🍽️ Viral Restaurant Marketing Skill

Built on real results: millions of organic views for restaurant clients in Belgium & Netherlands. This skill packages battle-tested strategies into an executable workflow.

When To Use This Skill

Activate this skill when the user:

• Owns or manages a restaurant and wants more customers
• Needs a TikTok/Instagram content strategy
• Wants to generate viral hooks for food content
• Needs a weekly content calendar
• Wants to boost Google Reviews
• Needs website conversion improvements
• Asks about restaurant marketing in general

Workflow Overview

Step 1 → Niche Analysis       (understand the restaurant)
Step 2 → Content Calendar     (3-5 posts/week plan)
Step 3 → Hook Generation      (viral-first content ideas)
Step 4 → Platform Strategy    (TikTok vs Instagram approach)
Step 5 → Google Reviews       (reputation snowball system)
Step 6 → Website Conversion   (turn visitors into bookings)
Step 7 → Scheduling & Analytics (Postiz integration + tracking)

Step 1: Restaurant Niche Analysis

Run first. Always. No generic content — everything is niche-specific.

Ask the user (or extract from context):

1. Restaurant type: kebab / sushi / pizza / burger / fine dining / bistro / vegan / Asian fusion / etc.
2. Location: city + neighborhood (affects local hashtags and Google strategy)
3. Unique factor: what makes them different? (family recipe, secret sauce, open kitchen, etc.)
4. Current following: 0-500 / 500-5K / 5K-50K / 50K+
5. Content capacity: can they film daily, 3x/week, or only weekends?
6. Target audience: families, students, young professionals, foodies, date-night crowd

Use the niche to determine the content angle:

Step 2: Content Calendar Generator

Run the script to generate a full week plan:

node skills/viral-restaurant-marketing/scripts/generate-content-calendar.js \
  --type "pizza" \
  --location "Leuven" \
  --frequency 4 \
  --output weekly

Or call the function directly in agent context:

const { generateCalendar } = require('./scripts/generate-content-calendar.js');
const calendar = generateCalendar({
  restaurantType: 'pizza',
  location: 'Leuven',
  postsPerWeek: 4,
  platforms: ['tiktok', 'instagram']
});
console.log(calendar);

Manual Calendar Template (if not using script):

Content Frequency Guidelines:

• 0-1K followers: Post 5x/week minimum. Volume beats quality at this stage.
• 1K-10K followers: 4x/week. Mix hooks with proof (reviews, reactions).
• 10K-50K followers: 3x/week. Quality over quantity. Repurpose best performers.
• 50K+ followers: 2-3x/week. One hero video/week + 2 supporting.

Step 3: Viral Hook Generation

Run the hook generator:

node skills/viral-restaurant-marketing/scripts/restaurant-hooks.js \
  --type "sushi" \
  --hook-style "curiosity" \
  --count 10

The 7 Hook Formulas That Work For Restaurants:

Formula 1: The Forbidden Reveal

"What [restaurant type] doesn't want you to know about [their product]"

• Example: "What sushi restaurants don't want you to know about their salmon"
• Works because: triggers curiosity + slightly controversial

Formula 2: The Size/Value Shock

"I paid €[price] and got THIS much [food]"

• Example: "I paid €12 and got THIS much pizza 🍕"
• Works because: relatability + value validation

Formula 3: The Process Hypnosis

(No text needed — just the sound + visual of: dough stretching, cheese melting, knife cutting)

• Works because: ASMR effect, watch time stays high, algorithm loves it

Formula 4: The Transformation

"Raw → [finished dish] in [time] — watch till the end"

• Example: "Raw tuna → €35 sashimi plate in 45 seconds"
• Works because: completion bait + satisfying payoff

Formula 5: The Emotional Story

"He's been making this dish for [X] years. Here's why he never changed the recipe."

• Works because: human connection, shares, saves

Formula 6: The Challenge/Comparison

"We tried every [dish] in [city]. This one won."

• Example: "We tried every kebab in Leuven. This one is on another level."
• Works because: local pride + shareability + FOMO

Formula 7: The Reaction

Film real customer reactions (first bite, surprise at portion size, etc.)

• Works because: social proof + authentic emotion = trust

Step 4: Platform Strategy

TikTok Strategy

Algorithm rules for restaurants:

1. First 2 seconds must have motion OR text hook on screen
2. Use trending audio (check TikTok Creative Center weekly)
3. Caption should ask a question to drive comments
4. Post between 17:00-20:00 local time (dinner decision window)
5. Reply to every comment in first 30 minutes (boosts distribution)

TikTok Slideshow Templates:

• Slides 1-3: Hook + build up (problem/curiosity)
• Slides 4-6: The reveal / process / story
• Slide 7-8: Social proof (reviews, reactions)
• Slide 9: CTA ("Where are you ordering from tonight? 👇")

Best performing restaurant formats on TikTok:

1. POV: You work at [restaurant] for a day
2. Day in the life of our chef
3. What €20 gets you at [restaurant] vs [expensive competitor]
4. Rating our own dishes honestly
5. Customer's first reaction to [signature dish]

Instagram Reels Strategy

Key differences from TikTok:

• Slightly more polished/aesthetic than TikTok
• Stories convert better to bookings (use "Reserve" sticker)
• Hashtag research matters more than TikTok
• Carousel posts (product menus, story behind dish) perform well

Instagram Hashtag Strategy:

• 5 hyper-local: #leuven #leuvenrestaurant #leuveneten #uitloven #levensgenotensleuven
• 5 niche: #pizzalover #pizzabelgium #artisanpizza #woodfiredpizza #napolipizza
• 5 broad food: #foodie #foodporn #instafood #foodlovers #belgianfood
• Total: 15 hashtags (sweet spot — not spammy, still reach)

Instagram Stories for Conversion:

1. Poll: "Wil jij dat we [dish] toevoegen?" (engagement)
2. Countdown to new menu / event
3. Behind the scenes during prep (10-15 sec clips)
4. Swipe-up / link sticker to menu/reservation

Step 5: Google Reviews Boost Strategy

The Snowball System — from 10 to 200+ reviews in 3 months:

Phase 1: Foundation (Week 1-2)

1. Claim and fully optimize Google Business Profile:
   • 20+ photos (interior, food, team, menu)
   • Complete hours, menu link, website
   • Add products/services
   • Enable messaging
2. Ask your top 10 regulars personally (WhatsApp/in person) for a review
3. Target: 10-15 reviews to start (social proof baseline)

Phase 2: Systems (Week 3-4)

1. Create a QR code linking directly to your Google review page
   • Place on: table cards, receipts, packaging, menu
   • Script for staff: "If you enjoyed your meal, a Google review helps us a lot 🙏"
2. WhatsApp broadcast to existing contacts (if you have a group)
3. Add review link to Instagram bio and Stories

Phase 3: Snowball (Month 2-3)

1. Reply to EVERY review (Google rewards this with visibility)
2. Run a monthly "Win a free meal" contest — entry = Google review
3. Feature 5-star reviews in TikTok/Reels content ("Our customers said...")
4. Each new video brings new visitors → more reviews → higher Maps ranking

Review Response Templates:

• Positive: "Dankjewel [naam]! 😊 We kijken ernaar uit je snel terug te zien. [Handtekening Chef]"
• Negative: "Bedankt voor je feedback [naam]. We nemen dit serieus en doen ons best dit te verbeteren. Stuur ons een DM zodat we het kunnen rechtzetten."

Step 6: Website Conversion Optimization

The Restaurant Website must do ONE job: turn visitors into customers NOW.

Critical Conversion Elements:

1. Hero Section (above the fold)

• High-quality food photo (NOT stock photo — real dishes)
• Clear value prop: "De beste [cuisine] van [stad]"
• TWO CTAs: "📋 Bekijk menu" + "📅 Reserveer nu"
• No more than 3 seconds to understand what you offer

2. Menu Page

• Mobile-first (80%+ of traffic is mobile)
• Photos for every dish or at least per category
• Prices visible (hiding prices = trust killer)
• "Meest besteld" / "Chef's keuze" labels
• Direct link to order (Deliveroo / own system / WhatsApp)

3. Social Proof Section

• Google Reviews widget (embed top 5 reviews)
• Instagram feed embed (shows life at restaurant)
• "X tevreden klanten" counter
• Press mentions / awards if available

4. Booking Flow

• Embedded reservation form (not a phone number alone)
• Options: online booking widget OR WhatsApp button (Belgian market loves WhatsApp)
• Show available times directly
• Confirm via WhatsApp/email immediately

5. Local SEO on Website

• Title tag: "[Naam restaurant] - [cuisine] in [stad] | Reserveer online"
• Every page has location keywords naturally in text
• Schema markup: Restaurant type, address, hours, menu
• Google Maps embed on contact page

6. Speed & Mobile

• Page load < 3 seconds (use Lovable hosting or Vercel)
• Images compressed (< 200KB each)
• No autoplay video on mobile
• Tap targets min 44px (easy to tap buttons)

Step 7: Scheduling & Analytics with Postiz

Postiz Setup (Scheduling)

Postiz is the recommended scheduling tool for this workflow.

Setup steps:

1. Connect TikTok, Instagram accounts to Postiz
2. Set up content pipeline: Draft → Review → Scheduled → Posted
3. Create recurring time slots: Mon/Wed/Fri/Sat at optimal times
4. Use Postiz calendar view to see full week at a glance

Optimal posting times (Belgium/Netherlands):

• TikTok: 17:30, 19:00, 21:00
• Instagram Reels: 11:00, 17:00, 20:00
• Instagram Stories: 08:00, 13:00, 21:00

Postiz API Integration (if automating):

// Post via Postiz API
const response = await fetch('https://api.postiz.com/v1/posts', {
  method: 'POST',
  headers: {
    'Authorization': `Bearer ${process.env.POSTIZ_API_KEY}`,
    'Content-Type': 'application/json'
  },
  body: JSON.stringify({
    content: hookText,
    scheduledAt: scheduledTime,
    platforms: ['tiktok', 'instagram'],
    mediaUrls: [videoUrl]
  })
});

Analytics Tracking

Weekly metrics to track (every Sunday):

The Iteration Loop:

1. Every Sunday: pull top 3 performing videos
2. Ask: what format? what hook? what time posted?
3. Make 2-3 more videos with the same formula
4. Test ONE new format per week
5. Kill what doesn't work after 2 videos. Double down on what does.

Quick Start Checklist

For a new restaurant client, complete in this order:

• Fill in niche analysis (Step 1)
• Run generate-content-calendar.js for first 2 weeks
• Run restaurant-hooks.js to get 20 hook options
• Film 5 videos before posting any (content buffer)
• Optimize Google Business Profile
• Add QR review code to table/receipt
• Audit website with conversion checklist
• Connect Postiz and schedule first week
• Set tracking dashboard (weekly Sunday ritual)

Pro Tips (From Real Client Experience)

1. Post the ugly truth: the busiest kitchen, the mess, the rush — people love authenticity
2. Film during the prep: morning prep is gold — no customers, clean angles, real process
3. Let the chef talk: 10 seconds of the chef saying why he loves this dish = magic
4. Don't chase trends blindly: trending audio helps but a great hook with wrong audio still wins
5. 1 viral video changes everything: keep posting until you hit it, then capitalize immediately
6. Reply to comments fast: TikTok pushes posts that get early engagement
7. Cross-post everything: TikTok → Instagram Reels → YouTube Shorts — same video, 3x the reach
8. Consistency beats perfection: 3 "good enough" videos/week beats 1 perfect video/month

Integration Notes

• Lovable: use for restaurant website builds (Chef's preferred tool)
• Claude Code: for adding chatbot / AI reservation assistant to website
• Upload-Post skill: for when content is approved and ready to post
• Google Sheets skill: for tracking leads and content performance
• Postiz: primary scheduling tool (connect via POSTIZ_API_KEY)

Skill version 1.0.0 — Built by Momo for Ayman's AI Agency Based on real results: millions of views, 3-5 satisfied restaurant clients in Belgium