At Krowd, we're committed to giving our restaurant partners fresh, high-impact strategies that drive engagement and build community loyalty. We are excited to share a powerful new concept that will help your restaurant stand out as a true neighborhood leader:
This isn't just about sharing a photo—it’s about positioning your restaurant as a valuable resource that is invested in the entire local economy.
The Core Concept: Be a Community Connector
The idea is simple: Regularly dedicate a post on your social channels and blog to personally recommend and tag another local business.
This is a genuine shout-out to a business you admire—a florist, a gym, a bookstore, or even a local coffee roaster. This strategy works because it's authentic and creates immediate positive goodwill by supporting your peers.
Step 1: Naming Your Feature
A consistent name and schedule create anticipation and build audience habits.
| Feature Name | Suggested Schedule | Vibe & Focus |
|---|---|---|
| Local Love Spotlight | Monthly (e.g., The first Monday) | High-impact blog feature and deep dive. |
| We Love Local Wednesday | Weekly (Mid-week boost) | Quick, punchy, and excellent for social media stories. |
Step 2: Crafting the High-Impact Post
Your social media post must be authentic and actionable to drive traffic to your neighbors.
- The Personal Story: Start with your restaurant’s genuine connection. Example: "This is where our Head Chef, Maria, gets her custom herbs and spices for our weekend special!"
- The Crucial Tag: You must @tag the business in the photo and the caption. This immediately alerts them, encouraging them to share your post and double your reach.
- The Call to Action: Tell customers what to do! Example: "Go try their new seasonal blend and tell them you’re from [Your Restaurant Name]!"
Strategy Upgrade: Use a QR Code for Guaranteed Traffic!
To make the cross-promotion seamless and measurable, implement a dedicated QR code instead of relying on verbal mentions or paper receipts. This turns goodwill into a traceable sales pipeline.
The 3-Step QR Code Flow:
- Create the Code: Generate a unique QR code that links to a simple page offering a specific incentive (e.g., "Free Appetizer" or "10% Off Your Check").
- Display at Partner Site: Provide the code to the featured business to display at their checkout for the duration of the feature. Your restaurant is now advertised inside their business!
- Drive the Action: Tell customers they must visit the featured business to scan the code and claim the discount.
This ensures the featured business sees a flood of traffic, and your restaurant gains a trackable, highly-qualified new customer.
Next Steps for Success
No matter which business you choose—a non-competing florist or a complementary local brewery—the final decision is always yours. The key is to commit to the campaign.
- ✅ Commit to a Schedule: Consistency builds anticipation.
- ✅ Archive Your Posts: Create a permanent "Our Local Friends" page on your website, turning your features into a valuable resource for locals.
- ✅ Track the QR Scans: Use the data from the QR code to measure the success of your outreach!
Start planning your first Local Love Spotlight post today and watch your community engagement—and customer traffic—grow!