17 Marketing Strategies for Fast Food Restaurants

Imagine having the right tools to skyrocket your fast food business. Discover strategies that can elevate your brand to new heights.

We’ve gathered tried-and-true marketing tips tailored specifically for your fast food restaurant. Turn visitors into loyal customers, optimize your offerings, and stand out in a crowded marketplace.

Whether you’re a startup or an industry giant, this post offers valuable insights to supercharge your business.

Digital marketing strategies for fast food restaurants

Using smart digital strategies, you can engage potential customers and stand out from the crowd. Let’s see some strategies for you:

1. Leverage local influencers for restaurant promotions

Engage popular local influencers to promote your restaurant. By having them post about your fast food restaurant on their social media platforms, you can reach a wider audience base. This kind of peer-to-peer marketing can drive interest and generate more footfall.

2. Create virtual reality experiences of food preparation

Use virtual reality technology to provide immersive experiences of your food preparation process. This strategy not only entertains your customers but also builds trust by showcasing the cleanliness and quality of ingredients used.

3. Implement social media food photo contests

Encourage your customers to take part in food photo contests on social media. This strategy not only increases customer engagement but also broadens your reach as their followers get to know about your restaurant.

4. Collaborate with food bloggers for online reviews

Partner with food bloggers to review your restaurant online. Their followers trust their opinions and recommendations, making this an effective way of marketing your restaurant and attracting new customers.

5. Use geofencing to target potential customers nearby

Deploy geofencing technology to send targeted advertisements to potential customers in your vicinity. This strategy ensures that your restaurant is top-of-mind when they’re deciding on where to eat.

6. Launch an exclusive online menu for digital customers

Offer an online-exclusive menu to attract more digital customers. This strategy gives people more reasons to order online. Make sure these items are as tasty and appealing as your regular menu items.

7. Organize online flash sales during low traffic hours

To boost sales during slow hours, organize flash sales online. This not only increases your revenue during off-peak hours but also gives your customers a reason to check your website regularly.

8. Incorporate augmented reality in your mobile app for interactive menus

Integrate augmented reality into your mobile app to create interactive menus. This fun and engaging approach can enhance the food ordering experience, making your customers more likely to order again.

9. Develop a loyalty program with online-only rewards

Start a loyalty program that offers online-only rewards. This encourages customers to make repeat purchases and stay engaged with your digital platforms.

10. Create time-limited discount codes for social media followers

Offer time-limited discount codes to your social media followers. This not only rewards them for following you but also encourages them to make a purchase sooner rather than later.

For a more comprehensive understanding of fast food restaurants-specific marketing, don’t miss our comprehensive article, “Marketing guide for fast food restaurants“, which provides even deeper into the subject.

Offline marketing strategies for fast food restaurants

Even in an increasingly online world, offline marketing still maintains its substantial charm. Let’s jump into how you can maximize the impact of your offline marketing efforts:

11. Stage surprise pop-up events at local gatherings

Fast food restaurants should seize every opportunity to make a splash in the local community. One compelling way is to stage surprise pop-up events at local gatherings. These events serve as a platform to showcase your menu items, offer free samples, and interact directly with potential customers. It’s a great way to create buzz around your restaurant, and it can lead to increased patronage.

12. Develop a branded mobile food truck for high traffic areas

Another effective offline marketing strategy is to develop a branded mobile food truck. By taking your restaurant on wheels, you can specifically target high-traffic areas, bringing your food directly to potential customers. The truck should be eye-catching and bear your restaurant’s logo prominently. This strategy can attract new customers and raise brand awareness in a fun, mobile way.

13. Create a public outdoor BBQ event featuring your signature dishes

Creating public outdoor BBQ events featuring your signature dishes can be an excellent way to engage with the community. These events allow you to showcase your restaurant’s culinary skills and provide a space for potential customers to sample your food. It’s an effective way to attract new customers while simultaneously reinforcing relationships with existing patrons.

14. Organize a secret menu item scavenger hunt

A fun and engaging offline marketing strategy is to organize a secret menu item scavenger hunt. This strategy invigorates your customer base, as they hunt for clues about secret menu items hidden in your restaurant or around town. This not only drives customers to your restaurant but also promotes interaction and engagement, which ultimately boosts business.

15. Launch a ‘pay with creativity’ day

Launching a ‘pay with creativity’ day can be a unique offline marketing strategy. This event encourages customers to pay for their meals through creative means, such as drawings, poems, songs, or dance. This not only creates a memorable dining experience but also generates user-created content that can be shared across various platforms, furthering your reach and visibility.

16. Set up a taste challenge with competitors’ dishes at community fairs

Setting up a taste challenge with competitors’ dishes at community fairs is another intriguing offline marketing strategy. It involves presenting your dishes alongside those of your competitors and having fair attendees vote for their favorite. This direct comparison can highlight the superiority of your food, helping to win over new customers.

17. Roll out a free cooking class featuring fast food hacks at a local community center

Rolling out a free cooking class featuring fast food hacks at a local community center can be an excellent way to connect with the community. Besides teaching attendees how to recreate some of their favorite dishes, it also provides an opportunity to show off your culinary skills. This can generate interest in your restaurant and lead to increased patronage in the long run.

BONUS: Get Inspired by Strategies of Other Industries’ Marketing

While our focus in this article is on fast food restaurants-specific marketing strategies, it’s indeed beneficial to investigate tactics used in different fields. Here are some of our other guides to broaden your perspective:

There could be hidden gems that will inspire your marketing campaigns and help you stand out in a competitive market.

You can explore more insightful marketing guides by clicking here.

Also few specific marketing domain resources for enriching your idea bucket:

Thats it!

Now it’s your turn

And there you have it: my list of 17 advanced marketing strategies tailored for fast food restaurants.

Now I’d love to hear from you:

Which approach from this list are you eager to implement first?

Are you excited to boost your online presence through digital marketing strategies?

Perhaps you’re planning to foster strategic alliances through partner marketing?

Or maybe, the aim is to craft a memorable customer journey through experience marketing?

Whichever path you choose, I’m all ears. Share your thoughts in the comments section below.