Smart TV Advertising for Restaurants: Drive Foot Traffic with CTV
The restaurant industry is more competitive than ever. Smart TV advertising has emerged as one of the most effective channels for restaurants to drive foot traffic, increase online orders, and build loyal customer bases.
Why Smart TV Advertising Works for Restaurants
Research shows that 68% of dining decisions are made at home, typically 2-4 hours before the meal. Smart TV advertising reaches consumers exactly when they're deciding where to eat.
- Relaxing after work, deciding where to eat
- Watching TV with family, planning dinner
- Streaming content on weekends, considering brunch or lunch options
Visual Storytelling Sells Food
Unlike radio or display ads, Smart TV advertising lets you showcase your food visually:
- Sizzling steaks and fresh ingredients
- Beautifully plated dishes
- Happy customers enjoying meals
- Inviting restaurant atmosphere
Precise Local Targeting
Smart TV advertising offers hyper-local targeting that traditional TV can't match:
- Target households within 5, 10, or 15 miles of your location
- Reach specific neighborhoods or zip codes
- Exclude areas outside your delivery radius
- Target multiple locations with location-specific creative
Smart TV Advertising Strategies for Different Restaurant Types
Goals: Drive immediate foot traffic and online orders
Targeting Strategy:
- • 5-10 mile radius around locations
- • Age 18-54, all income levels
- • Lunch hours (11am-2pm) and dinner hours (5pm-8pm)
- • Families and young professionals
Creative Approach:
- • 15-second spots (fast-paced, energetic)
- • Focus on speed, convenience, value
- • Clear call-to-action: "Order online now" or "Visit us today"
- • Promotional offers (limited-time deals)
Budget: $3,000-$8,000/month per location
Goals: Drive weekend traffic, special occasions, family dinners
Targeting Strategy:
- • 10-15 mile radius
- • Age 25-65, HHI $40K+
- • Families with children
- • Thursday-Sunday (planning weekend meals)
Creative Approach:
- • 30-second storytelling spots
- • Show families enjoying meals together
- • Highlight atmosphere, variety, value
- • Emotional connection ("Where families gather")
Budget: $5,000-$12,000/month per location
Goals: Drive reservations, special occasions, high-value customers
Targeting Strategy:
- • 15-25 mile radius (people will travel for upscale dining)
- • Age 35-70, HHI $75K+
- • Homeowners, professionals
- • Thursday-Saturday (planning date nights, celebrations)
Creative Approach:
- • 30-second cinematic spots
- • Showcase ambiance, plating, wine selection
- • Emphasize experience, not just food
- • Sophisticated tone and production quality
Budget: $8,000-$20,000/month
Case Study: Regional Restaurant Chain (3 Locations)
Increase foot traffic and online orders across three locations in different neighborhoods while competing with national chains.
Smart TV Campaign (via SmartTVAds.co):
- • 30-second commercials showcasing signature dishes and happy customers
- • Three versions with location-specific messaging
- • Targeting: 5-mile radius around each location, age 25-54, HHI $40K+
- • Flight schedule: Thursday-Sunday (peak planning days)
- • Budget: $9,000/month ($3,000 per location)
DOOH Campaign (via EasyBillboard.co - Digital Billboard Advertising):
- • 3 digital billboards, one near each location
- • Rotating creative: lunch specials, happy hour, weekend brunch
- • Budget: $6,000/month
Total Budget: $18,000/month
+38%
Foot traffic increase
+56%
Online orders increase
+42%
New customer acquisition
5.2x
Return on investment
Total revenue increase: $284,000
Key Insight: Customers who saw both CTV and DOOH ads were 3.4x more likely to visit
Best Practices for Restaurant CTV Creative
First 3 seconds are critical:
- • Open with your most mouth-watering dish
- • Use close-up, high-quality food photography
- • Avoid logos or text first—lead with food
Visual storytelling beats talking heads:
- • Show food being prepared (sizzling, grilling, plating)
- • Show happy customers enjoying meals
- • Show your restaurant atmosphere
- • Minimal voiceover—let visuals do the work
Give viewers a reason to act now:
- • Limited-time offers ("This weekend only")
- • Seasonal specials ("Fall menu now available")
- • Event-based promotions ("Game day specials")
- • Scarcity ("Reserve your table before we're fully booked")
Tell viewers exactly what to do:
- • "Visit us at [address]"
- • "Order online at [website]"
- • "Download our app"
- • "Call [phone number] for reservations"
- • "Use code TV20 for 20% off"
Ready to drive more customers to your restaurant with Smart TV advertising? SmartTVAds.co, powered by Bravo Ad Solutions, specializes in restaurant advertising.
- 30-second unskippable commercials that showcase your food
- Hyper-local targeting (5-25 mile radius)
- 95%+ completion rates guarantee your message is seen
- Flexible budgets starting at $3,000/month