Choose the commercial objective first
Lunch covers, midweek dinner, private dining, events, delivery and new-site awareness require different campaigns. Ask the agency which empty capacity or revenue opportunity it is trying to influence. “Grow engagement” is too vague for a restaurant ready to spend.
Check whether direct booking is measurable
If your booking engine sits on a third-party platform, ask how attribution works. The agency should explain what it can and cannot measure, rather than presenting every website click as a reservation.
Compare content operations, not just posting frequency
| Area | Question |
|---|---|
| Photography/video | Who captures fresh food, venue and team assets? |
| Approvals | How are menus, offers and event details checked? |
| Community | Who handles comments and messages, and when? |
| Local search | Is Google Business Profile part of the scope? |
| Paid media | Are creative, targeting, tracking and media spend separated? |
Multi-site restaurants need location-level reporting
If you operate several venues, insist on clarity about which site receives spend and results. A strong overall number can hide a weak location. Local pages, profiles, offers and campaigns should reflect real differences between venues.
Ask how the agency handles promotions
Discount-led campaigns can fill seats but may not be the right long-term strategy. The provider should understand margin, capacity and repeat behaviour before recommending constant offers.
Own the audience you are building
Social platforms and delivery marketplaces are useful, but ask how the strategy strengthens direct channels too, such as your website, booking data and opted-in email audience where appropriate.
Comparing restaurant marketing agencies?
Review Kydos social and wider marketing scope alongside your shortlist.
See social media servicesFrequently asked questions
Should a restaurant agency include content creation?
Clarify capture, editing, copy, approvals and posting rather than assuming “management” includes all production.
Can bookings be tracked?
Often partly or fully, depending on your booking technology and analytics setup.
Should Google Business Profile be managed?
For local discovery it can be important, so confirm whether it is included.
Do we need paid social?
Only if the audience, offer, geography and economics justify it.
What about multiple locations?
Ask for location-level strategy and reporting rather than blended totals only.
Should we prioritise followers?
Follower growth can support reach, but bookings and commercially useful actions are stronger decision metrics.