In meals and beverage advertising, influencer collaborations have gone from a enjoyable experiment to a powerhouse technique. In reality, the influencer advertising business is predicted to hit a jaw-dropping $32.55 billion globally in 2025, and the meals sector is serving up some severely spectacular numbers. In reality, 63.8% of manufacturers plan to associate with influencers this 12 months.
So, yeah, it’s protected to say that influencers are extra than simply fairly faces—they’re a driving power within the restaurant world.
However what’s behind this surge? Properly, it isn’t nearly partnering with anybody who’s bought a giant following. Micro-influencers (these with 10K-100K followers) are taking middle stage, providing extra genuine, relatable content material that actually resonates with native audiences. Throw in some strategic partnerships, and you have got a recipe for achievement.
Simply ask Chipotle, whose collaboration with TikTok stars Alexis Frost and Keith Lee made their fajita quesadilla launch a scorching hit.
@keith_lee125 Replying to @chipotle #ChipotlePartner Chipotle Story time with @Alexis Frost 💕 Would you attempt it in March? 💕 #quesadillahack #foodcritic ♬ original sound – Keith Lee
By listening to fan requests and dealing intently with influencers, Chipotle introduced a TikTok hack to life, creating a brand new menu merchandise and producing large gross sales. The outcomes have been simple: 34 million social impressions, 3.7 million social engagements, and two of Chipotle’s high digital gross sales days ever.
This text will discover the highest eating places and cafes influencer advertising campaigns, showcasing how strategic partnerships are reworking the business.
1. Flipping the Script: Simple Avenue Burgers’ Recipe for Success with Influencer Energy
Simple Avenue Burgers, the standard family-owned gem nestled in Studio Metropolis, Los Angeles, has confirmed that a terrific burger can go a great distance — particularly when it is served with a aspect of influencer magic. By strategically teaming up with TikTok titans Keith Lee and Cardi B, the restaurant cooked up a campaign that not solely ignited a social media frenzy but additionally turned their foot visitors right into a parade.
Here is a breakdown of how they did it.
Marketing campaign Temporary and Strategic Method
The objective was easy: drive model consciousness and flood the restaurant with prospects. Simple Avenue knew the best way to folks’s hearts was via their stomachs — and influencer-driven TikTok content was the recipe.
By aligning with TikTok stars whose audiences mirrored the restaurant’s goal demographic, the marketing campaign delivered genuine, high-engagement content material. Consider it as discovering the proper pairing for a nice wine, besides the wine had an enormous social media following and the steak was a juicy burger.
Influencers Concerned
- Keith Lee: Keith is to meals evaluations what Beyoncé is to music. When he gave Simple Avenue a glowing assessment, the outcomes have been instantaneous — lengthy strains and a military of burger followers swarming the restaurant. It’s protected to say Lee’s endorsement wasn’t only a assessment; it was a VIP go to the burger capital of LA.
- Cardi B: The rapper’s involvement took issues up a notch. Cardi isn’t only a chart-topping artist; she’s a cultural power. Her collaboration didn’t simply increase the restaurant’s native recognition however gave it nationwide consideration. It was like including a sprinkle of glitter to a terrific burger – instantly, everybody wished a style.
Strategic Instruments and Platforms
TikTok was the key sauce of this marketing campaign. The platform’s viral nature, mixed with high-quality video content material showcasing mouthwatering burgers, ensured that viewers weren’t simply watching — they have been dashing to attempt the meals themselves. It’s the modern-day equal of seeing an influencer’s selfie and instantly heading to the shop to seize no matter they’re carrying… however with burgers.
Key Outcomes and ROI
What’s the easiest way to gauge a marketing campaign’s success? Simply ask the lengthy strains of burger lovers! After Keith Lee’s endorsement, Simple Avenue noticed its foot visitors soar, with a surge in each native and out-of-state prospects. Cardi B’s involvement upped the ante, leading to a 25% income increase, following Keith’s 100% spike.
The ultimate tally? A marketing campaign ROI that speaks for itself — if solely their burger-flipping abilities have been as worthwhile as their social media technique.
2. Pizza, Influencers, and a Entire Lot of Sizzle: Talespin’s Secret Sauce for Success
On the subject of pizza, the correct mix of flavors could make all of the distinction. However in relation to influencer marketing, the correct mix of influencers can flip a pizzeria from “hidden gem” to a full-blown native sensation. Talespin Pizza in Houston proved this with their deliciously executed campaign, which resulted in a surge in each model consciousness and gross sales.
Let’s take a slice-by-slice have a look at what made this marketing campaign so irresistible.
Marketing campaign Overview and Strategic Method:
Talespin Pizza’s marketing campaign aimed to serve up a piping sizzling portion of consciousness and gross sales—two of probably the most highly effective elements for any native enterprise. The pizzeria strategically partnered with native food influencers to highlight its distinctive “Neo-Texan” pizzas.
The influencers, together with the ever-popular Shawn Singh and Thanh “Wayne” Dang, tapped into their massive Houston-based followings to share their genuine experiences with Talespin’s pizzas. Consider it because the digital equal of word-of-mouth marketing however with a aspect of #FoodP*rn.
Key Outcomes:
The outcomes have been, effectively, fairly tasty. After influencer evaluations hit the digital streets, Talespin’s pizzas grew to become the speak of the city. The demand was so overwhelming that the pizzeria offered out by 4:30 p.m. on the identical day—and this wasn’t only a one-time surge.
They have been promoting as much as 300 pizzas each day. Discuss a dough-terrific win. The marketing campaign not solely drove visitors to the pizzeria, however it additionally led to an explosion of likes, shares, and feedback throughout Instagram and TikTok, offering the proper recipe for rising a loyal buyer base.
Technique That Served Up the Hype
Talespin Pizzeria didn’t simply toss their marketing campaign into the social media void — they served it with precision. By teaming up with native meals influencers who truly knew their approach round Houston’s eating scene, the model ensured their message landed proper the place it mattered: within the feeds (and stomachs) of actual meals lovers.
Instagram introduced the drool-worthy visuals, whereas TikTok delivered the viral magic — with creator Shawn pulling in over 13,500 likes on a single submit. And because of clear, constant messaging throughout the board, the content material felt unified however by no means compelled. Native, daring, and completely crave-worthy — similar to the pizza.
3. Crumbl Cookies’ Candy Social Media Technique: The TikTok Cookie Crumble That Took Over
Crumbl Cookies is not simply baking up a storm with their rotating weekly menu—they’re crafting the way forward for dessert advertising, and it’s all occurring on TikTok. From ice cream-inspired treats to viral taste unveilings, Crumbl has turned its cookies into greater than only a snack—they’re a social media sensation.
Marketing campaign Breakdown: Candy, Savory, and Strategic
Crumbl’s marketing strategy revolves round conserving the cookie sport recent with a rotating menu of flavors that retains folks coming again for extra. TikTok is their stage of alternative, the place they showcase new flavors with participating movies that do not simply inform you in regards to the cookies—they make you crave them.
Excessive-quality visuals, sluggish pans, and ASMR-worthy cookie photographs resonate with Gen Z, whereas tapping into trending TikTok challenges increase engagement and shareability. The end result? 71.4 million impressions—77% above expectations—and a strong 311.8K engagements. Not dangerous for just a few cookies, huh?
Influencers: Numerous, Genuine, and Deliciously Efficient
Reasonably than sticking to the standard meals influencer pool, Crumbl thought exterior the cookie jar. They tapped into a variety of creators from dance lovers to trend influencers and even celebs like former Bachelor contestants, guaranteeing they join with numerous audiences.
However the magic didn’t cease there—they inspired user-generated content, turning prospects into model advocates. The hashtag #CrumblCookies now boasts a whopping 3.4 billion views on TikTok, with a 9% engagement price. That is not only a marketing campaign—it is a motion.
@janemukbangs 8/12 Crumbl Cookies of the week! 🩷⭐️🍪 #crumblcookies #crumblcookiesoftheweek #cookies #mukbang #fypシ゚viral #review ♬ original sound – janemukbangs 😚
Instruments and Platforms: TikTok, Instagram, and the Energy of Brief-Type Movies
TikTok is Crumbl’s golden ticket, with short-form videos that align with platform tendencies and are tailored for the Gen Z viewers. However don’t sleep on their Instagram and Fb efforts both. Constant, high-quality content material throughout platforms retains the dialog flowing and the cravings alive.
Outcomes: Cookie Cravings, Larger Engagement
Crumbl’s ROI is simple. The marketing campaign generated not solely spectacular impressions and engagement but additionally strong follower progress—9.6 million on TikTok alone. That’s a candy spot that even their opponents can’t appear to crack. And let’s not overlook user-generated content material. It’s clear that Crumbl’s followers aren’t simply consuming their cookies—they’re ensuring the world is aware of about them, one TikTok at a time.
4. Chili’s Sizzles on Social: How Mischief Made It Cool Once more
Chili’s Grill & Bar, identified for its informal eating attraction, wanted a recent recipe to win over the elusive Gen Z crowd. The answer? A mix of social media savvy, influencer partnerships, and viral meals challenges—served piping sizzling.
By leaning into platforms like TikTok and Instagram, Chili’s reinvented its model character, going from old-school to the lifetime of the digital occasion. And in relation to influencer-driven success, this campaign is certainly within the “chef’s kiss” class.
Strategic Method Highlights:
To win over Gen Z — the gang that virtually lives on TikTok and runs on sarcasm and iced espresso — Chili’s wanted extra than simply bottomless chips. They wanted a vibe shift. And that’s precisely what they delivered.
By diving headfirst into social platforms like TikTok and Instagram, Chili’s gave its model a digital glow-up. The objective was clear: make Chili’s cool once more. And because of a intelligent mixture of influencer partnerships, viral meals challenges, and unapologetically enjoyable content material, the model pulled off a full-on rebrand with out shedding its laid-back allure.
The outcomes? Let’s simply say the web ate it up — actually. Engagement charges jumped, follower counts took off like a trending sound, and people featured menu gadgets? Flying off the tables. Chili’s went from “your mother and father’ go-to dinner spot” to “the place Gen Z is posting about at 11 p.m.” That’s not simply advertising — that’s a full-course comeback.
Execution: Influencers: The Spice of the Marketing campaign
Mischief, the creative agency behind the magic, used social listening tools to establish trending matters, guaranteeing the marketing campaign wasn’t simply one other scroll-through. Enter the Triple Dipper—a humble appetizer that grew to become TikTok royalty due to influencers who knew how one can serve relatable, snackable content material.
Reasonably than chasing big-name celebs, Chili’s properly partnered with micro-influencers who might join authentically with their followers. This wasn’t about flashy endorsements; it was about actual folks making the model really feel just like the enjoyable, no-frills dinner possibility all of us crave.
@keilapacheco CHILIS NEW SECRET MENU ITEM!!🌶️NASHVILLE HOT FRIED MOZZARELLA🔥😋These have been so good!❤️#chilis #chilispartner #menuhacks #chilissecretmenu#chilismukbang#chilistripledipper#chilismozzarellasticks#burger #burgermukbang#juicyburger#crunchy#bigbites#asmr#asmrsounds#foodasmr #crunchyasmr#asmrfood#Foodie#foodvideo#foodmukbang #mukbangeatingshow#mukbangs#fastfoodmukbang#eatingvideo#eatingshow #eatingsounds#eatingasmr#foodasmr ♬ original sound – Keila
Content material: The place Humor Meets Worth
What labored greatest? Humor, relatability, and value-driven promotions. Memes, challenges, and user-generated content material helped generate buzz across the model, creating a way of group amongst prospects. And let’s not overlook the meals offers—as a result of nothing will get Gen Z to click on purchase like a superb low cost.
5. Jollibee’s U.S. Enlargement: Influencer Magic That Served Up Outcomes
When Jollibee, the Filipino fast-food chain that’s shortly turning into a world sensation, wished to spice up foot visitors to its U.S. places, they turned to Influicity for some influencer-powered spice. With a savvy strategy that blended micro-influencers with localized focusing on, this campaign didn’t simply drive engagement — it bought folks off their couches and into Jollibee’s iconic red-and-yellow chairs.
Marketing campaign Technique: Concentrating on the Proper Chew-Sized Audiences
The objective was clear: get extra folks within the door. To take action, Influicity rolled out a micro-influencer strategy, pinpointing influencers whose audiences have been geographically aligned with Jollibee’s U.S. places.
It’s like casting a fishing line into the precise spot the place the fish are biting. They didn’t simply goal any influencer — they targeted on these whose followers lived in proximity to Jollibee eating places. This laser-focused strategy ensured that the marketing campaign didn’t simply attain eyeballs however truly linked with customers able to take motion.
Influencers: The Actual Dish on Jollibee
A fastidiously chosen squad of 22 influencers with excessive engagement charges and the fitting viewers combine introduced the marketing campaign to life. These influencers didn’t simply submit fairly photos — they shared genuine, review-style content material that felt as real as a household recipe.
And with narratives that sounded extra like a buddy recommending an advert, they created content material that made followers crave Jollibee’s well-known Chickenjoy and Halo-Halo.
@janemukbangs I swear @Jollibee rooster has the perfect fried rooster🤤 and their peach mango has all the time been my favourite dessert. I can eat like 10 of these. Additionally, the brand new Ube pie was so SCHRUMPTIOUSSS. They higher hold that on the menu😤 Pineapple drink 11/10 😩 #janemukbangs #Foodie #mukbang #jollibee #fyp #foryou #foryoupage #viral #eatingshow #foodtiktok #jollibeemukbang #jollibeechickenjoy #crunchyasmr #crunchymukbang ♬ original sound – janemukbangs 😚
Amplification for Most Affect
Influicity didn’t simply depend on random posts — they amplified the content material strategically. By zeroing in on Designated Market Areas (DMAs), they ensured every submit hit the fitting native markets, producing over 1.3 million hyper-targeted impressions. These weren’t simply views; they have been views from folks prone to pop by a Jollibee location and revel in a meal. It was the digital equal of handing out flyers at a crowded live performance — solely approach cooler.
Marketing campaign Outcomes: From Digital Buzz to Actual-World Foot Site visitors
The outcomes? A whopping 3.5X enhance in foot visitors. That’s a transparent win for a marketing campaign that relied on digital engagement to make a real-world affect. With the assistance of influencer-driven content material, Jollibee turned on-line buzz into offline motion — the final word objective of any influencer marketing campaign.
6. Döner Shack’s Grand Opening: A Kebab Launch That Went Viral with Native Taste
When Döner Shack, a UK-based fast-casual kebab sensation, opened its first London location on Baker Avenue, they weren’t simply serving up scrumptious kebabs—they have been additionally meting out a masterclass in influencer advertising. Partnering with Disrupt Advertising, this campaign didn’t simply get mouths watering; it bought social media feeds buzzing.
Right here’s a have a look at how they made it occur.
Marketing campaign Temporary and Strategic Method:
The objective? To create a neighborhood stir about Döner Shack’s debut within the coronary heart of London, drum up pleasure for his or her menu, and drive hungry foot visitors. Disrupt Advertising tackled this by handpicking 13 native influencers whose audiences have been primed for a kebab craving.
These influencers have been briefed intimately earlier than the occasion, guaranteeing they stayed on-brand whereas having fun with the artistic freedom to authentically showcase the expertise. In any case, in relation to influencer advertising, creativity > copy-pasting a model’s script.
Instruments and Platforms:
Instagram and TikTok have been the chosen platforms, the place influencers’ knack for creating drool-worthy content material helped the marketing campaign hit residence with foodies. Each platforms’ visible nature made them a pure match, guaranteeing that the kebabs took middle stage whereas the influencers added their distinctive aptitude.
Key Outcomes:
Right here’s the place issues get spicy. The marketing campaign scored:
- 1.2 million impressions
- 27,000 engagements
- 1,400 hyperlink clicks
These numbers don’t simply spotlight spectacular attain; in addition they show that this was no run-of-the-mill marketing campaign. The excessive engagement and hyperlink clicks recommend Döner Shack’s culinary attract wasn’t simply on show—it was actively driving potential prospects to their new spot.
Marketing campaign Success:
The post-campaign evaluation confirmed vital buzz—each on-line and offline—due to the stellar engagement metrics. In an period the place native launches can simply be drowned out in a sea of digital noise, Döner Shack managed to chop via with a marketing campaign that delivered measurable ROI within the type of consciousness, pleasure, and potential buyer acquisition.
This marketing campaign is a chief instance of how, when executed proper, native influencer partnerships can rework a restaurant’s opening right into a community-wide occasion—one Instagram story (and kebab) at a time.
Cooking Up Success: Key Takeaways from Influencer Advertising in Eating places & Cafes
Influencer collaborations within the restaurant and cafe business thrive on authenticity, strategic partnerships, and leveraging micro-influencers to focus on particular, engaged audiences. Manufacturers ought to experiment with native influencers, create relatable content material, and embrace short-form platforms like TikTok and Instagram for optimum affect.
As this business continues to evolve, staying agile and tapping into real-time tendencies will likely be important for staying forward within the aggressive digital house. Innovate, adapt, and watch your model sizzle!
Concerning the Creator
Author
Geri Mileva, an skilled IP community engineer and distinguished author at Influencer Advertising Hub, specializes within the realms of the Creator Financial system, AI, blockchain, and the Metaverse. Her articles, featured in The Huffington Put up, Ravishly, and numerous different revered newspapers and magazines, provide in-depth evaluation and insights into these cutting-edge know-how domains. Geri’s technological background enriches her writing, offering a novel perspective that bridges complicated technical ideas with accessible, participating content material for numerous audiences.
