their marketing strategy

Statistic 47

44% of diners say photos of food influence their decision to order

Statistic 48

88% of restaurant marketing efforts include visual content

Statistic 49

50% of consumers rely on online food photos before choosing a restaurant

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Key Highlights

72% of consumers are more likely to visit a restaurant that has an active social media presence
60% of diners say they discover new restaurants through social media platforms
Instagram is the preferred platform for 71% of restaurant marketing campaigns
55% of restaurant customers update their order based on online reviews
80% of food and beverage brands plan to increase their digital ad spend in 2024
Email marketing campaigns have an average ROI of $42 for every $1 spent
49% of consumers say they have made restaurant reservations directly through social media platforms
63% of diners prefer to see photos of dishes before ordering
45% of restaurant owners report a significant increase in customer engagement after implementing influencer marketing
65% of consumers check menus online before visiting a restaurant
70% of restaurant in-house marketing budgets are allocated to digital channels
38% of restaurants use user-generated content to promote their brand
54% of consumers rely on online reviews when choosing a restaurant

In a fiercely competitive culinary landscape, where 72% of consumers are more likely to visit a restaurant with an active social media presence, digital marketing has become the recipe for success in driving foot traffic, reservations, and customer loyalty.

Customer Engagement

47% of fast-food chains use gamified apps or marketing campaigns to engage customers

Customer Engagement Interpretation

With nearly half of fast-food chains turning to gamified apps for customer engagement, it's clear that the industry is treating digital interactions like a game—where the real prize is their next order.

Customer Engagement and Discovery

60% of diners say they discover new restaurants through social media platforms
49% of consumers say they have made restaurant reservations directly through social media platforms
63% of diners prefer to see photos of dishes before ordering
65% of consumers check menus online before visiting a restaurant
65% of millennials follow at least one restaurant on social media
68% of consumers use Google to find restaurant information
49% of restaurant websites have integrated reservation systems
63% of diners say personalized marketing messages influence their decision to visit a restaurant
39% of restaurants plan to use augmented reality (AR) marketing tools in 2024
37% of restaurant owners believe that loyalty programs are crucial for customer retention
55% of consumers are more likely to order from restaurants offering personalized menu suggestions online

Customer Engagement and Discovery Interpretation

In an era where a swipe can lead to a bite, restaurants that master social media, visual appetizing menus, and personalized digital experiences are cooking up a competitive recipe for success amid a tech-savvy dining public.

Digital and Social Media Marketing

72% of consumers are more likely to visit a restaurant that has an active social media presence
Instagram is the preferred platform for 71% of restaurant marketing campaigns
80% of food and beverage brands plan to increase their digital ad spend in 2024
Email marketing campaigns have an average ROI of $42 for every $1 spent
45% of restaurant owners report a significant increase in customer engagement after implementing influencer marketing
70% of restaurant in-house marketing budgets are allocated to digital channels
42% of restaurant bookings are influenced by promotional offers shared on social media
50% of consumers say they follow their favorite restaurant brands on social media for special offers and updates
67% of restaurants plan to increase investment in TikTok marketing in 2024
69% of restaurant managers believe that digital marketing is more effective than traditional marketing methods
61% of restaurant operators report increased customer retention after implementing digital marketing tactics
29% of restaurants plan to collaborate more with local influencers to boost visibility in 2024
53% of consumers say engaging social media content influences their dining choice
40% of restaurant marketing budget goes toward content creation
62% of restaurant owners see improved customer feedback after launching online marketing campaigns
76% of restaurant businesses believe that social media has increased foot traffic
58% of restaurant marketers say influencer collaborations result in measurable sales increase
42% of consumers follow food brands on social media for updates and promotions
69% of restaurant marketers plan to increase investment in TikTok over the next year
78% of restaurants have a dedicated digital marketing team or role

Digital and Social Media Marketing Interpretation

In an industry where a picture may be worth a thousand dollars, restaurant marketers are betting heavily on digital – with 78% now having dedicated teams, 70% allocating most of their budgets to online channels, and 67% shifting their focus toward TikTok—proving that in the culinary world, if you're not social, you're not serving.

Mobile Ordering and Digital Tools

48% of diners use mobile apps to place orders at restaurants
75% of restaurant loyalty programs are now integrated with mobile apps
58% of consumers prefer to order food via restaurant websites rather than third-party apps
60% of restaurants see increased revenue after adopting digital ordering and delivery tools
44% of restaurant reservations are made via mobile devices

Mobile Ordering and Digital Tools Interpretation

These statistics underscore that in the culinary industry, embracing digital ordering and loyalty integrations isn't just a trend—it's the secret sauce for boosting revenue, satisfying modern diners, and staying ahead in the fiercely competitive food business.

Online Reviews and User-Generated Content

55% of restaurant customers update their order based on online reviews
38% of restaurants use user-generated content to promote their brand
54% of consumers rely on online reviews when choosing a restaurant
33% of restaurant customers find new menu items from influencer reviews
53% of consumers share their positive restaurant experiences on social media
45% of diners say they are influenced by social media reviews when choosing a restaurant
66% of diners say they are influenced by star ratings and reviews online

Online Reviews and User-Generated Content Interpretation

In an era where a glowing review can make or break a dish, restaurants must cook up authentic user content and star ratings to serve the modern diner’s appetite for social proof and influence.

Video Content and Visual Influence

55% of social media users say they discover new restaurants or food brands through TikTok videos
83% of food and beverage brands use videos as part of their marketing strategy
44% of diners say photos of food influence their decision to order
88% of restaurant marketing efforts include visual content
50% of consumers rely on online food photos before choosing a restaurant

Video Content and Visual Influence Interpretation

With over half of social media users discovering eateries via TikTok and nearly all food brands leveraging videos, it's clear that in the digital age, a picture (or a video) is truly worth a thousand orders.