Facebook Marketing For Restaurants: How To Set Up and Promote Your Profile To Drive More Orders

With 3.07 billion monthly active users, Facebook remains one of the most powerful tools available to reach nearby hungry customers.

If you’re a restaurant operator trying to drive more online orders, build loyalty, or simply get noticed, an active Facebook Page can help you show up where your customers already spend time. The key is knowing how to set it up and what to post to turn views into orders.

In this article, you will learn:

1. How to fully optimize your Facebook Page for visibility and trust
2. What kind of content gets diners to order and come back
3. How to use Facebook ads to reach more local customers

Why Facebook Still Matters For Restaurant Marketing

It’s easy to assume newer social media platforms like Instagram and TikTok have taken over, but Facebook is still a powerhouse, especially for restaurants.

With billions of Facebook users worldwide and millions of people searching for where to eat, your target audience is likely already using the app to browse nearby restaurants.

One of the biggest advantages of Facebook is its ability to build trust. A well-maintained Facebook Page filled with real-time updates, glowing reviews, and delicious photos helps your restaurant stand out and feel more legit to first-time visitors.

This real-time credibility plays a big role in getting someone to choose your restaurant over another.

Staying active also keeps your restaurant top of mind. The more consistent you are with posts and comments, the more likely customers are to engage, share, and remember your restaurant when hunger strikes.

You’re not starting a Facebook account because it’s trendy—you’re doing it because that’s where your customers spend their time.

Next, let’s walk through how to build a Facebook Page that drives more online orders.

Set Up A Facebook Page That Works For Your Restaurant

To build an effective restaurant Facebook Page, start by choosing the right page category, filling out all your business details, and linking to your direct online ordering page instead of third-party apps. This ensures your customers get accurate info fast and more orders go straight to you.

1. Go to facebook.com/pages/create to get started

After you’ve signed up, go to Create a Page and choose “Business or Brand” as your Page type, then enter your restaurant’s name and select the most relevant category (typically, “Local Business,” “Restaurant,” or a specific cuisine like “Pizza Place.”

This helps Facebook users find you more easily when they search for restaurants.

2. Fill out every section completely

Add your hours, address, phone number, and a short but punchy description in the “About” section.

Make sure your info is always accurate—it’s frustrating for potential customers to call the wrong number or show up when you’re closed—plus, consistently accurate business information is great for local SEO.

3. Use high-quality visuals that reflect your brand

Upload a clear, recognizable logo for your profile image and a cover photo that shows off your food or space. These visuals are often the first thing new users see, so keep them fresh and on-brand.

4. Link to your website and direct ordering page

Add direct links to your restaurant website and online ordering page—not a third-party delivery service.

This keeps your profits in-house and encourages repeat customers to come directly to you for their next order.

Add Online Ordering Tools That Convert

Once your Facebook Page is set up, your next move is to turn it into a real sales channel. Add online ordering tools that make it seamless for diners to order directly without bouncing to another app or platform. The easier you make it, the more likely they are to follow through.

Set a clear call-to-action button

At the top of your Page, you should see a button like “Edit Action Button” or “Add Action Button.” Click it and choose a straightforward CTA like “Order Now” or “Start Order.”

Link your CTA button to your online ordering platform

Your call to action (CTA) button should link directly to your preferred ordering platform—ideally, your own online ordering system that keeps money flowing directly to you and not a third-party app.

Using your own system not only keeps more money in your pocket, it also gives you more control over the guest experience and builds loyalty with your existing customers.

Pin a post that drives orders

Create a simple post that explains how to order directly and pin it to the top of your Page.

Include a photo of your most popular dish, the online ordering link, and a quick value prop (like “Skip the fees—order direct!”). This makes it the first thing new visitors see.

Post Content That Promotes Your Brand, Ordering, And Loyalty

The most effective Facebook posts for restaurants highlight your food, team, and story to build trust and drive orders. Share behind-the-scenes content, promote popular menu items, and spotlight your loyalty program to keep diners engaged and coming back. When done well, your content helps diners feel like they already know your staff, love your food, and trust your restaurant enough to come in or place an order online.

Here’s how to do that.

Show off the people and personality behind your brand

Creating engaging content means being authentic and showing up like a real person, not a polished brand machine.

Post behind-the-scenes videos, team spotlights, and food prep clips to humanize your restaurant and build an emotional connection.

These kinds of video posts help boost organic reach and tend to get stronger engagement rates. You don’t need a fancy camera, just keep it real and relatable.

Highlight your menu and your fans

Use your posts to show off new menu items, fan favorites, or seasonal specials. Repost customer photos, share positive reviews, and celebrate shoutouts.

User-generated content not only fills your content calendar, it also gives new diners social proof that your restaurant is worth trying. Plus, customers get excited seeing their own pics or videos being used by a restaurant they love.

Promote your loyalty program

If you have a loyalty program, mention it often in your posts so customers, new and old, are aware of it.

Let guests know how to join, what they’ll get out of it, and how they can earn rewards for online orders. This keeps existing customers coming back and new ones a reason to join.

Keep it consistent but manageable

Aim for 2-3 posts per week with strong visuals (pics or videos), short captions, and a clear purpose—meaning what is the goal of the post?

• Engagement
• Brand awareness
• Driving sales

You don’t have to post daily to see results, but you do have to stay consistent.

How To Use Facebook Ads To Reach More Local Diners

Here’s the truth: Facebook doesn’t have great organic reach—at just 1.20%, it has the lowest organic reach of all the social media platforms.

That said, it’s still vitally important to post on your Page because potential customers often use it as a source of information to learn more about your brand.

However, if you want to consistently reach new diners (and stay visible in their feeds), you need to pair your organic content with smart, local Facebook advertising.

With even a small budget, you can run ads that promote your best posts, spotlight your most popular food items, and drive more online orders from nearby Facebook users.

Here’s how to use Facebook ads.

Start with a simple campaign objective

Facebook Ads Manager is Meta’s all-in-one tool for creating and managing paid campaigns. It lets you control your audience targeting, budget, creative assets, and performance metrics so you can run smarter ads that reach more nearby diners without wasting ad spend.

In Facebook Ads Manager, choose a campaign objective that aligns with your goal, whether that’s:

• Driving online orders
• Getting more followers
• Building awareness for a new branded mobile app

Keeping it focused helps the algorithm work in your favor.

Target the right local audience

Use Facebook Ads Manager to target people near your restaurant by ZIP code, city, or neighborhood.

You can go even further by narrowing it down by age, food interest, or behaviors. For example, if you want to target families who love tacos within 5 miles of your shop, you can do that.

Promote your best-performing content

Not every ad needs to be made from scratch. If you’ve posted something that got high engagement rates—a menu teaser, a behind-the-scenes video, or a glowing customer review—boost it.

These kinds of restaurant Facebook ads already have traction and can be a smart way to get more mileage from content that’s proven to resonate.

Test different ad formats

Try out carousel ads to showcase multiple food items, or use single-image ads for a clean, direct message. If you have the time and editing skills, use video ads to show a dish being plated, share your team in action, or give a quick kitchen tour—anything that helps diners feel like they’re already there.

You don’t need a massive budget to make restaurant Facebook ads work; you just need the right combo of targeting, timing, and content.

Next, we’ll show you how to stay consistent with your Facebook marketing, without it taking over your schedule.

Stay Consistent Without Spending Hours Online

Don’t feel like you need to post every day or hire a social media manager to see results from Facebook marketing.

With a little planning, you can stay active, relevant, and engaging without being glued to your phone all day.

Batch and schedule your content

Set aside one day each week to create and schedule your posts using a free scheduling tool like Meta’s content calendar (here are the links to do this via mobile or desktop).

Planning in batches helps you stay organized and ensures your restaurant’s Facebook presence stays active even when you’re busy running the rest of your restaurant.

Repurpose content across social media platforms 

You don’t need to start from scratch every time. Reuse strong photos, customer quotes, or promotions across Facebook, Instagram, and email. A quick tweak to a caption or format turns one piece of high-quality content into three.

Automate where it makes sense, but stay human

Turn on auto-replies for Messenger so customers get quick responses to common questions. Then set a daily routine for checking comments and messages.

Diners notice and dislike it when replies are obviously from a bot, so you’ll still need to interact with customers daily. Fast, human replies boost engagement rates and show diners you’re active and attentive.

Make Facebook a Sales Channel, Not Just a Social One

With the right setup and strategy, your Facebook Page can drive real online orders, not just likes and comments. Focus on visibility, ease of ordering, and consistent posting, and you’ll turn casual scrollers into loyal customers.

Contact ChowNow to learn how you can guide diners to your Direct Online Ordering System using Facebook marketing.

Facebook Marketing for Restaurants Frequently Asked Questions

What kind of content performs best on a restaurant’s Facebook Page?

The best performing Facebook content for restaurants is short, visual and authentic. Think short videos of food being prepared, behind-the-scenes moments, new menu items, and user-generated content like happy customer photos. These posts build trust, showcase your personality, and boost engagement. Posts that invite engagement—like polls or questions—can also help boost your organic reach.

How often should I post on Facebook?

Aim for 2–3 posts per week with strong visuals and a clear purpose, such as driving sales or engagement. You don’t need to post every day to see results, but consistency matters. Regular updates keep your Facebook Page active and show potential customers that your restaurant is open, engaged, and worth checking out.

Is it worth it to boost posts or run ads?

Yes. Boosted posts help restaurants reach more diners, promote top content, and drive more direct online orders—even with a small budget They’re especially useful for increasing visibility for specials, events, or your loyalty program. If you’re looking to grow beyond your current followers, running ads is one of the most effective ways to do it.

Just make sure you set a clear campaign objective so you can track results.

How can I tell if my Facebook marketing is working?

The best way to measure Facebook marketing performance is by tracking engagement, traffic, and orders driven by your posts and ads. Use Facebook Ads Manager and Page Insights to monitor

• Reach and impressions
• Clicks and comments
• Website visits and direct orders
• Loyalty program signups

These metrics help you understand whether your content is driving awareness, engagement, and sales.

Read our article, How to Measure and Improve Restaurant Marketing ROI to learn more.

Can I manage Facebook and Instagram together?

Yes! You can connect your Facebook and Instagram platforms through Meta Business Suite, which allows you to schedule posts, run cross-platform ads, and manage messages all in one place.

It’s a great way to keep your content calendar organized and maximize your reach with less effort.