A Restauranteur’s Guide to Going Viral
Leveraging Social Media Food Trends in Your Restaurant
In today’s digital age, social media has become an integral part of our lives, influencing how we connect, communicate, and consume information. This holds particularly true for the restaurant industry, where social media platforms have emerged as powerful tools for businesses to reach their target audience, promote their brand, and drive sales. Learn how to leverage social media for food trend analysis from our experts at Foodbuy Foodservice.
The Reach of Social Media
According to Backlinko, 70% of Americans have active social media accounts and the average person spends 2 hours and 25 minutes on social media per day. This means that consumers not only have social media, but they use it extensively.
The National Restaurant Association’s “2024 What’s Hot Culinary Forecast” lists the foodservice industry’s top macro trend as incorporating social media food trends into menu and marketing plans.
Stay Abreast of Trends
The world of social media food trends is always changing. You want to make sure you know what the latest and greatest updates are. You’ll want to make
sure you:
Follow influential food and dining personalities on social media.
Subscribe to industry newsletters and blogs.
Use social media listening tools to track keywords and conversations.
Attend industry events and conferences.
Experiment with new social media platforms and features.
That way, you’re aware of trends as they’re happening and don’t risk falling behind the crazes.
Keep Speed in Mind
Social media waits for no man. As the video platform TikTok continues to dominate viewer’s attention, trends are shared with consumers across markets at top speed. The key takeaway? Timing is everything.
While most limited time offers take time to plan and implement, social media food trends can rise and fall in a matter of weeks. While you may not always be able to keep up through menuing, one way to still benefit from trends is to focus marketing efforts on what’s popular at the time. Maybe you want to run digital campaigns highlighting existing menu items that fit a current trend.
Another way to stay relevant in a world of fast fads is by starting your own trends. Broadcasting your most popular or unique menu items on social media could help you start the next big trend. Don’t be afraid to put your dishes out there for the world to see.
Make Sure Your Menu Makes a Splash
Looking to go viral? If you want to set the next social media food trend, you’ll first want to make sure that you have a steady following online. That means making sure you’re consistent on your platform or platforms of choice.
If you want to create a buzz on TikTok or Instagram Reels, you’ll want to already have some customers following you. That means making sure you post high-quality photos and videos online consistently. Experts recommend posting at least once a week to your preferred platform. Plus, engaging with customers through comments and shares can make them feel connected to your brand.
Get Creative Through Food
If you already have a strong social media presence, the next step is making sure
you’re creating menu items and content that attract viewers. Encourage your chefs and bartenders to get creative with appetizers, specials, and cocktails. Showcasing something viewers haven’t seen before is a great way to gain attention online.
When making content, make sure to take full advantage of your chosen social media’s features. That means leaning into stories, videos, and other elements. Finally, consumers use social media to connect, so make sure your content feels like it’s coming from real people. Behind-the-scenes videos and employee features can make your content stand out as by-people and for-people.
Whether you’re focused on social media food trends or operational efficiencies, Foodbuy Foodservice is here to help your business succeed through procurement and consultative memberships. Learn more here {link to about page}.