Drive Traffic to Your Restaurant From Instagram

February 21,2019

You have a lot of restaurant equipment that you need to make your location run smoothly. You might think about your point-of-sale system, refrigeration units, cooking equipment, and more.

But what about Instagram?

That’s right, a social media platform can be one of the most important pieces of restaurant equipment you have access to. It can help you drive traffic from the internet into the seats of your restaurant.

Read on to learn more!

 

Show Gorgeous Pictures of Your Food

The first step on any social media platform is to gain positive attention. When you’re a restaurant on Instagram, it’s easy – just post gorgeous food pictures!

Of course, you need a way to link these back to your restaurant. Use hashtags to capture local followers and those who are interested in your particular cuisine.

With the right pictures and hashtags, you’ll create an instantly recognizable brand – pun intended!

 

Link in Bio!

Have you noticed that almost every Instagram post includes the phrase, “Link in Bio?”

That’s because that link is the only clickable link in your entire profile. So think carefully about how to use it. It doesn’t have to go to your homepage. It could link to your menu, a promotion, or even your Google Business page.

Use a trackable link so you can keep tabs on how popular your link on Instagram is, and test different calls to action.

 

Let Your Fans Do the Sharing

One of the things that hasn’t changed over the years when it comes to marketing is how much people trust recommendations – even online. 84% of people trust online reviews just as much as a personal recommendation.

How do you get fans to share? Many times it’s just as simple as asking them to!

People often take pictures of your food anyway – take advantage of it by encouraging them to mention your restaurant, use specific hashtags, and more.

You can even run contests based on Instagram posts. It will get your restaurant attention beyond your own network – you’ll be leveraging your guests’ networks as well.

When you realize you can use not only your followers but your guests’, you’ll see why Instagram is a vital part of your restaurant equipment.

 

Bring in the Customers

You’ve got attention, you’ve got positive recommendations from your guests, and you may even have a link to your current specials.

Those items alone will do a lot to turn Instagram users into restaurant customers. But you can take one more step – you can specifically post invitations to come into your location.

Whether it’s a seasonal special, a happy hour, or a coupon, you can give your followers an extra incentive to come in. Incentives work best if there’s a sense of urgency, so think about how you can create limits. Maybe only the first 100 guests on a Wednesday get a special deal, or the coupon expires in three days.

Turning attention into customers is what makes Instagram one of the most important pieces of restaurant equipment you have!

 

What Other Restaurant Equipment Do You Need?

While Instagram and social media are a vital way to bring in business, there may be other nagging needs in your restaurant. Is your commercial stove on its last legs? Are you concerned that your freezer isn’t holding temperature?

If you have these sorts of concerns, we have great news for your Little Rock restaurant. We have a long history of helping owners like you get the restaurant equipment you need. Contact us to see how we can help you today!

Cooking Equipment Spotlight: Choosing the Right Fryer

Cooking Equipment Spotlight: Choosing the Right Fryer

Choosing the right fryer may seem straightforward. After all, you just need something to hold oil and keep it hot so you can cook some things, right?   Not quite. You have a lot of choices, which helps you choose the cooking equipment that’s perfect for your...

read more
Keep Your Foodservice Equipment Coolers Clean & Functional

Keep Your Foodservice Equipment Coolers Clean & Functional

Whether you run a convenience store or a restaurant, you need safe storage for food that must be refrigerated. Commercial coolers are the foodservice equipment you need – but it’s important to keep them in good shape. Otherwise, your investment won’t give you the...

read more
Keep Pests Out of Your Commercial Kitchen

Keep Pests Out of Your Commercial Kitchen

Having pests in your kitchen is already a nightmare, but if health inspectors find them it gets even worse. Keep your guests safe and your restaurant operating safely. Your commercial kitchen is automatically a target of a variety of bugs and other pests. It has...

read more
The Best Kitchen Equipment for a New Graduate

The Best Kitchen Equipment for a New Graduate

If you’re like many people, you know a young adult who will be setting up their own place for the first time this summer. It’s an exciting time, but very nerve-wracking. It’s amazing how quickly the costs add up as you outfit an apartment – especially in the kitchen!...

read more
Outside the Commercial Kitchen: Food Safety While Catering

Outside the Commercial Kitchen: Food Safety While Catering

Many restaurants and other eating establishments like to provide catering for special events. Catering a huge business, worth over $53 billion per year. Catering allows your restaurant to reach customers who might never set foot in your establishment otherwise. It’s...

read more
3 Times Used Kitchen Equipment is As Good As New

3 Times Used Kitchen Equipment is As Good As New

Are you nervous about buying used kitchen equipment? It’s understandable. After all, restaurants are subject to a lot of regulations, and if something goes wrong you could lose your business. However, there are many times that used kitchen equipment makes perfect...

read more
Kitchen Equipment You Need: Wellness Mats

Kitchen Equipment You Need: Wellness Mats

When it comes to serving customers, you leave no stone unturned. You choose the best kitchen equipment, test your recipes, buy the best ingredients, and hire excellent staff. Unfortunately, there’s something that even the savviest restaurant owner often forgets –...

read more
Is Your Kitchen Equipment Ready for National Hamburger Month?

Is Your Kitchen Equipment Ready for National Hamburger Month?

Restaurants can always use a fun and playful way to bring in new customers. Did you know that May is National Hamburger Month? Why not use that fact as an entertaining way to bring in new customers? You can offer a special promotion on a hamburger, or feature other...

read more
Understanding Restaurant Equipment: A Variety of Fryers

Understanding Restaurant Equipment: A Variety of Fryers

You may think of a fryer as a simple machine with a basket and hot oil. If you do, you don’t quite understand this restaurant equipment. You’re missing out on the enormous range of different fryers available! The truth is there are four very different types of...

read more
How to Increase Sales From Your Cold Case

How to Increase Sales From Your Cold Case

As we move into May, it’s time to start thinking about ramping up your summer sales. One of the key focuses can be the cold case in your store. This piece of foodservice equipment can really boost your bottom line. A cold case gives you an opportunity to display...

read more
5 Keys to Creating the Perfect Restaurant Seating Areas

5 Keys to Creating the Perfect Restaurant Seating Areas

Restaurants are about so much more than just food. From the setting and layout of your restaurant to your choice of colors, it takes a lot more than an appealing menu to keep diners coming back for more. When setting up your restaurant, booths and chairs are important...

read more