6 Restaurant Marketing Ideas That Actually Work in 2025

Let’s be honest, running a restaurant has never been more competitive. Between rising costs, staff shortages, and ever-evolving customer expectations, standing out takes more than great food.

It takes smart, creative marketing that actually drives footfall — not just likes. We’ve pulled together six real-world marketing ideas (backed by examples) that are helping restaurants grow in 2025. No fluff, just strategies that are backed up by real world examples.

1. Make Your Social Content Worth Sharing (Not Just Scrolling)

‍Every restaurant has an Instagram (or should do). But the ones that get traction are leaning into people-first, story-led content, not just food shots. FILLI UK’s Marylebone store went viral with a Valentine’s Day reel that showed the comical side of hospitality. It was funny, human, and totally on-brand. It racked up 24 million views, drove thousands of new followers, and built major hype ahead of their store launches in Manchester. Takeaway: Show personality, tell stories and be real. It doesn’t have to be polished, it just has to be memorable.

2. Think Hyper-Local with Your Ads

We’re seeing a shift in how restaurants use paid ads. The best campaigns aren’t national, they’re hyper-local and moment based.

London-based Italian restaurant, Osteria Mbare, created a “Bottomless Carbs & Bubbles” lunch menu, then ran paid ads targeting people working within a 1-mile radius. Add a few influencers into the mix, and suddenly Wednesday lunches are fully-booked. They saw over 600 extra bookings a month, mostly from people who lived or worked nearby.

Takeaway: Use paid ads to solve specific problems (like empty weekday slots), and target based on behaviour and location, not just demographics.

3. Put Your Team in the Spotlight

The hospitality brands growing fastest in 2025 are the ones putting their people front and centre. A team spotlight series or comedy sketches can do more for customer loyalty than a picture of a burger ever will. It shows culture, consistency, and character —which builds emotional connection.

Plus, the content is easy to produce. A quick iPhone behind-the-scenes,

some playful editing, and you’re good to go.

4. Build (and Use) Your Customer Database

You don’t need a massive following to build a loyal customer base — you just need a system to keep them in the loop.

That could mean:

• Collecting emails in exchange for a free drink on sign-up

• Sending short, punchy newsletters with offers and events

• Automating birthday emails or post-visit feedback surveys

Restaurants doing this well are seeing repeat bookings spike, especially when combining email with retargeted ads. It’s not flashy, but it works.

5. Turn Great Operations into Great Marketing

You can’t market your way out of bad service — and these days, customers notice everything.

Restaurants that are thriving are investing in operational consistency. Teams that use modern tools that make their daily tasks easier and more fun have greater retention of staff which translates to a better customer experience. Top operators are using digital tools like Aquaint to ditch the paper checklists and keep everyone aligned on food safety, site readiness, and opening/closing routines. It’s improved not only their reviews, but also team morale — because when things run smoothly, the energy is better.

Takeaway: Good operations =great customer experience = better word-of mouth.

6. Optimise for "Near Me" Searches

Ever Googled “brunch near me” or “best Mexican in Shoreditch”? So does everyone else.

Restaurants who are investing in SEO (even just a little) are getting ahead. That means:

• Making sure your Google Business Profile is complete and active

• Adding keywords like “gluten-free pizza in Brighton” to your site

• Publishing FAQs or blog posts (yes, they still work)

Agencies like Aperture Comms have helped restaurants land on Page 1 with smart content strategies that don’t feel like spam — just helpful info people are genuinely searching for.

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Final Thought: Start With One Thing

If you’re reading this and thinking “We don’t have time for all this” — that’s okay.

Start with one change. Spotlight your staff. Test a local ad. Clean up your Google profile. Or just make sure your daily ops are locked in tight.

Because the best restaurant marketing in 2025 is real, relevant, and repeatable. The goal isn’t to do it all — it’s to do the things that matter, consistently.

Want to see what smart restaurant marketing looks like in action? Check out the team at Aperture Comms — they’ve helped F&B brands hit millions of views, thousands of bookings, and steady growth.

Want to level up your ops as you grow?

Here’s how Aquaint can help hospitality venues stay compliant and consistent —without the paperwork.