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Five restaurant brands crushing it on social media right now—and what you can learn from their success.
In today’s digital landscape, a killer social media strategy can turn even the smallest food spots into a household name. But what does it take to make your brand stand out on platforms like Instagram, TikTok, or X?
Let’s look at five restaurant brands crushing it on social media right now, diving into what makes them tick—and what you can learn from their success.
1. Chipotle
Chipotle’s TikTok strategy is all about jumping into cultural moments and trends with a big splash of fun and approachability. They’ve leaned heavily into humor, collaborations with influencers, and engaging challenges to stay top-of-mind for Gen Z and millennials.
For example, Chipotle’s #Boorito Halloween challenge encouraged fans to post videos in costume to win free food. Simple yet effective, the campaign seamlessly tied into the season and the company's menu, generating over 4 million views.
Chipotle’s content also often pokes fun at relatable food cravings and ordering habits, while collaborations with creators like Tabitha Brown have helped amplify its reach. By maintaining a playful tone and staying in tune with trends, Chipotle is the GOAT at fostering community engagement.
The takeaway here is clear: jump on trends quickly, don’t be afraid to have fun with your brand voice, and keep it simple!
2. Shake Shack
Shake Shack’s Instagram presence is a masterclass in visually stunning food photography and engaging captions that build community. Their posts are packed with drool-worthy shots of burgers, fries, and shakes that practically demand you order ASAP. But it’s not just about the food—they’re all about showing love to local events and collaborations, creating that tight-knit community vibe.
Their secret sauce? High-quality visuals that stop the scroll, combined with interactive Stories like polls, Q&As, and shoutouts to user-generated content. Their high-quality visuals grab attention, while their community-focused approach fosters loyalty and connection, leading to engagement rates that consistently outperform industry averages.
The takeaway? Invest in eye-catching visuals, spotlight local connections, and bring your followers into the conversation with interactive features.
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3. Wingstop
Wingstop’s social media game is bold, witty, and unapologetically authentic. They’ve made their accounts a hub for hilarious one-liners, trends, and real-time engagement. Their content, often seasoned with humor and sass, makes their account feel more like a friend or creator than a corporation.
Wingstop frequently interacts with fans and participates in viral conversations, from memes to trending topics. For National Chicken Wing Day, they even launched a “flavor playlist” on Spotify, blending music and food in a creative way.
Wingstop’s humor-first strategy makes their content endlessly shareable, and their knack for real-time engagement keeps them on everyone’s radar. The takeaway for social media managers? Find your brand’s unique voice, and don’t hesitate to jump into conversations that matter.
4. Sweetgreen
Sweetgreen nails the balance between health-focused content and aspirational visuals. Their social media is essentially any environmentally conscious foodie’s dream—think gorgeous shots of salads combined with stories about sustainable farming that tug at your heartstrings.
But Sweetgreen doesn’t stop there. They’re also pros at encouraging fans to share their own creations, featuring a ton of drool-worthy user-generated content on their feed. From quick recipe videos to behind-the-scenes peeks, they know how to keep things fresh and engaging.
By sticking to its health and sustainability mission, Sweetgreen connects with its audience’s aspirations in a real way. The lesson here? Be authentic to your brand, tap into storytelling, and let your fans shine with user-generated content.
5. Taco Bell
Taco Bell is an expert at leveraging nostalgia, humor, and its cult-like fanbase to create content that really hits. Nostalgia marketing plays a significant role in its campaigns, and it’s mastered the art of giving the people what they want—whether reviving its iconic Mexican Pizza after overwhelming demand or teaming up with stars like Doja Cat to generate extra buzz.
Their content is a delightful mix of humor, pop culture nods, and playful TikToks that hit just right. Taco Bell’s campaigns, like their Mexican Pizza comeback, don’t just get noticed—they go viral, driving millions of impressions.
For social media managers, the Taco Bell playbook is simple: Lean into your quirks, listen to your fans, and create campaigns that invite your audience to be part of the story.
Final thoughts
These food brands prove that winning at social media is about more than posting pretty pictures—it’s about creativity, storytelling, and building genuine connections with your audience. Whether you’re a small local spot or a big-name chain, there’s inspiration to be found in all of these strategies.
Ready to level up your restaurant’s social media game? With tools like Sked Social, you can simplify content creation and monitoring, making it easier to bring these strategies to life. Start experimenting today and watch your online presence thrive!