Local Love, Digital Reach: Building a Buzzworthy Hotel Restaurant
Kenneth Scharlatt
ARE YOU READY to bring a restauranteur mindset into your hotel’s food & beverage operation? ARE YOU READY to bring excitement, innovation & a game changing F&B experience for your hotel guests & the local community? ????
Picture this: a guest discovers your hotel restaurant not by walking through the lobby, but by scrolling through their phone. A beautifully plated dish, a video of a bartender pouring a vibrant cocktail, or a lively post showcasing your weekend brunch—all of these moments unfold on social media before they unfold in person. But here’s the catch: not all platforms work the same, and using a one-size-fits-all approach can mean your content gets lost in the shuffle. With billions of users scrolling, liking, and sharing daily, the question isn’t whether your restaurant should be active on social media—it’s whether you’re creating the right kind of content for each platform.
OK -- so let's imagine this: each platform is like a different style of dining room. Instagram is your sleek, modern bistro where presentation is everything. TikTok is your vibrant, playful street market where personality steals the show. LinkedIn? It’s your upscale private dining room for corporate clients. Each space demands its own vibe, its own energy, and its own strategy. So how do you decide where to focus your attention? The key lies in understanding who’s on each platform, what they want to see, and how you can translate your restaurant’s magic into content that resonates.
Now -- let’s address the elephant in the room... TIME (and the lack thereof)! As a food and beverage leader, you’re juggling team management, budgets, guest experiences, and more. Who has the time to "play around" on social media? But here’s the truth: creating content for social media doesn’t have to be overwhelming! By focusing on the unique strengths of each platform—and integrating tools like AI to help streamline the process—you can turn your restaurant’s social presence into a high-impact, low-effort extension of your brand.
This is the power of combining social media with AI technology. When used and paired in a strategic way, both can transform your restaurant from a hidden gem to a must-visit destination. Social media amplifies your story, allowing you to connect with guests on an emotional level, while AI helps you save time, streamline your efforts, and ensure your content reaches the right audience at the right time. Together, they make it easier than ever to showcase your restaurant’s personality, highlight your team’s creativity, and engage with your community in a way that feels authentic and effortless. The result? More visibility, more excitement, and more guests eager to experience what makes your venue truly special.
Let's dive in!
Why EVERY Hotel Restaurant or Lounge Needs Its Own Social Media Presence
Too often, hotel restaurants and lounges are hidden in the shadow of their property. A beautifully plated dish, a mixologist’s stunning cocktail creation, or the buzz of your Friday night crowd can be diluted or overlooked entirely when buried beneath posts about room upgrades, spa promotions, and lobby decor. To truly stand out, your restaurant or lounge needs its own distinct social media presence—separate from the overarching hotel account.
Think about it: Would a guest scroll through a hotel’s Instagram to find the next must-try brunch spot or a unique cocktail experience? Not likely. They’re looking for a dedicated account that speaks directly to what they’re hungry for—literally and figuratively. Independent social media pages allow your restaurant to showcase its personality, offerings, and vibe while targeting a broader audience than just hotel guests.
Stop Thinking Like Hoteliers, Start Thinking Like Restaurateurs
Hoteliers often focus on continuity across the brand, but a great restaurant or lounge thrives on individuality. Imagine you’re competing not just with other hotel restaurants but with the trendiest local hotspots in town. Local diners aren’t searching for “hotel food”; they’re looking for an experience—authentic flavors, immersive ambiance, and an unforgettable atmosphere.
Having a dedicated social media presence transforms your restaurant or lounge from an amenity into a destination. It allows you to connect with foodies, locals, and influencers who aren’t necessarily staying at your hotel but are eager to share and experience a vibrant dining scene. You’re no longer a “hotel restaurant”—you’re the restaurant everyone is talking about.
Control Your Narrative
A standalone social media presence gives you complete control over your restaurant’s voice and branding. You’re not just a footnote in the hotel’s story; you’re the main character in your own. This allows you to:
Authenticity Drives Engagement
Hotel-branded accounts often feel corporate, and while professionalism is essential, authenticity is what drives social media success. Separate accounts allow you to let your restaurant’s personality shine. Post a quick video of your chef laughing with their team or your bartender mixing up a wild new creation. It’s this human touch that builds genuine connections and keeps your followers engaged.
Attract Locals, Win Travelers
Local diners are the lifeblood of a successful restaurant, and a robust, unique social media presence is your bridge to engaging them. The beauty of this strategy? Travelers often look for local gems when planning their trips. A dedicated social account positions your venue as both a beloved local hotspot and a must-visit destination for out-of-towners, broadening your reach far beyond the walls of your property.
By adopting the mindset of an independent restaurateur, you can turn your hotel restaurants and lounges into stand-alone brands with its own loyal following—one that thrives both within and outside of the hotel ecosystem.
The AI Advantage: A Helping Hand, Not the Whole Solution
Social media success isn’t about replacing creativity with automation, but rather using tools to support your vision. AI can act as your assistant, helping to generate ideas, save time, and maximize your impact. Whether it’s crafting a clever caption, scheduling posts, or analyzing engagement data, AI is a powerful tool that makes your job easier.
How AI Can Help Your Restaurant’s Social Media Strategy:
While AI can streamline the process, it’s important to maintain a personal touch. Your audience connects with your authenticity, so use AI as a support system while keeping the heart of your content rooted in the personality and values of your restaurant.
Instagram: Your Visual Playground
Platform Stats: Instagram boasts over 2 billion monthly active users, with 70% of users aged 18-34. A staggering 83% of users discover new products and services on the platform, making it ideal for showcasing your restaurant’s food, ambiance, and personality.
Instagram is where your restaurant’s visual identity comes to life. Think of it as your digital showroom, where every post is an invitation to experience your venue. Start with high-quality photos of your signature dishes, beautifully set tables, or cocktails glistening in perfect light. Pair these visuals with engaging captions that tell a story—share the inspiration behind a dish, highlight your team’s creativity, or tease upcoming specials.
Video content is king on Instagram, especially Reels, which drive 40% more engagement than static posts. Use Reels to capture moments like your chef plating a dish, a bartender shaking up a signature cocktail, or a time-lapse of your dining room filling with guests. Stories are your chance to go behind the scenes, giving followers a personal look at your team, kitchen, or daily operations.
Engagement is key on Instagram. Use Stories to ask questions, host polls, and share behind-the-scenes content that feels personal and authentic. Guests want to connect with your story—show them the people behind the food, the creativity in the kitchen, and the joy in the dining room. Local hashtags and geotags help your posts reach potential diners nearby, while foodie-specific tags connect you with a broader audience.
Using AI to Elevate Your Instagram Strategy AI can supercharge your Instagram efforts, making it easier to create engaging content and maintain a consistent posting schedule. Here’s how:
By incorporating AI into your Instagram workflow, you can create a more streamlined process while maintaining the creativity and personality that makes your brand unique.
Hypothetical Scenario: You’re launching a new dessert: a dramatic chocolate dome that melts under hot caramel. Using AI, you generate a compelling caption: “The dessert experience you didn’t know you needed ???? Watch the magic unfold at [Your Restaurant].” You upload a short video of the caramel pour into an AI editing tool, which adds trending music, smooth transitions, and text overlays like “Hot caramel magic ?” within minutes.
Once your post is live, AI analyzes engagement metrics, showing that followers are especially drawn to your Reels featuring desserts. With this insight, you plan future posts to focus on your creative pastry options, ensuring your audience stays engaged. The result? More likes, shares, and, most importantly, more guests eager to try the dessert for themselves.
Facebook: Building Community, One Post at a Time
Platform Stats: With nearly 3 billion active users, Facebook remains a powerhouse for reaching families, professionals, and local communities. Its primary demographic—35-54-year-olds—makes it especially effective for promoting group dining, events, and family-friendly experiences.
Facebook thrives on interaction. Use it to share updates, celebrate milestones, and engage directly with your audience. Create posts that highlight your team, showcase your menu, or tell the story of your restaurant’s connection to the community. Long-form content, like the inspiration behind a new dish or your commitment to sourcing local ingredients, performs well here.
One of Facebook’s standout features is Events. Whether it’s a wine-pairing dinner, live music night, or holiday brunch, creating a Facebook Event helps build buzz and drive attendance. Data shows that Facebook Events can increase attendance by 20% or more. Pair these events with consistent follow-up posts, such as teaser photos and countdown reminders, to keep them top of mind.
Facebook is also a platform where your guests often leave reviews and ask questions. Responding quickly and thoughtfully demonstrates your commitment to great service and builds trust with your audience. It’s an extension of your hospitality, translated into the digital space.
Using AI to Streamline Your Facebook Strategy AI tools can simplify and elevate your Facebook content, helping you focus on meaningful engagement without taking up hours of your time.
By using AI to handle repetitive tasks, you free up time to focus on the creative and personal aspects of your Facebook strategy, ensuring your presence feels dynamic and authentic.
Hypothetical Scenario: You’re hosting a Wine & Dine Night with a local vineyard. Using AI, you generate an event description: “Sip, savor, and celebrate ??? An exclusive night of wine pairings and chef-curated dishes, hosted by [Vineyard Name]. Limited seating—RSVP now!” You create the Event in minutes and let an AI scheduling tool plan follow-up posts to build excitement, including teaser photos of the dishes and a video featuring your chef discussing the menu.
On the night of the event, you use Facebook Live to give followers a glimpse of the ambiance, from the candlelit tables to the sommelier introducing the first pairing. Afterward, AI analyzes the engagement, showing that the live stream generated the most interest. Armed with this insight, you decide to incorporate live content into future events, knowing it resonates with your audience. The result? A sold-out evening and an even bigger buzz for your next event.
TikTok: Where Creativity Meets Virality
Platform Stats: TikTok has over 1 billion monthly active users, with 62% under the age of 30. The average user spends an incredible 95 minutes per day on the app, making it one of the most engaging platforms available.
TikTok thrives on fun, creativity, and authenticity. It’s not the place for perfection—it’s where quirky, raw, and relatable content shines. Use TikTok to showcase the personality of your restaurant, whether it’s your team joking around during prep, a time-lapse of your dining room filling up for dinner service, or a chef’s dramatic plate presentation. Short, snappy videos (10-30 seconds) that capture attention within the first few seconds are key to success.
Lean into TikTok trends. Participate in challenges, use trending sounds, and embrace the platform’s playful nature. Highlight unique aspects of your menu, create how-to clips, or even film funny reenactments of common guest interactions. The more you engage with the platform’s dynamic culture, the more relatable and shareable your content becomes.
TikTok’s algorithm rewards creativity and engagement, giving even small accounts the chance to go viral. A single trending video can drive significant buzz and foot traffic to your restaurant.
Using AI to Elevate Your TikTok Strategy AI can take the guesswork out of creating engaging TikTok content, helping you save time while keeping up with the platform’s fast-paced trends.
By leveraging AI, you can stay on top of TikTok’s ever-changing trends while maintaining an engaging and creative presence.
Hypothetical Scenario: You’re introducing a new color-changing cocktail called the "Magic Hour." You upload a short video of your bartender pouring the drink into an ice-filled glass, where the colors transform as they mix. Using AI, you generate a caption: “Science or magic? You decide ???? Available now at [Your Restaurant]. #ColorChangingCocktail #TikTokDrinks.”
An AI video editing tool adds trending music, smooth transitions, and text overlays like “Unleash the Magic ?.” Once posted, AI analytics reveal that the video is gaining traction, with high engagement during the first three hours. Inspired by this momentum, you use AI to suggest a follow-up video idea: a behind-the-scenes clip showing how the cocktail’s color-changing effect works.
The result? A viral post that drives guests to your bar, excited to see (and sip) the "Magic Hour" for themselves. Your content not only captures attention but also transforms curiosity into foot traffic.
X (Formerly Twitter): Real-Time Engagement That Drives Buzz
Platform Stats: X (formerly Twitter) has 450 million active users, with a demographic that skews toward urban, educated professionals. It’s a fast-paced platform built for real-time conversations, quick updates, and witty engagement.
On X, timing and brevity are everything. Use it to announce specials, live-tweet events, or participate in trending conversations. A single, cleverly crafted tweet paired with a strong visual can capture attention and spark engagement. This platform thrives on personality, so don’t be afraid to let your brand’s voice shine—be it humorous, professional, or quirky.
Engage with your audience by replying to comments, retweeting guest posts, and joining in on local and global conversations. Guests love when businesses are approachable and responsive. Proactively engaging with food bloggers, influencers, and even competitors can position your restaurant as an active and connected part of the dining community.
X is also the perfect platform for building excitement around limited-time offers or events. Its fast-paced nature makes it ideal for creating a sense of urgency that drives foot traffic.
Using AI to Elevate Your X Strategy AI can help you stay on top of X’s fast-moving dynamics, ensuring your tweets are timely, relevant, and engaging without consuming too much of your day.
By using AI to handle the time-intensive aspects of X, you can focus on being creative and authentic in your real-time interactions.
Hypothetical Scenario: It’s National Cheeseburger Day, and you want to promote your signature burger. Using AI, you generate a tweet: “Because every day should be cheeseburger day ?? Celebrate National Cheeseburger Day with our signature [Burger Name]—available today only! #CheeseburgerDay.” AI also suggests a follow-up post for later in the day: “Last chance to get your hands on this beauty ??? Don’t miss out! #NationalCheeseburgerDay.”
During service, a guest tweets a photo of their burger with the caption, “This is the best cheeseburger I’ve ever had!” AI drafts a quick, friendly reply: “You just made our day! What’s your go-to side: fries or onion rings? ????”
After the event, AI analytics reveal that the tweets mentioning “National Cheeseburger Day” had the highest engagement. With this insight, you plan to amplify future food-related holidays by incorporating trending hashtags and timely promotions. The result? Packed tables and a flurry of online buzz that extends beyond the day.
LinkedIn: Your Corporate Connection
Platform Stats: LinkedIn boasts over 930 million users, with 49% of users in decision-making roles. It’s the go-to platform for connecting with professionals, businesses, and organizations, making it ideal for promoting your restaurant as a destination for corporate events, private dining, and team-building experiences.
LinkedIn is about professionalism and value. Share content that positions your restaurant as the perfect choice for business lunches, networking events, or executive dinners. Highlight the features that set you apart, such as private dining rooms, customizable menus, or AV-equipped spaces for presentations. Posts about your restaurant’s ability to accommodate large groups or host seamless events resonate strongly with LinkedIn’s audience.
Leverage LinkedIn’s potential for thought leadership. Share behind-the-scenes stories, team accomplishments, or insights into how your restaurant supports local businesses. These posts not only showcase your expertise but also build credibility and strengthen your professional network.
LinkedIn is also ideal for testimonials. Share positive reviews or success stories from past corporate clients to build trust and attract new bookings. Engaging with professionals and local businesses in your area can further expand your visibility and position your restaurant as a trusted partner for events.
Using AI to Elevate Your LinkedIn Strategy AI can simplify your LinkedIn efforts, helping you craft polished, professional posts that resonate with your audience and save you time.
By incorporating AI into your LinkedIn strategy, you can deliver impactful content efficiently, allowing you to focus on delivering exceptional experiences for your corporate clients.
Hypothetical Scenario: Your restaurant recently hosted a networking event for a local tech firm. Using AI, you craft a post: “Proud to have hosted [Tech Company Name] for an inspiring evening of networking and connection. From tailored menus to a sophisticated setting, we specialize in creating events that leave a lasting impression. Let us help you plan your next corporate gathering. #PrivateDining #EventPlanning.”
AI suggests an accompanying image: a beautifully set private dining table from the event, with soft candlelight and a personalized menu. Later in the week, AI analyzes post engagement and identifies that the hashtag #TeamEvents drove the most visibility. Based on this, it recommends creating follow-up content about your team-building packages.
As a bonus, AI helps draft a personalized message to send to attendees via LinkedIn, thanking them for their visit and inviting them to book future events. The result? A professionally crafted post, increased visibility, and strengthened relationships with corporate decision-makers—all with minimal effort.
YouTube: Turning Moments into Visual Stories
Platform Stats: YouTube has over 2.7 billion monthly active users, making it one of the largest platforms for sharing video content. The rise of YouTube Shorts (videos under 60 seconds) has transformed the platform into a hub for short, snackable content, perfect for capturing attention quickly and leaving a lasting impression.
YouTube isn’t just a video platform—it’s the second-largest search engine in the world and is owned by Google. This means your YouTube content can significantly enhance your discoverability through Google searches. A well-optimized YouTube video with the right keywords in its title, description, and tags can appear in Google search results, giving your restaurant additional visibility when potential guests are searching for dining options, experiences, or unique dishes in your area.
Use YouTube to highlight visually stunning moments that showcase your restaurant’s personality and culinary expertise. Shorts are ideal for quick, dramatic content like flambéed desserts or cocktail creations, while longer videos can tell a more comprehensive story about your restaurant’s mission, team, or seasonal offerings. By combining these formats and focusing on search engine optimization (SEO), you can bring in new audiences who may not have discovered you otherwise.
Using AI to Elevate Your YouTube Strategy and Boost Google Search Visibility AI tools can make your YouTube content creation seamless and ensure it’s optimized for both YouTube and Google search.
By integrating AI into your YouTube workflow, you can ensure that your content not only looks great but also performs well in search engines, driving more potential guests to your videos and, ultimately, your restaurant.
Hypothetical Scenario: You’re introducing a seasonal menu featuring locally sourced ingredients. Using AI, you create a 2-minute video titled: “Farm-to-Table Dining in [City Name] ?? Seasonal Specials at [Your Restaurant].” AI helps craft a search-friendly description: “Discover the flavors of the season with our farm-to-table menu. Featuring fresh, locally sourced ingredients, these dishes are available for a limited time. Reserve your table today! #FarmToTable #SeasonalDining.”
To optimize for search, AI identifies relevant tags like #LocalDining, #FreshIngredients, and #CityFoodScene. AI also creates an eye-catching thumbnail showing a beautifully plated dish with text that reads: “Seasonal & Local ??.”
Once uploaded, your video appears not only on YouTube but also in Google search results for queries like “best farm-to-table restaurants in [City Name]” or “seasonal dining near me.” The video garners views from locals searching for unique dining experiences, driving reservations and positioning your restaurant as a top dining destination.
The result? Enhanced online visibility, increased traffic to your website and reservation platform, and a broader audience captivated by your story—all with minimal effort thanks to AI-powered optimization.
Conclusion
Imagine your restaurant as a stage, where every dish, cocktail, and smile tells a story. Social media is your spotlight, casting those stories far and wide, reaching guests who might otherwise never know the magic of your venue. Whether it’s a beautifully shot Instagram Reel, a quirky TikTok that captures the heart of your team, or a thoughtful LinkedIn post that impresses corporate clients, each platform offers a unique way to connect, inspire, and bring people through your doors.
But here’s the kicker: you don’t have to do it all. Social media isn’t about being everywhere all the time—it’s about being where it matters most, in a way that feels authentic and sustainable for you and your team. By focusing on platform-specific strategies and using tools like AI to simplify the process, you can amplify your impact without adding to your workload. Social media doesn’t need to be a chore; it can be an extension of the passion and creativity that already define your restaurant.
So, here’s the challenge: what story will you tell today? Will you highlight your chef’s latest masterpiece, invite guests into the excitement of a bustling dining room, or tease an upcoming event with a hint of mystery? The possibilities are endless, and the tools are at your fingertips. The next time you scroll through your own feed, remember—you have the power to turn that scroll into a reservation, a fan, or a memory that lasts long after the meal is over. Now, go create something unforgettable.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR...
Kenneth Scharlatt is a leading consultant for transforming food & beverage operations within the hotel & resort industry. As a forward-thinking leader in the hotel food and beverage industry, Kenneth has dedicated himself to redefining traditional concepts and delivering innovative, guest-centric experiences that extend far beyond the property’s walls. Kenneth's visionary approach strikes the perfect balance between creating outlets that serve as exceptional guest amenities while also opening doors to the local community, turning properties into vibrant, must-visit destinations.
If your property is ready for a transformative, future-focused approach to food and beverage operations, Kenneth is here to help! Let's JUMP ON A CALL to find out how we can start the transition that your F&B operation deserves!
Strategic Partnerships at Reeco | Helping hotel management groups and owners save time and money with best-in-class Procure-to-Pay Technology and Customer Success
6 天前Thank you for sharing Kenneth Scharlatt. This is gold and aligns very well with the discussions this week at the BITAC Owners Meetings.
ARE YOU READY to bring a restauranteur mindset into your hotel’s food & beverage operation? ARE YOU READY to bring excitement, innovation & a game changing F&B experience for your hotel guests & the local community? ????
1 周If your hotel property is ready for a transformative, future-focused approach to food and beverage operations, LET’S JUMP ON A CALL! I would love to chat and find out how we can start the transition that your F&B operation deserves! https://calendly.com/kennethscharlatt/initial-consultation-chat
Senior Marketing Manager at IRIS Software Systems | Digital F&B ordering & hotel apps to drive revenue & enhance the guest experience |?Discover more at iris.net
1 周Some great tips here Kenneth to really help keep ahead of the competition ??
ARE YOU READY to bring a restauranteur mindset into your hotel’s food & beverage operation? ARE YOU READY to bring excitement, innovation & a game changing F&B experience for your hotel guests & the local community? ????
1 周Scot Turner | Michael Grove | John Carpenter | Simón de Swaan | Bryan Meredith | Monte Silva | Nicole Hayes | Tim McLucas | Linda Chelmow | Andrew Hopson, CHIA, CHT | Chris Ogboke | Bill Green | Tobias Cox | Mark A. Dombkoski | Jay Ashton ??????| Emir Dedic | Jason E. Brooks | Jeri Glyn | Domenic Pedulla | Declan Foyle | David Powell | Dana Foley-Taylor | Janelle Schwartz | Jason Carr | Dallas McNair | Michael Tipps | Mike Elliott | Caroline Gathagan | Amanda Lynne Leighton | Art Sutley | Phil Wills | Mia Mastroianni | Brian Duffy | Robert Irvine | Lindsay Autry | ???????? David "Rev" Ciancio | Alison Anne | Troy Hooper | Chip Klose, MBA | Bryan Rutcofsky | ???Zack Oates?? | Bruce Jordan | Jesse Caetano | Jesse Carr | Ruwan Silva | Jared Freedland | Marinette Melendez | Hima Duggirala | Steven Hoodack | Dallas Wynne | Roshen Fernando | Joseph Fisher | Samuel Stanovich ?? American Hotel & Lodging Association | The Hospitality Show | Bar & Restaurant Expo | Independent Hotel Show Miami | Questex | Exposition Development Company, Inc. -- ExpoDevCo | National Restaurant Association