GITNUXREPORT 2025

Marketing In The Food Service Industry Statistics

Digital marketing drives food service growth through reviews, social media influence.

Jannik Linder

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

First published: April 29, 2025

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Statistic 1

66% of restaurants have seen their brand awareness improve through influencer marketing campaigns

Statistic 2

70% of consumers say they are more likely to visit a restaurant with a strong social media presence

Statistic 3

61% of food brands believe that user-generated content increases trust and credibility

Statistic 4

70% of food service customers say that online reviews influence their dining choices

Statistic 5

65% of diners use mobile phones to browse menus before visiting a restaurant

Statistic 6

55% of consumers prefer to order food via a restaurant’s mobile app

Statistic 7

52% of consumers find new restaurants through social media platforms

Statistic 8

75% of food service operators say that loyalty programs boost repeat customer visits

Statistic 9

85% of consumers check online menus before dining out

Statistic 10

30% of consumers say they would use a QR code to access menus more if there were discounts involved

Statistic 11

48% of food service consumers have used voice search to find restaurants or menus

Statistic 12

65% of dine-in customers have ordered online during their visit

Statistic 13

72% of consumers follow at least one restaurant on social media

Statistic 14

50% of foodservice operators measure the success of their digital marketing campaigns by increased reservations

Statistic 15

65% of consumers are influenced by user-generated content when choosing a food service

Statistic 16

54% of food service customers prefer online ordering over traditional phone orders

Statistic 17

51% of diners look for food photos before choosing where to eat

Statistic 18

55% of consumers expect personalized offers from restaurants they follow online

Statistic 19

40% of consumers use online reviews as a primary factor in their restaurant choice

Statistic 20

67% of diners are more likely to visit a restaurant that offers online ordering

Statistic 21

85% of food service marketers say content marketing helps increase customer retention

Statistic 22

54% of millennials follow food brands or restaurants on social media for exclusive offers

Statistic 23

75% of diners read online menus and reviews before choosing a restaurant

Statistic 24

60% of consumers prefer to see menu items with high-quality food photography online

Statistic 25

63% of diners use social media to discover new restaurants

Statistic 26

46% of foodservice businesses use data analytics to personalize marketing efforts

Statistic 27

68% of consumers say they are more likely to visit a restaurant with an engaging website

Statistic 28

43% of customers share their dining experiences on social media, influencing others’ choices

Statistic 29

55% of consumers have made a restaurant decision based on online comments

Statistic 30

74% of foodservice consumers prefer to see nutrition information presented online before visiting

Statistic 31

45% of restaurant bookings are made through third-party online platforms

Statistic 32

33% of food service businesses have a dedicated chatbot for customer service

Statistic 33

62% of restaurant operators plan to invest more in their website design for better user experience

Statistic 34

60% of food service businesses see improved customer engagement with loyalty apps

Statistic 35

58% of foodservice brands report increased revenue after adopting digital menu boards

Statistic 36

70% of restaurant chains have their own mobile apps to boost customer loyalty

Statistic 37

49% of foodservice establishments provide online reservation options

Statistic 38

80% of restaurants report increased sales after implementing social media marketing strategies

Statistic 39

60% of food service operators invest in email marketing to retain customers

Statistic 40

40% of food service marketing budgets are allocated to digital advertising

Statistic 41

78% of foodservice businesses plan to increase their digital marketing efforts in the next year

Statistic 42

59% of restaurant marketers believe that targeted advertising improves ROI

Statistic 43

44% of restaurants use social media advertising to promote special events

Statistic 44

36% of food service businesses utilize augmented reality (AR) for marketing experiences

Statistic 45

40% of restaurants have seen an increase in revenue after implementing targeted digital advertising campaigns

Statistic 46

39% of foodservice establishments plan to increase investment in influencer marketing in the next year

Statistic 47

50% of restaurants use SMS marketing to reach their customers directly

Statistic 48

53% of foodservice companies plan to expand their digital marketing budget in 2024

Statistic 49

72% of restaurant brands run seasonal digital marketing campaigns to boost sales

Statistic 50

63% of restaurants are investing more in mobile marketing strategies

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Sources

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Key Highlights

70% of food service customers say that online reviews influence their dining choices
65% of diners use mobile phones to browse menus before visiting a restaurant
80% of restaurants report increased sales after implementing social media marketing strategies
60% of food service operators invest in email marketing to retain customers
55% of consumers prefer to order food via a restaurant’s mobile app
40% of food service marketing budgets are allocated to digital advertising
52% of consumers find new restaurants through social media platforms
66% of restaurants have seen their brand awareness improve through influencer marketing campaigns
75% of food service operators say that loyalty programs boost repeat customer visits
85% of consumers check online menus before dining out
45% of restaurant bookings are made through third-party online platforms
78% of foodservice businesses plan to increase their digital marketing efforts in the next year
30% of consumers say they would use a QR code to access menus more if there were discounts involved

In an era where 70% of diners’ choices are influenced by online reviews and nearly all consumers browse menus via mobile devices before dining out, mastering digital marketing has become the secret ingredient for success in the food service industry.

Brand Awareness and Social Media Influence

66% of restaurants have seen their brand awareness improve through influencer marketing campaigns
70% of consumers say they are more likely to visit a restaurant with a strong social media presence
61% of food brands believe that user-generated content increases trust and credibility

Brand Awareness and Social Media Influence Interpretation

With over two-thirds of restaurants boosting brand recognition through influencer campaigns and 70% of customers more inclined to dine at socially savvy eateries, it’s clear that in today’s digital culinary landscape, a strong social media game isn’t just spicy — it’s essential for trust, credibility, and serving up success.

Customer Behavior and Preferences

70% of food service customers say that online reviews influence their dining choices
65% of diners use mobile phones to browse menus before visiting a restaurant
55% of consumers prefer to order food via a restaurant’s mobile app
52% of consumers find new restaurants through social media platforms
75% of food service operators say that loyalty programs boost repeat customer visits
85% of consumers check online menus before dining out
30% of consumers say they would use a QR code to access menus more if there were discounts involved
48% of food service consumers have used voice search to find restaurants or menus
65% of dine-in customers have ordered online during their visit
72% of consumers follow at least one restaurant on social media
50% of foodservice operators measure the success of their digital marketing campaigns by increased reservations
65% of consumers are influenced by user-generated content when choosing a food service
54% of food service customers prefer online ordering over traditional phone orders
51% of diners look for food photos before choosing where to eat
55% of consumers expect personalized offers from restaurants they follow online
40% of consumers use online reviews as a primary factor in their restaurant choice
67% of diners are more likely to visit a restaurant that offers online ordering
85% of food service marketers say content marketing helps increase customer retention
54% of millennials follow food brands or restaurants on social media for exclusive offers
75% of diners read online menus and reviews before choosing a restaurant
60% of consumers prefer to see menu items with high-quality food photography online
63% of diners use social media to discover new restaurants
46% of foodservice businesses use data analytics to personalize marketing efforts
68% of consumers say they are more likely to visit a restaurant with an engaging website
43% of customers share their dining experiences on social media, influencing others’ choices
55% of consumers have made a restaurant decision based on online comments
74% of foodservice consumers prefer to see nutrition information presented online before visiting

Customer Behavior and Preferences Interpretation

In the digital age of food service, where 70% of customers rely on reviews and 85% scrutinize menus online, it's clear that without a compelling online presence—from high-quality photos to loyalty programs—restaurants risk being as invisible as a whisper in a crowded dining hall.

Digital Engagement and Online Ordering

45% of restaurant bookings are made through third-party online platforms
33% of food service businesses have a dedicated chatbot for customer service
62% of restaurant operators plan to invest more in their website design for better user experience
60% of food service businesses see improved customer engagement with loyalty apps
58% of foodservice brands report increased revenue after adopting digital menu boards
70% of restaurant chains have their own mobile apps to boost customer loyalty
49% of foodservice establishments provide online reservation options

Digital Engagement and Online Ordering Interpretation

With nearly half of restaurant bookings now orchestrated through third-party platforms and a majority deploying digital tools like loyalty apps, chatbots, and custom mobile apps, it's clear that in the food service industry, embracing digital innovation isn't just a trend—it's the main course for future success.

Marketing Strategies and Budget Allocation

80% of restaurants report increased sales after implementing social media marketing strategies
60% of food service operators invest in email marketing to retain customers
40% of food service marketing budgets are allocated to digital advertising
78% of foodservice businesses plan to increase their digital marketing efforts in the next year
59% of restaurant marketers believe that targeted advertising improves ROI
44% of restaurants use social media advertising to promote special events
36% of food service businesses utilize augmented reality (AR) for marketing experiences
40% of restaurants have seen an increase in revenue after implementing targeted digital advertising campaigns
39% of foodservice establishments plan to increase investment in influencer marketing in the next year
50% of restaurants use SMS marketing to reach their customers directly
53% of foodservice companies plan to expand their digital marketing budget in 2024
72% of restaurant brands run seasonal digital marketing campaigns to boost sales
63% of restaurants are investing more in mobile marketing strategies

Marketing Strategies and Budget Allocation Interpretation

With a majority of food service businesses embracing digital tools—from social media and email to AR and SMS—they're cooking up a recipe for increased sales and customer engagement, proving that in today's market, going digital isn't just a trend, but the main course for success.