Marketing Your Restaurant Correctly During COVID-19: 5 Top Tips

Looking back at the end of 2019, nobody could have predicted the year we were about to have. For many restaurants, 2020 transformed from a year of expansion to a fight for survival. When we look back, it will be the businesses that adapted to the conditions that thrived. With this in mind, here are five essential marketing tips for restaurants during COVID-19.

1. Expand the Menu

While it might sound counter-intuitive, now is the perfect time to expand your offerings and cater to what people need most. Consider options like home cocktail kits, flour and yeast for baking, or other essentials to serve your community better. Additionally, sell merchandise and gift cards. Incentivize gift card purchases with bonuses to encourage sales.

2. Cover the Basics

Ensure your website includes essential information, such as updated opening hours, delivery options, and COVID-19 safety policies. Customers want clarity, and if they can’t find answers, they will move on to another restaurant.

Update your social media bios with delivery and collection information.
Send newsletters to keep your customers informed.

If your restaurant doesn’t yet have a website or social media presence, now is the time to create one. These tools are critical for sharing updates and engaging with customers.

Bonus Tip: Create virtual backgrounds of your restaurant for customers to use on Zoom calls—it’s a fun way to remind them of your business!

3. Use Special Deals and Offers

Encourage customers to return with enticing offers. For instance:

“Welcome Back Wednesday” with 20% off all food.
Family meal deals or special discounts for specific days of the week.

Refreshing your menu alongside these deals keeps things exciting for both new and existing customers.

4. Build a Strong Relationship with Customers

Focus on creating stronger connections with your customers. Be transparent about your safety measures and consider expanding your service by partnering with delivery apps like Uber Eats. Small touches, such as handwritten thank-you notes with every order, make customers feel valued and appreciated.

5. Use Social Media

Social media is a powerful tool for building your restaurant’s brand. Use platforms like Instagram, Facebook, and Snapchat to:

Share updates and changes to your services.
Post enticing photos of your dishes.
Engage with followers by replying to comments and messages.
Host live streams and introduce your team.

Leverage trending hashtags to increase your reach and build a following that loves your brand.

Conclusion

With these five simple tips, your restaurant can regain customers and thrive, not just survive, during and after the pandemic. By adapting to changing conditions and focusing on customer engagement, you can position your restaurant for success.