Restaurant Social Media Statistics By Impact, Usage, Marketing, Advantages and Disadvantages

Saisuman Revankar
Written by
Saisuman Revankar

Updated · Sep 18, 2024

Aruna Madrekar
Edited by
Aruna Madrekar

Editor

Restaurant Social Media Statistics By Impact, Usage, Marketing, Advantages and Disadvantages

Introduction

Restaurant Social Media Statistics: In today’s world, where smartphones are everywhere, and online reviews are very important, social media has become crucial for restaurants. Research shows that 90% of people check restaurants online before deciding where to eat. Many of these people use social media to find, choose, and get ideas about places to dine.

Since the average person spends about 144 minutes a day on social media, it’s an effective way for restaurants to promote themselves and offer special deals. We shall shed more light on the Restaurant Social Media Statistics through this article.

Editor’s Choice

  • Social media is the second most trusted source for people when choosing where to eat.
  • 90% of restaurants, hotels, bars, and similar businesses use social media for marketing and promotion.
  • About 95% of food and beverage businesses use Facebook.
  • From 2022 to 2024, TikTok became a powerful tool for restaurant marketing thanks to its paid ads.
  • Approximately 80% of restaurants, hotels, and bars use Instagram to promote their businesses.
  • Over 40% of bars, restaurants, and similar businesses use Twitter to build their brand.
  • Restaurant Social Media Statistics stated that around 60% of consumers use Instagram to find new restaurants.
  • More than 50% of people use Facebook to find and learn about restaurant events.
  • Restaurants that actively reply to customer reviews on social media see a 15% increase in customer satisfaction.

Impact Of Social Media On Restaurants

In today’s digital world, social media is essential for restaurants to build connections and grow their business. Here’s how social media helps restaurants with customer discovery, brand awareness, and influencing dining choices:

#1. Discovery and Decision Making

  • 90% of people research restaurants online before choosing where to eat, and 72% of these people use social media platforms like Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter to find new dining options, check out menus, and make decisions based on the information and reviews they see.

#2. Reviews and Recommendations

  • 88% of people trust online reviews as much as or more than personal recommendations.
  • This shows how important social media is for building trust and credibility.
  • Encouraging positive reviews, responding to feedback, and sharing positive customer experiences can help restaurants influence potential diners.

#3. Brand Awareness and Engagement

  • 60% of restaurants use social media as a key way to advertise their brand. This helps increase visibility, reach more people, and build strong connections with customers.
  • By regularly posting interesting content, running promotions, and quickly answering questions, restaurants can create a loyal following and strengthen their brand.

#4. Driving Sales

  • 22% of customers are more likely to return to a restaurant because of its strong social media presence.
  • Plus, 32% of people visit a restaurant’s website directly after seeing it on social media, which can lead to more online orders or reservations.

#5. Customer Loyalty

  • 71% of customers are more likely to recommend a restaurant that offers easy online ordering and responds quickly on social media.
  • This shows that good social media practices can build trust and encourage repeat business.
  • Overall, these numbers show that social media is not just a trend but a vital tool for restaurants.
  • It helps attract and engage customers, boost sales, and build loyalty.
  • Using these insights to create a strong social media strategy can help restaurants connect with customers and reach their business goals.

Social Media Influence On Consumers’ Decision

  • Nearly 74% of people use social media to decide where to eat.
  • Around 85% of diners are likely to share a positive experience at a restaurant on social media.
  • 71% of people are more likely to buy based on social media recommendations.
  • Almost 75% of Instagram users take action after being inspired by a post.
  • 40% of people have tried a new restaurant after seeing food photos on social media.
  • Around 86% of diners will post about their meal if it looks appealing.
  • Restaurant Social Media Statistics stated that almost 68% of customers check a restaurant’s social media before visiting.
  • Around 54% browse social media to choose where to eat.
  • 55% of consumers share their restaurant experiences on social media as per Restaurant Social Media Statistics.
  • Roughly 30% would only avoid a restaurant if its social media profiles were updated.
  • 78% believe restaurants with strong social media presence are more likely to succeed.
  • Around 57% have made a reservation through social media.
  • 65% have tried a new restaurant because of social media marketing.

most-engaging-social-media-content

\(Reference: elluminatiinc.com)

Written Articles

27%
Videos

26%

Images

24%
Offers/Promotions

10%

Infographics

7%
Quizzes/Polls

3%

Webinars

2%

  • Nearly 79% say user-generated content greatly influences their dining decisions.
  • Restaurant Social Media Statistics stated that almost 47% of millennials are swayed by social media when picking a restaurant.
  • Almost 71% are more likely to visit a restaurant if their friends have posted about it on social media.
  • Around 61% say a positive review on social media would make them more likely to try a restaurant.

Social Media Usage Statistics

  • 88% of restaurants use social media to market their business, showing how important it is.
  • 57% of people have taken action after seeing a restaurant’s social media post, and 45% have ordered food through a restaurant’s social media page.
  • 25% of restaurant marketers prefer Instagram, while 59% of restaurants use Facebook. Instagram’s visual style makes it great for showing off food.
  • 42% of people expect a reply within an hour on social media and 77% like personalized content. Responding quickly and personally can make customers happier, according to Restaurant Social Media Statistics.
  • 50% of diners have tried a new restaurant after seeing posts on social media, and 63% are more likely to visit if they see special offers on social media.

social-media-users-worldwide-2024

(Reference: blog2social.com)

Facebook

  • Facebook’s monthly active users are growing by 8% each year, reaching 2.41 billion.
  • Facebook’s app is the fifth most downloaded free app on the App Store.
  • Restaurant Social Media Statistics stated that almost 71% of adults in the USA use Facebook.
  • The largest group of Facebook ad viewers is 25 to 34 years old.
  • Seniors are the fastest-growing age group on Facebook.
  • Wealthy individuals are heavy Facebook users, with 74% using it regularly.
  • 74% of Facebook users log in every day.
  • The average cost of a Facebook ad went down by 4% in 2022.

Twitter

  • One hundred fifty-two million people use Twitter every day.
  • The average Twitter user spends just under 4 minutes per session.
  • 80% of Twitter users are wealthy millennials.
  • People spend 26% more time looking at ads on Twitter compared to other sites.
  • Restaurant Social Media Statistics stated that around 93% of Twitter users are open to seeing brand content on the platform.
  • Clicks from Twitter to websites have increased by 6% each year.
  • Restaurant Social Media Statistics stated that adding a hashtag to a tweet can double your engagement, increasing it by 100%.

Instagram

  • 63% of users log into Instagram at least once a day.
  • People spend an average of 28 minutes on Instagram each day.
  • Instagram ads can reach around $849 million users.
  • Restaurant Social Media Statistics stated that about 1/3 of the most viewed Instagram Stories come from businesses.
  • Brands typically post around 2.5 stories per week.
  • Instagram is the 10th most popular search on Google.
  • American teens use Instagram more than any other social media platform.

YouTube

  • Restaurant Social Media Statistics stated that YouTube reaches more viewers than all US TV cable networks combined.
  • It is the second most popular video platform for people aged 18 to 34.
  • Users watch one billion hours of videos on YouTube every day.
  • The average person spends 11 minutes and 50 seconds on YouTube daily.
  • 70% of marketers believe YouTube is the second most important social media platform for influencer marketing.
  • 90% of consumers have discovered a brand through YouTube.
  • 44% of diners are more likely to go to a restaurant if they see good reviews about it.
  • 30% of social media users might recommend a restaurant if they see positive images shared.
  • 56% of people are more likely to choose a restaurant if they see photos of its dishes on social media. Good pictures can attract more customers.
  • Restaurant Social Media Statistics stated that almost 68% of millennials are influenced by friends’ social media posts when picking a restaurant, and 47% are likely to find new food trends online.
  • 74% of people trust social networks to help them make buying decisions. A positive social media presence can influence customer trust and choices.

Share Of People Using Social Media To Collect Information On Restaurants

share-of-people-who-have-used-before-social-media-to-gather-information-on-restaurants-in-japan-as-of-february-2023-by-age-group

(Reference: statista.com)

Age Group Share of users in %

20 to 29 years

88%
30 to 39 years

87%

40 to 49 years

76%
50 years and older

79%

  • In a survey done in February 2023 in Japan, 88% of people in their twenties reported using social media to find information about restaurants.
  • Overall, most social media users, no matter their age, use these platforms to look up restaurant details.

Restaurants Social Media Marketing Statistics

  • Restaurant Social Media Statistics stated that 89% of diners in the U.S. have a social media account.
  • 62% of diners in the U.S. log into their social media accounts several times a day.
  • 72% of clients use Facebook to decide on restaurants based on comments and photos shared by others.
  • 71% of customers are more prone to recommend a restaurant that responds quickly on social media.
  • 57% of social media mentions about restaurants praised their quick service.
  • 99% of Gen Z and Millennials are more prone to use social media to choose restaurants than Baby Boomers.

the-effects-of-a-bad-restaurant-website

(Reference: zippia.com)

Discouraging from visiting

68%
Discouraged from ordering delivery/takeout

62%

Discouraged from ordering by non-mobile friendly site

36%
Discouraging from visiting by bad food photography

36%

Turned off by difficult-to-read menus

30%
Turned off by outdated look

30%

  • Restaurant Social Media Statistics stated that adding images to Tweets gets you 150% more retweets.
  • Restaurants that engage with their followers on social media see a 40% or more increase in spending.
  • In 2023, the top restaurant hashtags were #restaurant, #food, and #foodie.
  • Here are key social media statistics according to various Social media handles:
Social media Active Users Time Spent Gender Mix

Age mix

You Tube

30 billion 19min/day 53.9%male 15-35
TikTok 113 million 23.5hr/mth 46% male

18-24

Twitter

556 million 34.8min/day 63% male 18-44
Instagram 2 billion 30min/day 51.8% male

18-34

Facebook

2.96 billion 33min/day 56.6% male

25-34

Food Bloggers And Food Content On Different Platforms Statistics

  • Food blogs have been growing a lot, with an increase of 12% since 2015.
  • Restaurant Social Media Statistics stated that the U.S. has around 32 million food bloggers.
  • Food blogging is the top niche, with 42.8% of bloggers focusing on it each month.
  • 42% of food bloggers make money from social media ads, 11% from sponsored posts, and 10% from affiliate links.
  • 75% of Facebook users choose restaurants based on reviews and comments from others.
  • 55% of users go to restaurants after finding them on TikTok.
  • The use of social media for food orders has grown by nearly 300% over the last decade.
  • Spending on food influencers is expected to rise by 43% by 2024.
  • 88% of social media users rely on online reviews to select restaurants instead of personal recommendations.
  • 82% of restaurants in the U.S. use social media as their main marketing and advertising tool, according to Restaurant Social Media Statistics.
  • 90% of people check a restaurant’s social media pages before visiting.
  • 92% of food consumers read online reviews before deciding where to eat.
  • 22% of customers are encouraged to visit a restaurant because of its social media presence.

Niches-with-the-most-high-traffic-blogs

(Source: rankiq.com)

  • Restaurant Social Media Statistics stated that around 75% of food bloggers said they started their blogs for personal enjoyment.
  • There are more than 600 million food blogs online today.
  • Every year, two billion food blog posts are published.
  • Food blogging is the most profitable niche, earning an average of $9,170 per month.
  • On Twitter, 4.64% of food bloggers focus on food travel, 18.94% on fast food, 32.95% on homemade meals, and the largest group, 34.92%, on healthy eating.
  • 27% of food bloggers admitted they created their blogs to gain recognition from other bloggers.
  • 39% of Instagram users look for food content, and 27% share food-related photos and videos.
  • According to Restaurant Social Media Statistics, the hashtag #food is used 250 million times on Instagram each month.

Following are the Top 10 Food Influencers on Instagram:

Rank Influencer Avg. Engagement Followers

1

Kenny Song 802k 2.6m
2 ChefKoudy 337k

775k

3

Anatolii Dobrovolskyi 335k 2.7m
4 Abir El Saghir 318k

8.6m

5

Betul Tunc 315k 10.5m
6 Lucie | Butterhand 286k

727k

7

Bread by Elise 275k 1m
8 Cooking with Marshmello 249k

2.7m

9

Olivia Tiedemann 192k 4.4m
10 Alfie Steiner 177k

4.1m

Advantages And Disadvantages Of Social Media Marketing Channels

Which Channel(s) to Choose:

  • Facebook and Instagram are great for broad reach and regular interaction. Facebook’s big audience and Instagram’s focus on visuals complement each other well.
  • For creative and engaging content, TikTok is a good option if you can make standout videos.
  • If video content is important, YouTube is effective but requires more resources.
  • Twitter works well for real-time updates and trending topics, but it’s best used in conjunction with other platforms.
  • Pick the social media channels that best fit your restaurant’s needs, goals, and budget.
Social Media Pros Cons

YouTube

YouTube helps you reach more people by effectively showing off your restaurant’s atmosphere and dishes and appealing to a diverse audience. Costly and time to make good quality YouTube videos
Twitter The viral potential of TikTok increases restaurants’ visibility, reaching a huge audience and encouraging engagement.

YouTube helps you reach more people by showcasing your restaurant’s vibe and menu, and it effectively draws in a diverse group of viewers.

TikTok

The GO-TO News way for the United States readers With recent changes, it’s still being determined if users will gradually switch to other platforms.
Instagram Instagram Stories and Reels are very engaging and simple to make, especially for sharing behind-the-scenes (BTS) content.

Building a follower base is only possible with spending money.

Facebook

Facebook is the basic social platform that is widely used, and it also includes Facebook Messenger.

Facebook’s algorithm changes can limit organic reach.

Conclusion

Social media is crucial for marketing in many fields, including restaurants. By using social media, restaurants can connect with customers, improve their brand visibility, and drive more foot traffic. To make the most of social media, you need to understand its benefits, tackle common challenges, and follow best practices for the food industry. We have shed enough light on the Restaurant Social Media Statistics through this article.

FAQ.

How many times should a restaurant post on social media?

Restaurants should try to post on social media at least three times a week. Posting this often helps keep your followers interested and ensures your content gets seen. Regular posts are important for staying visible and engaging with your audience.

What percentage of restaurants use social media?

Right now, 63% of restaurants use social media as their main advertising medium. This works well because 49% of people say they’ve found out about local restaurants through social media.

How does social media affect the food industry?

75% of Facebook users pick restaurants based on reviews and comments from other customers, and 55% of users visit restaurants after seeing them on TikTok. Food orders made through social media have jumped by nearly 300% in the past ten years.

Saisuman Revankar
Saisuman Revankar

Saisuman is a professional content writer specializing in health, law, and space-related articles. Her experience includes designing featured articles for websites and newsletters, as well as conducting detailed research for medical professionals and researchers. Passionate about languages since childhood, Saisuman can read, write, and speak in five different languages. Her love for languages and reading inspired her to pursue a career in writing. Saisuman holds a Master's in Business Administration with a focus on Human Resources and has worked in a Human Resources firm for a year. She was previously associated with a French international company. In addition to writing, Saisuman enjoys traveling and singing classical songs in her leisure time.

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