GITNUXREPORT 2025

Marketing In The Restaurant Industry Statistics

Effective social media marketing boosts restaurant reservations and local traffic significantly.

Jannik Linder

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

First published: April 29, 2025

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Statistic 1

70% of restaurant customers rely on social media posts to choose where to dine

Statistic 2

55% of diners are more likely to visit a restaurant with an active social media presence

Statistic 3

54% of consumers discover new restaurants through social media platforms

Statistic 4

48% of restaurant customers prefer to order via apps or online platforms rather than calling

Statistic 5

78% of restaurant consumers watch food videos on social media before dining out

Statistic 6

Personalization in restaurant marketing increases customer retention rates by 20%

Statistic 7

33% of restaurant reservations are made via online platforms

Statistic 8

72% of diners say they only consider restaurants with a strong digital presence

Statistic 9

57% of restaurant customers use mobile devices to view menus

Statistic 10

68% of restaurant operators believe that online ordering platforms improve customer experience significantly

Statistic 11

58% of diners say that they are influenced by online reviews more than menu images

Statistic 12

22% of restaurant reservations are made via voice assistants

Statistic 13

44% of restaurant loyalty members prefer earning points through digital apps over physical cards

Statistic 14

70% of consumers prefer to see high-quality images and videos of food on restaurant websites

Statistic 15

54% of restaurant customers use social media to ask for recommendations or feedback

Statistic 16

57% of restaurant customers are more likely to visit a location offering online ordering

Statistic 17

62% of diners expect restaurants to have a strong presence on at least one social media platform

Statistic 18

29% of restaurant revenue is generated through online channels including delivery and reservations

Statistic 19

67% of consumers are more likely to choose a restaurant with positive online reviews

Statistic 20

59% of restaurant customers look for deals and discounts on social media before visiting

Statistic 21

49% of diners prefer to see online menus with high-quality images

Statistic 22

55% of restaurants believe that social proof (reviews, testimonials) significantly influences customer decisions

Statistic 23

69% of consumers follow at least one restaurant on social media for updates and specials

Statistic 24

Email marketing campaigns for restaurants have an average open rate of 25-30%

Statistic 25

60% of restaurant owners believe that digital marketing has directly increased their revenue

Statistic 26

45% of restaurant brands allocate more than 10% of their marketing budget to social media advertising

Statistic 27

Restaurants utilizing geo-targeted ads see a 40% increase in local traffic

Statistic 28

50% of restaurant marketing budgets are allocated to digital channels

Statistic 29

65% of restaurants increased their social media ad spending in 2023 compared to previous years

Statistic 30

40% of restaurants have adopted AI-driven chatbots for customer ordering and inquiries

Statistic 31

63% of restaurant owners use digital marketing analytics to inform their strategy

Statistic 32

Restaurants that maintain active online reviews see 30% higher revenue than those with fewer reviews

Statistic 33

45% of new restaurant customers find the business through local search results

Statistic 34

81% of restaurant owners plan to increase their digital marketing investment in the next year

Statistic 35

49% of restaurant marketing campaigns include video content

Statistic 36

43% of restaurant business growth in 2023 is attributed to digital marketing efforts

Statistic 37

35% of restaurants use loyalty programs that are integrated with social media platforms

Statistic 38

72% of restaurant promotions that target mobile users are successful in increasing conversions

Statistic 39

40% of restaurants employ SMS marketing campaigns to engage customers

Statistic 40

83% of restaurant owners believe that social media advertising provides a good return on investment

Statistic 41

70% of restaurants see increased table reservations after launching a targeted digital campaign

Statistic 42

31% of restaurateurs plan to expand their digital marketing efforts in the next year

Statistic 43

65% of restaurant owners consider online reviews as the most critical feedback for their business

Statistic 44

36% of consumers are influenced by influencer marketing when choosing a restaurant

Statistic 45

76% of restaurant marketers believe influencer collaborations help increase brand awareness

Statistic 46

Loyalty programs integrated with mobile apps increase customer visit frequency by 25%

Statistic 47

80% of restaurant marketers use Instagram to promote their offerings

Statistic 48

User-generated content increases engagement by 28% in restaurant marketing campaigns

Statistic 49

82% of restaurant marketers believe that visual content is crucial for engagement

Statistic 50

35% of restaurant social media content focuses on promotional offers and discounts

Statistic 51

47% of restaurants in the U.S. have incorporated TikTok marketing strategies

Statistic 52

75% of restaurants see an increase in foot traffic after launching targeted social media ads

Statistic 53

52% of consumers follow their favorite restaurants on social media for updates and offers

Statistic 54

38% of restaurants have collaborated with local influencers to boost visibility

Statistic 55

40% of restaurant marketing campaigns include some element of storytelling to connect with customers

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Sources

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Key Highlights

70% of restaurant customers rely on social media posts to choose where to dine
65% of restaurant owners consider online reviews as the most critical feedback for their business
80% of restaurant marketers use Instagram to promote their offerings
55% of diners are more likely to visit a restaurant with an active social media presence
54% of consumers discover new restaurants through social media platforms
Email marketing campaigns for restaurants have an average open rate of 25-30%
48% of restaurant customers prefer to order via apps or online platforms rather than calling
60% of restaurant owners believe that digital marketing has directly increased their revenue
45% of restaurant brands allocate more than 10% of their marketing budget to social media advertising
User-generated content increases engagement by 28% in restaurant marketing campaigns
78% of restaurant consumers watch food videos on social media before dining out
Personalization in restaurant marketing increases customer retention rates by 20%
33% of restaurant reservations are made via online platforms

In an industry where a staggering 70% of diners rely on social media posts to choose where to eat, mastering digital marketing strategies has become the key ingredient for restaurant success.

Consumer Behavior and Preferences

70% of restaurant customers rely on social media posts to choose where to dine
55% of diners are more likely to visit a restaurant with an active social media presence
54% of consumers discover new restaurants through social media platforms
48% of restaurant customers prefer to order via apps or online platforms rather than calling
78% of restaurant consumers watch food videos on social media before dining out
Personalization in restaurant marketing increases customer retention rates by 20%
33% of restaurant reservations are made via online platforms
72% of diners say they only consider restaurants with a strong digital presence
57% of restaurant customers use mobile devices to view menus
68% of restaurant operators believe that online ordering platforms improve customer experience significantly
58% of diners say that they are influenced by online reviews more than menu images
22% of restaurant reservations are made via voice assistants
44% of restaurant loyalty members prefer earning points through digital apps over physical cards
70% of consumers prefer to see high-quality images and videos of food on restaurant websites
54% of restaurant customers use social media to ask for recommendations or feedback
57% of restaurant customers are more likely to visit a location offering online ordering
62% of diners expect restaurants to have a strong presence on at least one social media platform
29% of restaurant revenue is generated through online channels including delivery and reservations
67% of consumers are more likely to choose a restaurant with positive online reviews
59% of restaurant customers look for deals and discounts on social media before visiting
49% of diners prefer to see online menus with high-quality images
55% of restaurants believe that social proof (reviews, testimonials) significantly influences customer decisions
69% of consumers follow at least one restaurant on social media for updates and specials

Consumer Behavior and Preferences Interpretation

In an era where 70% of restaurant patrons scout social media before dining, nearly 70% prioritize eateries with a strong digital footprint, emphasizing that a plate of good food now must be complemented by a well-crafted online presence to turn digital browsers into loyal diners.

Digital Marketing Strategies and Tools

Email marketing campaigns for restaurants have an average open rate of 25-30%
60% of restaurant owners believe that digital marketing has directly increased their revenue
45% of restaurant brands allocate more than 10% of their marketing budget to social media advertising
Restaurants utilizing geo-targeted ads see a 40% increase in local traffic
50% of restaurant marketing budgets are allocated to digital channels
65% of restaurants increased their social media ad spending in 2023 compared to previous years
40% of restaurants have adopted AI-driven chatbots for customer ordering and inquiries
63% of restaurant owners use digital marketing analytics to inform their strategy
Restaurants that maintain active online reviews see 30% higher revenue than those with fewer reviews
45% of new restaurant customers find the business through local search results
81% of restaurant owners plan to increase their digital marketing investment in the next year
49% of restaurant marketing campaigns include video content
43% of restaurant business growth in 2023 is attributed to digital marketing efforts
35% of restaurants use loyalty programs that are integrated with social media platforms
72% of restaurant promotions that target mobile users are successful in increasing conversions
40% of restaurants employ SMS marketing campaigns to engage customers
83% of restaurant owners believe that social media advertising provides a good return on investment
70% of restaurants see increased table reservations after launching a targeted digital campaign
31% of restaurateurs plan to expand their digital marketing efforts in the next year

Digital Marketing Strategies and Tools Interpretation

In an industry where 65% of restaurants increased their social media spend in 2023 and over 80% believe digital marketing yields a strong ROI, it’s clear that in the competitive culinary world, ignoring the digital plate is no longer an option—unless, of course, you’re content with empty tables and stale reviews.

Influencer and Review Impact

65% of restaurant owners consider online reviews as the most critical feedback for their business
36% of consumers are influenced by influencer marketing when choosing a restaurant
76% of restaurant marketers believe influencer collaborations help increase brand awareness

Influencer and Review Impact Interpretation

With the majority of restaurant owners valuing online reviews as critical feedback and over a third of consumers swayed by influencer marketing—further amplified by three-quarters of marketers recognizing influencer collaborations as a boost to brand awareness—it’s clear that in today’s digital era, reputation and online influence are the main ingredients for restaurant success.

Loyalty Programs and Promotions

Loyalty programs integrated with mobile apps increase customer visit frequency by 25%

Loyalty Programs and Promotions Interpretation

Integrating loyalty programs with mobile apps is like turning diners into repeat customers on autopilot, boosting visit frequency by a quarter and proving that convenience and recognition are the ultimate menu items.

Social Media Engagement and Content

80% of restaurant marketers use Instagram to promote their offerings
User-generated content increases engagement by 28% in restaurant marketing campaigns
82% of restaurant marketers believe that visual content is crucial for engagement
35% of restaurant social media content focuses on promotional offers and discounts
47% of restaurants in the U.S. have incorporated TikTok marketing strategies
75% of restaurants see an increase in foot traffic after launching targeted social media ads
52% of consumers follow their favorite restaurants on social media for updates and offers
38% of restaurants have collaborated with local influencers to boost visibility
40% of restaurant marketing campaigns include some element of storytelling to connect with customers

Social Media Engagement and Content Interpretation

In an industry where a picture is worth a thousand bites, the data reveals that 80% of restaurant marketers are pressing "share" on Instagram, while nearly half turn to local influencers and storytelling to serve up engagement and foot traffic, proving that in dining marketing, visual appetite and authentic narratives are truly the main courses.