Marketing Essentials for Restaurants

Description

Most restaurants are losing business long before a guest ever looks at a menu — not because of food or service, but because their online presence isn’t working for them. Outdated listings, weak photos, and inconsistent social media quietly push customers toward competitors. This webinar gives operators a clear, modern roadmap to fix that, led by Drew Thompson, owner of BYK Digital, in partnership with NMRA.

Why this webinar matters

Restaurant marketing has changed faster than most operators can keep up with. What worked even a year ago no longer moves the needle, and the platforms that drive traffic today reward consistency, strategy, and the right mix of content — not guesswork. Most restaurants are stuck doing “a little bit of everything” with no clear plan, which leads to wasted time, scattered efforts, and marketing that doesn’t convert. This session breaks down the current marketing landscape and shows operators exactly where to focus, what actually drives results, and how to build a streamlined approach that supports sales instead of draining resources.

What you’ll learn

This session gives restaurants a clear, practical roadmap for strengthening their digital presence. Participants will:

• Learn how to claim and manage listings on Google, Yelp, and TripAdvisor, update menus and keywords, add high‑impact photos, and respond to reviews in ways that improve visibility.
• Understand how to optimize Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok accounts, including posting frequency, content types (short‑form video, carousels, static images), and how hashtags and social SEO drive reach.
• Review website best practices, SEO fundamentals, and how to evaluate whether your current site is helping or hurting your online presence.
• Learn how to use email and SMS marketing effectively, many of these features are pre-built into your point of sale systems.
• Compare major ad platforms—Google Performance Max, Meta Ads, and Yelp Ads—and understand BYK Digital’s “3% Rule” for determining a realistic marketing budget and where to allocate dollars for the best return.
• Take advantage of BYK Digital's FREE one-page website offer, available to all attendees.

Who should attend

Owners, operators, general managers, and anyone responsible for a restaurant’s, online presence or guest communication. This session is especially valuable for teams without a dedicated marketing role, multi‑unit operators who need consistency across locations, and restaurants that know their digital presence isn’t keeping up with guest expectations.

Why you can’t skip this

Marketing only works when every channel reinforces the same message — and most restaurants aren’t even close. When your photos say one thing, your listings say another, and your social content doesn’t match the experience, your marketing loses power and guests choose the restaurant that looks more put‑together. This session shows you how to align your marketing so it builds momentum instead of confusion. You’ll walk away with a clear plan, the right priorities, and a smarter approach to where your marketing time and dollars actually generate results.