In the wild and wonderful world of restaurants, staying ahead means always having something fresh on the menu—literally and figuratively. With our input, the folks over at RestaurantNews.com put together the “Top Five Restaurant Marketing Trends in 2025”. Here’s the scoop:
- Make It Personal: Forget one-size-fits-all. Use data to whip up marketing campaigns as tailored as your grandma’s secret recipes.
- AI Is the New Sous Chef: Robots aren’t just flipping burgers—they’re powering smarter operations, sharper service, and marketing that’s as precise as your chef’s knife skills.
- Social Media Goes Big (And Quick): Platforms like TikTok and Instagram are your stage. Think short, snappy, scroll-stopping content that has diners saying, “I need to eat there NOW.”
- Loyalty 2.0: Basic punch cards are out. Think experiences, exclusivity, and perks that have customers feeling like VIPs.
- All Channels, All the Time: From your online ordering app to your dining room ambiance, customers expect a seamless experience.
Hungry for more? You can read the full article here.
Our Take on What Else You’ll Need to Win in 2025
Here are more of our thoughts about what will be spicing up the restaurant marketing world next year:
1. Green Is the New Black
Diners want more than great food—they want to feel good about where it comes from. From farm-to-table sourcing to compostable takeout containers, show off your eco-smarts. Bonus points for telling your sustainability story loud and proud. One of our favorite examples of a brand that has leaned into sustainability out of the gate with incredible success is Chipotle.
2. Healthier Plates, Happier Customers
Think plant-based options that even carnivores will drool over, allergy-friendly dishes that save the day, and menus with enough nutrition deets to rival a fitness tracker. Health-conscious diners are on the rise, and you’ll want them at your table. We were recently introduced to Shannon Allen, founder of Grown. Her brand is a standout example of a restaurant brand excelling in health-conscious offerings. Their mission is to make nutritious, organic food both convenient and affordable, embodying the philosophy that food should be “delicious, organic and inspiring.”
3. Community Is Key
Want loyal customers? Show them you care about more than their wallet. Host events, sponsor local initiatives, or create partnerships that support your community. You’ll build goodwill and maybe even get some love back in the form of glowing reviews and social buzz. Cheba Hut, a cannabis-themed sandwich shop (stay chill, there’s no actual THC in their menu items), exemplifies exceptional community engagement through various initiatives that foster local connections and create inclusive environments. From hosting community-centric events to supporting local breweries, they are successfully integrating the brand into local communities.
4. Cleanliness: It’s Still a Big Deal
If the pandemic taught us anything, it’s that people are watching. A sparkling clean space and visible food safety practices aren’t just nice-to-haves—they’re dealbreakers. One of our clients is a Chick-fil-A franchisee. Their brand has been recognized for its high standards of cleanliness. In a 2021 survey by Nation’s Restaurant News and Datassential, consumers ranked Chick-fil-A among the top restaurant brands for cleanliness, an attribute that has become increasingly important to diners.
5. Smarter Moves with Data
Whether it’s using customer data to craft a killer loyalty program or spotting trends to fine-tune your menu, data-driven decisions are the secret sauce to staying ahead. Our client, Sally’s Apizza, a renowned New Haven pizzeria established in 1938, has effectively utilized data-driven strategies to guide its expansion and maintain product consistency across new locations.
Whether you’re a local gem or a nationwide chain, these strategies can help you cook up a marketing plan that’s as unforgettable as your signature dish.
Need a hand crafting a killer marketing strategy? That’s where we come in. At Response, we live for helping brands like yours stand out. Drop us a line—we’d love to chat and see how we can help your restaurant shine.