Harnessing AI and Social Media to Attract Gen Z Diners
Strategies for Engaging Gen Z through Social Media
and Chat-Based Ordering
1. Leverage Instagram and TikTok for Visual Storytelling
- How to Use It: Post engaging, visually appealing content that highlights your food,
restaurant ambiance, and behind-the-scenes moments. Showcase your restaurant’s personality and vibe, which is important to Gen Z.
- Features and Benefits:
○ Video Content: Use TikTok and Instagram Reels to create short, fun, and viral
videos that resonate with Gen Z. Highlight menu items, food preparation, and “secret menu” items to generate buzz.
○ Interactive Content: Polls, Q&A sessions, and challenges can help you engage with Gen Z, giving them a sense of interaction and community with your brand.
2. Enable Direct Ordering from Social Posts:
- How to Use It: Make it easy for Gen Z to order directly from Instagram and TikTok
posts, Stories, or Reels. Use "Swipe Up" links (in Stories) or links in bio to take them
directly to your online ordering system.
- Features and Benefits:
○ One-Click Ordering: Use third-party integrations or tools like FOSA to embed
order buttons directly into your posts and Stories, so customers can click and order without leaving the app.
○ Social Commerce: Leverage Instagram’s shopping features, allowing customers
to browse your menu and place orders directly through Instagram.
3. Use Chat-Based Ordering via Social Media DMs:
- How to Use It: Implement FOSA’s fully automated chat-based ordering over Instagram
DMs, WhatsApp, and Messenger to provide a seamless, conversational ordering
experience that appeals to Gen Z’s love for messaging apps.
- Features and Benefits:
○ Real-Time Interaction: FOSA allows customers to place orders directly by
chatting with an AI assistant through their preferred social platform. This real-time
interaction feels natural and is more engaging for Gen Z than traditional forms of
online ordering.
○ Personalization: The AI assistant can recognize returning customers, remember
their preferences, and suggest relevant menu items, offering a personalized
experience.
- Convenience: Since Gen Z already spends significant time on messaging apps,
being able to order food directly via social chat eliminates the need for additional
apps or steps, making it extremely convenient.
4. Leverage WhatsApp and Messenger for Exclusive Offers and Updates:
- How to Use It: Use WhatsApp and Messenger to engage directly with Gen Z by sending
exclusive offers, discounts, or updates through automated messages.
- Features and Benefits:
○ Exclusive Offers: Offer special deals or flash sales that are only available to
customers who engage via WhatsApp or Messenger, creating a sense of
exclusivity and urgency.
○ Automated Updates: Send automated messages about new menu items,
promotions, or events to customers who have opted into your messaging service,
ensuring they stay engaged with your brand.
5. Collaborate with Influencers and Create User-Generated Content:
- How to Use It: Partner with local micro-influencers on Instagram or TikTok who can
authentically promote your restaurant to their Gen Z audience. Encourage customers to create their own content using branded hashtags.
- Features and Benefits:
○ Authentic Endorsements: Gen Z values peer recommendations over traditional
advertising. Influencers can showcase your restaurant in a relatable way, driving
more engagement.
○ UGC Campaigns: Encourage customers to post photos or videos of their meals
using your branded hashtag. Reward participants with discounts or features on
your social media pages, creating a sense of community and engagement.
6. Provide Instant Gratification with Quick Response Times:
- How to Use It: Gen Z expects fast communication, so ensure you’re quick to respond to
DMs or comments on social media. Use FOSA’s automated messaging to answer FAQs,
provide order updates, and handle customer inquiries.
- Features and Benefits:
○ Instant Order Confirmations: FOSA can instantly confirm orders, send updates,
and notify customers when their order is ready for pickup or delivery, meeting
Gen Z’s expectation for speed.
○ 24/7 Availability: An AI-powered system like FOSA allows customers to place
orders at any time, even outside regular business hours, catering to Gen Z’s
desire for convenience and flexibility.
7. Integrate Social Media Ordering with Your POS System:
- How to Use It: FOSA’s chat-based ordering can seamlessly integrate with your POS
system, ensuring that all orders placed via social media are processed automatically and
routed to the kitchen.
- Features and Benefits:
○ No Manual Entry: Orders placed through Instagram DM, WhatsApp, or
Messenger flow directly into your POS system and kitchen, eliminating the need
for staff to manually input social orders.
○ Efficient Workflow: The integration ensures that all orders, whether placed in-
house or through social platforms, are tracked and managed efficiently, leading
to faster fulfillment and higher accuracy.
8. Encourage Loyalty and Repeat Visits with Social Engagement:
- How to Use It: Build a loyalty program that integrates with your social media presence.
Reward customers for engaging with your content, sharing posts, or ordering directly
through social platforms.
- Features and Benefits:
○ Points for Engagement: Offer loyalty points for activities like sharing your
content, tagging friends, or participating in social challenges, which can be
redeemed for free items or discounts.
○ Stay Top-of-Mind: Regular social engagement through fun content, gamified
promotions, and personalized offers helps keep your brand top-of-mind for Gen Z
customers.
Meet FOSA – Your Restaurant's Personal Ordering
Expert!
Imagine a friendly assistant who takes care of all your customer orders, making it
easy for them to order from you on WhatsApp, Messenger, Instagram DM, SMS,
or even your website. FOSA’s Chat Assistant is here to give your customers a
smooth, convenient ordering experience every single time.
- Omnichannel Ordering: Guide customers through their order choices, offering them a personalized
and user-friendly ordering journey.
- Customer-Friendly Assistance: Guide customers through their order choices, offering them a personalized
and user-friendly ordering journey.
- Special Requests, No Problem: Capture unique preferences and special requests, ensuring each meal is
just the way your customer likes it.
- Smart Recommendations: With FOSA’s intelligence, suggest dishes based on customer preferences,
encouraging them to try something new or add a little extra!
- Flash Sales & Discounts: Drive up orders with dynamic flash sales and personalized discounts that
make customers eager to order more.
- Integrated Payments: Offer a secure and straightforward payment option right within the chat,
making transactions seamless.
- Versatile Ordering Options: FOSA lets customers order for pick-up or delivery, make table reservations,
schedule orders ahead, or even pre-order for dine-in.
- Cross-Channel Recognition: Recognize your customers across channels, creating a personalized experience
every time they reach out to your restaurant.
With FOSA, ordering becomes effortless for both you and your customers – a win-win that brings convenience, satisfaction, and boosted sales to your restaurant!
Summary: FOSA’s Chat-Based Ordering to the Rescue
With Gen Z’s preference for convenience, speed, and digital interaction, traditional phone-based
or website-based ordering can feel outdated. FOSA’s fully automated social chat-based direct
ordering over Instagram DM, WhatsApp, and Messenger offers a modern solution that speaks
directly to how Gen Z engages with brands. By integrating this AI-powered solution, restaurants
can:
- Capture orders in real time through social platforms.
- Offer personalized experiences through chat-based interactions.
- Increase convenience by letting customers order where they already spend time—on
social media and messaging apps.
- Seamlessly integrate orders with the POS and kitchen systems for a smooth, automated
workflow.
By meeting Gen Z on the platforms they love and offering frictionless, chat-based ordering,
restaurants can attract and retain this growing customer base while staying ahead of the competition.