Restaurant Social Media Statistics [2025]: Trends Shaping the Industry

Struggling to get more diners through your doors? Fifty percent of customers choose restaurants based on social media, yet many businesses still treat it as an afterthought.

Even more, 22% of diners return to a restaurant because of its social media presence. If you’re not engaging your audience, you’re losing repeat business.

Want to turn posts into profits? These 2025 restaurant social media statistics show you how.

Why social media matters for restaurants in 2025

The restaurant industry is massive, but competition is fiercer than ever. With over 1 million restaurant locations in the U.S. and $1 trillion in forecasted sales, standing out is critical.

At the same time, challenges like higher labor costs (98%) and rising food prices (97%) are squeezing profit margins.

Social media has become one of the most cost-effective and high-impact ways to attract customers, increase sales, and stay ahead. 

Here’s what 2025 restaurant social media statistics says:

Social media drives restaurant discovery

Diners aren’t just searching Google anymore—72% of people use social media to research restaurants, and 68% check a restaurant’s social media before visiting. 

If your restaurant isn’t active online, you’re losing visibility.

Even more, 74% of people use social media to decide where to eat, and 54% browse platforms like Instagram and Facebook to pick a restaurant. 

Your online presence directly affects your foot traffic.

Online reviews influence where customers dine

Word-of-mouth marketing has gone digital. 

• Eighty-eight percent of diners trust online reviews as much as personal recommendations, and;
• Eighty-five percent of customers share positive dining experiences on social media. 

A strong reputation online means a steady flow of new customers.

Restaurants know this, which is why 94% of U.S. restaurants actively monitor online reviews. 

Some even take it further—1 in 10 hire third-party agencies to manage their social media presence.

Social media increases repeat business

Getting customers in the door is one thing—keeping them coming back is another. Twenty-two percent of diners return to a restaurant because of its social media presence.

Engaging content, promotions, and customer interactions keep your brand top of mind. 

Fifty-five percent of consumers share their restaurant experiences on social media, and 71% are more likely to recommend a restaurant that engages with them online.

Strong social media presence = higher sales

Your online presence directly impacts revenue. 

Fifty-seven percent of diners have made a reservation through social media, and 32% visit a restaurant’s website after seeing it on social media.

Visually appealing content also drives action—40% of people have tried a new restaurant after seeing food photos on social media, and 86% post about their meal if it looks good. 

Investing in high-quality content translates to real results.

Ignoring social media hurts your business

Restaurants that neglect their social media presence risk losing customers. Thirty percent of people avoid a restaurant if its social media profile looks outdated.

Meanwhile, 78% of consumers believe restaurants with a strong social media presence are more likely to succeed. 

With 45% of restaurant owners expecting more competition in 2025, an inconsistent or inactive social media strategy puts your business at a disadvantage.

Social media advertising is a key growth strategy

Restaurants aren’t just posting for fun—they’re investing real money. 

Social media is now considered the most successful restaurant marketing strategy, ahead of SEO and online directories.

With social media ad spending projected to reach $276.7 billion in 2025, more businesses are using paid strategies to boost their reach. 

Eighty-three percent of ad spending will be on mobile by 2030, meaning mobile-friendly content is more important than ever.

Top social media platforms for restaurants in 2025

With 3.03 billion active social media users, restaurants must be strategic about where they invest their time and marketing budget. 

Not all platforms deliver the same results, and choosing the right one depends on your target audience and business goals.

Each platform serves a different purpose. Some drive restaurant discovery, while others boost engagement, build brand loyalty, or increase sales. 

Here’s a breakdown of how each one impacts restaurant marketing .

1. Facebook

Facebook is still the most-used social media platform for restaurant discovery, with 59% of diners using it to find new places to eat. 

It’s also where customers leave the most reviews—75% of diners choose restaurants based on Facebook comments and pictures.

For older audiences, Facebook is even more important. 80% of guests over 54 and 70% of diners aged 45-54 use it for restaurant discovery. 

If your target market includes older demographics, Facebook should be a priority.

2. Instagram

Instagram is all about visual marketing.

 #Food is the most popular hashtag, with over 250 million posts. 

Restaurants that showcase high-quality food images and videos perform best—38% of users browse food content, and 27% actively share food-related posts.

Engagement rates are also higher here—Instagram’s interaction rate (2.2%) is 10x higher than Facebook (0.22%). 

Posting at peak times (9 AM, noon to 1 PM, and 8 PM) maximizes reach.

3. TikTok

TikTok is a game-changer for restaurant marketing. 55% of TikTok users visit a restaurant after seeing its menu, and 51% dine out because of restaurant content.

Younger audiences dominate TikTok—41% of 18-24-year-olds and 23% of 25-34-year-olds use it to discover new restaurants. 

Restaurants looking to target Millennials and Gen Z should focus on short, engaging food videos.

4. X (Formerly Twitter)

X has the highest restaurant engagement compared to other industries. 

Thirty-two percent of tweets mention food brands, and 45% of UK X users try new dishes based on X posts.

Promotions drive restaurant visits—over 50% of diners visit a restaurant because of a deal they saw on X, while 43% visit based on a food photo. 

Restaurants should focus on real-time updates, trending food discussions, and promotions.

5. YouTube

YouTube is ideal for restaurant branding and storytelling. The platform has 2.5 billion users, with 78% of social users owning a YouTube account.

While short-form content is growing, over 50% of users prefer long-form videos (over 60 seconds). 

Restaurants can use YouTube for food tours, chef interviews, and behind-the-scenes content.

6. Pinterest

Pinterest is a high-intent discovery tool—80% of weekly users find a new brand or product. 

Restaurants can leverage this with SEO-driven Pins, menu highlights, and food photography.

The demand for restaurant content is growing—25% of all social media users want more brands to use Pinterest. It’s an overlooked but powerful platform for food businesses.

7. LinkedIn

While not a customer-focused platform, LinkedIn is essential for B2B marketing. 

With 67 million company profiles and 1 billion members, it’s great for networking with suppliers, investors, and corporate clients.

Forty-three percent of social users have a LinkedIn profile, and 50.6% of users are between 25-34 years old—prime decision-makers in the food industry. 

If your restaurant offers catering or event services, LinkedIn is worth considering.

8. Search engines or social media?

While 42% of diners use social media to find restaurants, 58% still rely on search engines like Google and Yelp. 

This means social media marketing should go hand-in-hand with SEO, online reviews, and digital ads.

Women are more likely to discover restaurants on social media (45% vs. 38% of men), while older customers favor search engines (69% of diners 54+ use Google or Yelp for restaurant discovery).

So which platform should your restaurant focus on?

• For local restaurant discovery: Facebook (59% of diners use it).
• For visual food content: Instagram (#Food has 250M+ posts).
• For viral marketing and Gen Z reach: TikTok (55% of users visit a restaurant after seeing its menu).
• For real-time customer engagement: X (32% of tweets mention food brands).
• For long-form storytelling: YouTube (2.5B users, 78% of social users have accounts).
• For high-intent searches: Pinterest (80% of weekly users find new brands).
• For B2B networking: LinkedIn (67M company profiles).

With restaurant competition increasing by 45% in 2025, choosing the right platform is critical. 

Restaurants that invest in the right social channels will gain more visibility, engagement, and customers.

Social media trends & consumer behavior in 2025

Consumer behavior is shifting fast, and restaurants need to keep up. 

Every surveyed consumer checks social media at least once a week, and 62% check a restaurant’s page before deciding to dine there.

Different age groups interact with restaurant content in unique ways

If your audience skews younger, an active and engaging social presence is non-negotiable.

What content drives customers?

• Food photos influence 57% of people.
• Videos showcasing the dining experience are preferred by 38%.
• Promotions attract 44%, while 19% enjoy behind-the-scenes content.

Ignoring customers can cost you. Nearly 73% will choose a competitor if a restaurant doesn’t respond to messages, and 43% of diners say responding to comments is very important.

The power of influencers

• Influencer reviews impact dining decisions for 40% of guests.
• Younger generations trust them the most, with 49% of 25-34-year-olds influenced by food creators.

Why people follow restaurants

• Promotions and updates drive 30% of follows.
• Engaging content keeps 24% of customers interested.

In 2025, social media is about speed, engagement, and visual storytelling. Restaurants that adapt will attract more diners and stay ahead.

Best practices for restaurant social media in 2025

A strong social media presence isn’t just about posting—it’s about strategy. 

Seventy-five percent of people buy a product after seeing it on social media, but 60.7% need to see a post 2-4 times before making a purchase.

Consistency, engagement, and optimization are key to turning social media into a revenue driver.

Optimize your profiles for easy access

Make sure customers can find key details fast. Your hours, location, contact info, and menu should be easily accessible on your profile. 

Facebook allows you to add a "Book Now" button, upload menus, and highlight busy hours to attract reservations.

Post engaging content, not just promotions

Too many promotions turn customers away—the top reason people unfollow brands is excessive promotional content. 

Instead, mix in user-generated content, customer polls, and action shots of dishes being plated to keep engagement high.

Post when your audience is active

Timing matters. 

A bar posting about cocktails at 9 AM won’t drive sales. Instead, analyze customer behavior and schedule posts right before peak dining hours to influence meal choices.

Use location-based advertising for real-time impact

Facebook allows businesses to serve ads based on location. Store visits increase by 80% within the first day of a mobile ad being served. 

This means targeting customers near your restaurant can drive instant traffic.

Partner with influencers for credibility

Influencer marketing works. Forty percent of diners base their restaurant choice on influencer reviews. 

Collaborate with food bloggers for exclusive menu previews or feature influencers in a social media takeover to boost engagement.

Go live to showcase experiences

Live videos grab attention and build excitement. Use them to stream events, new menu reveals, or chef Q&As to engage followers in real-time.

Make your restaurant "instagrammable"

A visually unique space encourages organic promotion. Restaurants with aesthetic walls, neon signs, or artistic plating get free advertising as customers post their experiences online.

Analyze your performance and adjust

Track engagement, branded hashtags, and Facebook check-ins to see what’s working. A data-driven approach helps refine content strategy and maximize reach.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Ready to amplify your restaurant on social media? Here are answers to the most common questions:

Final thoughts 

Social media isn’t just a marketing tool—it’s a growth engine for restaurants. If you’re not leveraging restaurant social media statistics, you’re missing out on potential customers and revenue.

• Nearly seventy-four percent of people use social media to decide where to eat, making it a primary discovery tool.
• Forty percent of diners try a restaurant after seeing food photos, proving that visuals drive action. 

Want to level up your restaurant’s social media? Cropink designs, optimizes, and tracks high-performing ads that get real results. Book a consultation today!

Sources

1. Menu Tiger. Restaurant Social Media Statistics in 2025
2. Electro IQ. Restaurant Social Media Statistics By Impact, Usage, Marketing, Advantages and Disadvantages
3. Sproutsocial. 80+ Must-know social media marketing statistics for 2025
4. Statista. Share of consumers who find restaurant information by accessing content from a restaurant's social media page in the United States as of May 2023, by generation
5. Web FX. Dig Into These 50 Restaurant Industry Statistics
6. Toast. How Are Diners Using Social Media? 59% Of Respondents Use Facebook the Most To Discover New Restaurants
7. Sproutsocial. The complete guide to social media for restaurants & bars