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UK Insta Worthy Cafes, Restaurants & Fast Food Joints
The Rise of Insta Worthy Dining Venues : Statistics, Research & Analysis
In the age of social media, Instagram has emerged as a powerful marketing tool, especially for restaurant businesses. With 2 billion active users, Instagram is the ideal platform for eateries who want to visually showcase their offerings and create a strong and appealing brand presence online.
In this article, we explore the reasons behind this trend and discuss how an Instaworthy fit-out can boost restaurant revenue and make the venue more profitable like the award winning Cafe Mars pictured above.
Why Instagram is a Great Tool for Restaurants
1. Visual appeal:
Researchers have found that more than 80% of people are willing to order a dish based on how it looks on photos. Instagram's visual-centric nature makes it an ideal platform for restaurants to display their culinary creations and ambiance, using high-quality photos and giving potential customers a good reason to visit the restaurant.
2. Engagement:
Appealing visuals on Instagram encourage comments, likes, and direct messages from followers and customers. These interactions are the basis of engagement and help build a community around the brand.
3. Reach:
Instagram offers restaurants more than a chance to boost their visual appeal. Using trending hashtags and geotags can help increase post visibility by nearly 80% and attract customers to the venue like the Deezen Awards longlisted Coach Play @Cat Street cafe.
The Increase in Photogenic Venues: What's Behind the Trend?
1. Changes in consumer behavior:
Gen Z has a big impact on the food and beverage industry. Surveys show that they are the most adventurous foodies and are open to trying new restaurants, in addition to seeing eateries as places for enjoyment and socializing.
2. Social media culture:
More than 70% of consumers research restaurants on social media, and a similar percentage take photos of their meals before eating. Venues can leverage this to their advantage, showcasing their dining experience on these platforms and making it ready to share on social media.
3. Cost-effective marketing:
A strong Instagram presence is a cost-effective marketing strategy since each photo, reel or video is a free mini-advertisement. Restaurants can include other types of content for high-impact marketing: diner reviews, promotions, menu highlights, new additions, re-posting user-generated content where they’re tagged, etc.
How an Insta Worthy Fit-Out Can Boost Restaurant Revenue
Well thought-out lighting
Good lighting is crucial for creating an Instaworthy venue. When planning a fit-out, consider aspects like orientation. For example, tables near windows facing east or west may receive strong light and photos will be overexposed. Think ahead about how natural light plays out at different time of the day and add elements to counteract poor lighting (shades, blinds, table lights, etc.).
If natural light isn’t always available, get creative using a mix of direct and indirect, warm and bright lighting to ensure every snap is Instagram-worthy. You may also want to include decorative lighting in your fit-out plans, such as led strips or fairy lights.
For accent lighting, take inspiration from restaurants using custom LED neon signs featuring their branded hashtags and other Instagrammable displays.
Unique Decor
Updating a restaurant’s décor with a focus on the Instagrammable factor can make the venue stand out and get more diners through the door. Elements like murals, greenery, accent walls, bespoke furniture, and local artwork that complement the restaurant’s theme are a good way to boost the venue’s appeal.
Creative signage can also add a unique twist to your décor, as you can see from what this donut shop chain achieved with custom neon art and signage.
Add a Merchandise Corner
Your restaurant can add another revenue stream by including a merch corner in your fit-out. Once you’ve created a strong visual identity with your décor choices and Instagram content, you can leverage your brand for additional sales, such as branded mugs, T-shirts, and other memorabilia. Make sure the merch corner itself is Instaworthy!
Consider Event Space
When planning the fit-out, pay special attention to the layout and ensure it can accommodate different configurations for gatherings and events – or alternatively, you may want to upgrade underused space for this purpose.
Investing in an Instaworthy fit-out can also create opportunities for events and private bookings, from birthday parties to influencer meet-ups. These events can provide additional revenue and expand your customer base.
Outdoor Spaces
Views are among the top 28% Instaworthy features, right after food presentation. If you have any underused outdoor space, a fit-out could turn it into an Instaworthy space for an al fresco dining experience.
You don’t need to have a large terrace for this. Even small patios or balconies have Instagrammable potential. Not only will this generate more social media exposure, but additional seating can lead to more revenue potential.
Insta Worthy Restaurants are More Profitable
An Instaworthy restaurant fit-out can help boost your revenue through various channels, from food and beverage-related sales to income from merchandise and events or private bookings.
Overall, these venues are more profitable than others. First, because they attract more customers eager to capture and share their experiences. Secondly, the diners will probably want to post about their visit, which can drive additional foot traffic.
Secondly, photogenic venues often lead to higher spending per visit, as customers are willing to pay a premium for a unique and memorable experience. A survey carried out in 2023 found that customers were ready to spend an extra US$39 for Instagrammable eating out experiences.
Conclusion
The rise of Insta-worthy food joints reflects the changing landscape of the restaurant industry, where the visual appeal and social media presence play a critical role in attracting customers and driving revenue. By investing in a photogenic fit-out, restaurants can create a memorable dining experience that resonates with diners and generates substantial profit.
To find out more about our research or request an interview:
Get in touch with our Media & Outreach team now by contacting
Clare Jones
Global Outreach Manager
Email: clare@customneon.com
LinkedIn: Clare Jones
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