Public relations is vital in any business, especially in the competitive restaurant industry. Successful PR can help manage your restaurant’s positive reputation, nurture your relationship with the public, and attract potential customers.

While you might already have a marketing budget for things like paid placements and media buying, it’s crucial to incorporate a PR strategy. While marketing guarantees to get your brand out there, PR helps build credibility, support your reputation and relationship with the public.

Before implementing any PR tactics it’s important to have a successful strategy to understand your brand. A successful strategy begins with knowing your story and understanding your brand. What story does your restaurant want to tell?

Maybe it’s the story of the restaurant owner or a recipe from the chef that’s been passed down generations that’s a restaurant staple. Once you’ve nailed this down, you’ll know the key messages to work with when doing your PR outreach. 

Press Releases

We will be the first to tell you that everything doesn’t need a press release. Strategic pitching can be as successful as sending a press release, if not more successful. However, press releases have long been a PR staple used and an essential tool in sharing news. Whether you’re celebrating a milestone anniversary, a restaurant opening, or announcing a new menu, a well-crafted press release can garner the attention of journalists and media outlets.

Build Relationships with the Media

As for anyone, building and nurturing relationships with the media is of the utmost importance in PR. Sending out press releases or hosting a media dinner can help keep your restaurant stay top of mind for the media. Building genuine relationships is a major factor when journalists trust you and they need a soundbite about the restaurant industry. 

Embrace Social Media

In today’s digital age, it’s vital to have an active social media presence. Social media offers a direct connection with your current and potential customers.

While you might think it’s simply posting pretty pictures of food, it’s a lot more. Creating engaging content, partnerships with influencers, and quick customer service are only some of the ways to elevate your restaurant’s reputation online.

Don’t forget: Social media is not only about promoting your business –  it’s a way to build your community, engage with your audience, and foster brand loyalty.

Create Brand Buzz with Events

There’s nothing quite like creating buzz for your business like participating in or hosting an event. Events can be a great way to get your name out there and interact with potential customers. Whether it’s a wine and food pairing or participating in a local food festival, it provides the opportunity to not only showcase your food, but showcase what makes your restaurant stand out. 

The Power of Social Proof

The power of social proof shouldn’t be underestimated. The reality of social proof can break or make a decision when going to a restaurant. Encourage influencers and customers to leave a review or post to social media. Positive reviews can be powerful when it comes to the perception of your business. Don’t only encourage it but take the time to engage with your reviewers, respond to feedback and thank customers for their support

Feedback and Restaurant Reviews

Getting a negative review might feel like the end of the world, and honestly a negative review or press can make or break a restaurant. That’s why it’s important to have a crisis plan in place and we recommend a dedicated PR pro to address the concerns. 

The good news is that PR addresses the criticism head on rather than hiding from it. Taking the time to monitor reviews on Google and Facebook, addressing bad press, or simply having open conversations with your customers can turn a potential PR nightmare into an opportunity to re-establish trust and growth. 

If this sounds like too much for your brand or maybe you don’t quite know where to start, you may need a PR agency such as Novatur to manage and handle all of your PR needs. If you would like to start your PR journey, let’s discuss it over a Discovery Call.