13 Creative Yet Easy Facebook Post Ideas For Restaurants

Luke Januschka

,

June 30, 2024
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If Zuckerberg had a dollar for every time a restaurant owner asked, “What should I post on Facebook?”, he’d be… well, still a billionaire, but you get the point.

We know that coming up with fresh and engaging content ideas can feel like trying to capture lightning in a bottle.

But with over 2.9 billion active users, Facebook offers an unparalleled platform for restaurants to engage with customers, promote special offers, and showcase their unique personalities. 

This is why we’ve done the heavy lifting for you and scoured the feeds of top restaurant chains and eateries popular on Facebook to bring you a smorgasbord of easy, effective post ideas.

In this blog post, you’ll learn:

  • Why you need creative Facebook post ideas for your restaurant
  • 13 easy and creative Facebook post ideas for restaurants 
  • Actionable strategies on how you can implement each idea into your restaurant’s marketing strategy.


And the best part? 

You don’t need a Michelin star or a fancy marketing degree to make these strategies work for your restaurant.

So, get ready to explore a list of creative and effective Facebook post ideas for restaurants that can help drive more customers through the doors.

Why Do You Need Creative Facebook Posts For Restaurants? 

It’s easy for a restaurant’s Facebook posts to get lost in the shuffle of the social media frenzy.

But creative Facebook posts for restaurants can help capture the attention of users scrolling through their feeds like a neon sign in a power outage. 

Here’s how creative Facebook posts can help you out:

  • Capture Attention:  Facebook posts stand out in a crowded feed, drawing users’ attention to your restaurant.
  • Showcase Personality:  It can highlight your restaurant’s unique character, helping it stand out from competitors.
  • Increase Engagement:  Engaging posts encourage likes, comments, and shares, boosting your online presence.
  • Build Brand Identity:  Partner with Restaurant Growth to start building a brand identity that can boost bottom lines and 3X order value within just 3 months.
  • Drive Traffic:  Interesting posts can lead to increased footfall and online orders, boosting your revenue.
  • Showcase Offerings:  They provide a platform to highlight menu items, promotions, and events in a visually appealing way.
  • Foster Loyalty:  Facebook posts help build a loyal online community, encouraging repeat business.

13 Top Facebook Posts/Marketing Ideas For Restaurants 

From mouth-watering food photos to behind-the-scenes sneak peeks, we’ll show how the pros keep the content calendar full and engagement rates soaring in this section.

1. Showcase Signature Offers and Menu Items

TGI Friday's example of showcasing signature offers

TGI Fridays Monday Mojito is a good example of how creative Facebook posts for restaurants aren’t just about selling but also about creating an experience. 

This experience starts online and ends in your restaurant.

An irresistible photo of your signature dish or drink can turn a mundane scroll through Facebook into a craving.

TGI Fridays nailed it by pairing a visually appealing image with a catchy, day-specific offer, making it a no-brainer for anyone looking for a Monday pick-me-up.

Here are some pointers you need to keep in mind while showcasing your signature items:

📌 Visual appeal is king:  Bright, appetizing images can make your post a visual feast that’s hard to scroll past.

📌 Timing is everything:  For instance, “Monday Mojito Madness” in TGI Friday’s post sounds much more enticing than just “Mojito Madness.” 

📌 Engage and entice:  Ask your followers to tag a friend they’d love to share your products with.

📌 Highlight what makes you special:  Make sure the food items on your menu are at the front and center of your posts.

2. Offer Weekly/Holiday Specials and Limited-Time Deals

Buffalo Wild Wings offering limited-time and weekly deals

Incorporating restaurant Facebook post ideas into your marketing strategy is also about an experience that customers can’t resist sharing.

Buffalo Wild Wings taps into the simple yet effective marketing psychology of limited-time offers. 

It’s a win-win for all: customers get their wing fix at a steal, and the restaurant sees a spike in mid-week sales.

Here are some actionable tips that can help you out in this aspect:

📌 Create anticipation:  Build excitement around your specials with countdowns on your social media posts for restaurants.

📌 Engage and ask:  Use posts to ask followers about their favorite flavors or deals they’d like to see, making them feel part of the process.

📌 Track and adapt:  Monitor which specials draw the biggest crowds and adjust your offers based on customer preferences.

📌 Partner with experts:  Marketers like Restaurant Growth can help you understand what makes your patrons tick and act with urgency.

3. Share Stories 

Side Street Pour House and Steak customer story

People adore stories that feel real, relatable, or just outright amusing. When a restaurant shares these moments, it doesn’t just sell a meal; it sells an experience.

Take, for instance, the viral sensation from Side Street Pour House and Steak. 

This quirky tale captured attention and sparked conversations and brought the community closer, showcasing the power of social media posts for restaurants.

Some ways you can implement this strategy include:

📌 Engage Your Audience:  Use real-life anecdotes to create posts that resonate emotionally.

📌 Encourage Interaction:  Ask followers to share their own funny or unexpected experiences.

📌 Create Themed Story Campaigns:  Develop themed story campaigns that align with seasonal events, holidays, or local happenings.

4. Behind The Scenes

BTS of kitchen staff by Laurel Budapest

Laurel Budapest, a popular restaurant, is acing the BTS game on Facebook.

The restaurant often shares behind-the-scene glimpses on their Facebook page, showing busy hands preparing dishes, and who is doing what in the chef’s corner. 

Now, who doesn’t love a good sneak peek, anyway?

Here’s how you can share the BTS of your restaurant business:

📌 Show the hustle: Share photos or videos of your team during peak hours

📌 Celebrate Milestones: Did your team handle a rush like pros? Celebrate such milestones and share them with your customers.

📌 Use Humor: Share light-hearted moments to add a touch of humor to your posts.

The experts at Restaurant Growth bring years of experience in making your business profitable. Ready to join the winning team?

5. Customer Favorites

Featuring customer favorites for social media posts for restaurants

The Broken Yolk Cafe, a beloved brunch spot, has mastered the art of highlighting customer favorites in its Facebook posts. 

In this video, they invite viewers to join influencers Madeline and Tyluhwyluh for a brunch date, where they try out their favorite items and limited-time specials. 

Customer favorites are the dishes that keep your patrons coming back for more, the ones they rave about to their friends, and the ones that make your restaurant the place to be. 

So, why not flaunt them on your Facebook page?

Here are the key takeaways from the Facebook post idea:

📌 Identify Your Star Dishes:  Figure out which dishes your customers can’t get enough of and showcase them in your social media posts for restaurants.

📌 Collaborate with Influencers:  Reach out to local influencers or food bloggers and invite them to try your customer favorites. Share their experiences on your Facebook page.

📌 Create UGC Opportunities:  Encourage customers to share their own photos and experiences with your star dishes. You can even create a branded hashtag for them to use.

6. Interactive Poll

Restaurants using interactive polls as Facebook post ideas

When it comes to Facebook post ideas for restaurants, interactive polls can be a game-changer.

Take Califia Farms, for instance. They asked their followers about their preferred creamer choices, making them choose from different options. 

This simple ‘This or That’ question post not only engaged customers but also helped them express their preferences.

At Restaurant Growth, we have dedicated teams of experts to help you learn how to build an engaging environment where potential diners are interested in sharing their opinions with the restaurant owners. 

But is there any way you can make interactive polls more fun on your Facebook page? Let us check out a few tips that may help you out:

📌 Keep it simple: Keep the questions straightforward and the options limited to make it easy for your followers to participate.

📌 Make it relevant: Ensure your polls are related to your restaurant. This will keep your audience engaged and provide valuable insights.

📌 Use the results: Once the poll is over, share the results with your audience and, if possible, use them to make changes in your restaurant.

7. Live Q&A With Chefs

Live Q&A With John Forcier


Live Q&A with chefs is like
having a backstage pass to a rock concert, but for food lovers – for instance, The Chef Co’s announcement of an interactive session with their chef. 

This Facebook post not only gives customers a chance to interact with the chef in real time but also creates a sense of transparency and authenticity.

Before you rush to implement this Facebook ad strategy, here’s what to keep in mind:

📌 Promote the event: Use creative Facebook posts for restaurants to build anticipation and encourage your followers to prepare their questions. 

📌 Engage actively: Encourage your chef to interact with the audience by answering their questions, sharing stories, and even cracking a few jokes.

📌 Follow up: After the live session, share a summary or highlights on your Facebook page as recaps.

8. Promote Value and Abundance

Unlimited meal offer by TGI Friday’s

Who doesn’t love a good deal, right? Especially when it comes to dining out. TGI Friday’s Endless Friday’s “Go Endless with T.G.I. Friday’s” campaign is a prime example of how focusing on value and abundance can appeal to customers.

In the video, TGI Friday’s promotes their Endless Apps, where customers can enjoy unlimited appetizers for a fixed price. 

This post works because it highlights the value for money, a key factor in dining decisions for many customers. 

Further, the visuals of the appetizers are mouth-watering, making the offer even more tempting. Some key takeaways you must keep in mind while promoting value through Facebook marketing ideas for restaurants are:

📌 Focus on Value: This could be a discount, a bundle deal, or unlimited servings like in TGI Friday’s case.

📌 Use Appetizing Content: Your posts should make the customers want to order your food items right through the screen.

📌 Keep it Simple: Don’t complicate your offer with too many conditions.

9. Dish Creation and Drink Preparation Videos

Lady Duchess Cocktail preparation video by J Alexander’s

Facebook post ideas for restaurants that feature dish creation and drink preparation videos are like striking gold in the social media world. 

A stellar example is J Alexander’s cocktail recipe video teasers. These visually appealing videos are more than just a feast for the eyes – they’re a strategic move to pique curiosity and entice viewers to visit your restaurant for a taste of the real deal. 

Remember – videos are a powerful tool for engagement, with statistics showing that they receive 59% more engagement than other post types on Facebook.

Unsure how to get started? These tips might help:

📌 Keep it short and sweet: Aim for videos that are 1-2 minutes long to keep viewers engaged without overwhelming them.

📌 Use teaser content: Use teaser content to pique curiosity and encourage viewers to visit your restaurant for the full experience.

10. Staff Member Introduction Video

Introduction video of a Shift Manager at Noodles & Company

Staff member introduction videos are a fantastic way to introduce your team and create a personal connection with your audience.

Take Noodles & Company, for example. In this Facebook video, they introduce their staff members and share what they love about working there. 

This simple yet effective approach allows customers to see the faces behind their favorite dishes and understand the workplace culture.

Here’s how you can nail staff introduction Facebook posts for your own restaurant marketing strategy:

📌 Introduce your team: Create a short video introducing your staff members, sharing their roles, and what they love about working at your restaurant.

📌 Share experiences: Encourage your team to share their personal stories and experiences to create a deeper connection with your audience.

📌 Tag to increase engagement: Post the video on your Facebook page and other social media platforms, tagging your staff members to increase reach and engagement.

11. Support A Cause

Wendy's Dave Thomas Foundation For Adoption Campaign
Take a look at Wendy’s Dave Thomas Foundation For Adoption Campaign to raise awareness and support for a good cause. 

Since Dave – the founder of Wendy’s – was adopted when he was just 6 weeks old, this campaign didn’t seem performative and gathered a lot of appreciation.

By highlighting their partnership with the foundation, this restaurant Facebook post idea by Wendy’s not only demonstrated their commitment to community support services but also gave their customers an extra reason to choose their restaurant over others by “grabbing a cup to support adoption”.

Now, let’s talk about how you can apply this strategy to your own social media posts for restaurants:

📌 Choose a cause that resonates: Whether it’s supporting local farmers, promoting sustainable practices, or contributing to a charity, make sure the cause aligns with your restaurant’s values and mission.

📌 Encourage participation: Invite your followers to join your cause. This could be through donations, sharing your posts, or participating in events.

12. Jumping On The #viral Train

Solar Eclipse meme post by Denny’s

Ever wondered how some restaurant Facebook posts go viral while others sink without a trace? The secret lies in capitalizing on current trends and happenings to elevate your content. 

Denny’s cleverly leveraged the hype around the 2024 solar eclipse to create a buzzworthy Facebook post. 

They transformed the humble pancake into a celestial spectacle, complete with a perfectly placed cherry ‘moon’. 

You can also jump on viral trends by:

📌 Stay current: Keep an eye on upcoming events, holidays, or trending topics. They can serve as inspiration for your creative Facebook posts for restaurants.

📌 Get creative: The most viral social media posts for restaurants often involve an unexpected twist or a clever pun.

13. Showcase Restaurant Safety and Hygiene

Buffalo Wild Wings displaying safety and hygiene

No matter how delicious your food items are – a single hair strand can bring your restaurant’s ratings from a solid 5/5 to a miserable 1/5.

This is why Facebook posts like the one by Buffalo Wild Wings manage to do well on social media. 

They can earn the trust of potential diners by displaying their commitment to keeping the footprints of rats or any other form of contamination away from food. 

Here are some actionable tips to create effective Facebook post ideas for restaurants that highlight your establishment’s cleanliness and adherence to safety protocols:

📌 Share a video tour of your kitchen: You can share a video to demonstrate your commitment to cleanliness.

📌 Post about your safety protocols: Create creative Facebook posts for restaurants that outline the safety measures you have in place, such as regular sanitization, staff training, and adherence to local health guidelines.

📌 Highlight your food handling practices: Share images or videos that demonstrate proper food handling techniques, emphasizing the importance of food safety in your restaurant.

Can Restaurant Facebook Posts Lift Top & Bottom Lines?

If you’re not using Facebook to market your restaurant, you’re leaving money on the table. And if you are using it, but not seeing results, it’s time to step up your game. 

Facebook post ideas for restaurants aren’t just about posting pictures of your food (although that’s important too). It’s about telling a story, engaging with your audience, and ultimately driving more customers through your doors. It’s a critical part of brand marketing that can ultimately drive sales and profit.

According to a study, 76% of users say they found a new product on Facebook. So, when you post about your restaurant, you’re not just reaching your existing customers – you’re reaching potential new ones too.

At Restaurant Growth, we specialize in helping restaurants grow their bottom line through creative marketing strategies. 

So, whether you’re just starting out or looking to take your business to the next level through Facebook marketing ideas for restaurants, we’re here to help.

To learn how we can drive results and 2x order value for your restaurant within 3 months, book a strategy call with us today!

FAQs

1. How do I promote my restaurant on Facebook?

Promoting your restaurant on Facebook is all about creating engaging content that showcases your unique offerings. 

Facebook post ideas for restaurants can range from mouthwatering food photos to behind-the-scenes kitchen videos. Don’t forget to utilize Facebook ads for targeted promotion, and remember, consistency is key!

2. How do I make my restaurant stand out on social media?

To make your restaurant stand out on social media, focus on creating creative Facebook posts for restaurants. Highlight your signature dishes, share customer testimonials, and showcase your team. 

Engage with your audience by responding to comments and messages promptly. 

3. How do you make a restaurant post?

Creating a restaurant post involves combining enticing visuals with compelling captions. Use high-quality images or videos, and write captions that tell a story, ask a question, or offer valuable information.

Don’t forget to include relevant hashtags and a call-to-action when appropriate.

4. How often should I post on Facebook to keep my restaurant’s page active and engaging?

Posting frequency on Facebook depends on your audience and content availability. 

A general rule of thumb is to post at least once a day to keep your page active. However, quality should always trump quantity. It’s better to post less frequently with high-quality content than to post often with mediocre content.

5. What types of content perform well on Facebook for restaurants?

Social media posts for restaurants that perform well on Facebook often include visually appealing food photos, special promotions, events, and customer reviews. 

Behind-the-scenes content, such as chef interviews or kitchen tours, can also resonate with your audience. Remember, the goal is to create engaging Facebook marketing ideas for restaurants that foster a connection with your audience.

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Luke Januschka
Luke Januschka is a pivotal partner at Restaurant Growth, where he spearheads strategies that have generated over 30 million dollars in tracked sales for our valued restaurant clients.
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