TikTok can be a powerful tool to attract younger diners to your restaurant. Nearly 30% of TikTok users fall between the ages of 20-29, while 16.4% of users are within the 30-39 age range. These audiences also interact heavily, with the average TikTok user opening the app eight times each day.
It’s possible to create content for TikTok to promote your dining business. You can reach local audiences and encourage people to try out your restaurant or return to it. Follow these tips to engage fans effectively.
Hype up your menu items.
One of the best ways to promote your restaurant on TikTok is to share the food your team works so hard to create. Share videos of the cooking process and behind-the-scenes steps to build your customers’ favorite dishes.
You can also create videos from the point of view (POV) of the customer. For example, get a slow-motion video of the restaurant owner slicing open a poached egg. There’s nothing like a perfectly runny egg yolk to get customers excited for brunch.
Creating content around food will require collaboration with your cooking staff. Your chef will need to prepare dishes for TikTok, alert your team to highlight new specials or create space in the kitchen for filming.
Jump on new trends.
TikTok is known for its catchy dances and fun challenges. Every week there is something new to try. Keep an eye on popular trends to see if you can create content around them. (Just make sure they are safe and ethical — not everything that comes from TikTok is something you want to or should replicate.)
This is a great way to showcase your team members and their personalities, especially if you aren’t taking the latest dance craze too seriously. For example, your bartender can replicate the latest #bartok trend, or your pastry chef can explain a popular ingredient that’s popping up everywhere right now.
Work with local influencers.
Depending on your budget, the restaurant management team can reach out to local influencers (from news personalities to bloggers) about collaborating on sponsored content. This is a great option if you don’t have a large TikTok presence or don’t use it at all.
These influencers will visit your restaurant and try your dishes, react to the meal throughout, or post about it after their experience. The content can reach thousands of people who will then be curious about your dishes or restaurant and follow you, too.
Elevate your operations for a better customer experience.
Bringing customers through the door with TikTok is only the first step toward restaurant success. You also need to win them over with good food and smooth operations. First, evaluate your current restaurant management software to see if there is room for improvement. Then contact the team at SALIDO if you are ready for a point of sale (POS) upgrade. We can set you up with a restaurant POS system that matches the rest of your fine dining experience.
