Football is back. UTSA Roadrunners games at the Alamodome. High school football across every ISD in the city. Cowboys and Texans watch parties at every sports bar and restaurant with a TV. For San Antonio restaurants, football season is a four-month marketing gift.
Here’s how to use social media to make sure fans are watching the game at your place.
Create a Weekly Game Day Post
Every Thursday or Friday, post your weekend game day specials. Keep it simple and consistent:
- What games you’re showing
- What specials you’re running (bucket deals, wing specials, happy hour extensions)
- Any fun extras (giveaways, contests, halftime trivia)
Use a consistent template or visual style so followers recognize your game day posts instantly. A sports bar near the Alamodome should make UTSA game days a signature event.
Run a Pick ‘Em Contest
Create a weekly football picks contest on your social channels. Followers predict winners, and the person with the best record each week wins a gift card or free appetizer. This drives engagement, repeat visits, and word-of-mouth.
It’s low cost and high engagement. People love competing, and they’ll tag friends to join.
Behind-the-Scenes Kitchen Content
Film your kitchen prepping for a big game day…trays of nachos being assembled, wings going into the fryer, pitchers being lined up. This type of content makes people hungry and gives them a reason to choose your restaurant over watching at home.
A taqueria on West Avenue showing game day prep at 10 AM will have people planning their afternoon around your food.
User-Generated Content From Game Days
Encourage customers to tag your restaurant when they post game day photos. Repost the best ones (with credit). A packed dining room full of fans in jerseys is the best advertising you can get. It shows atmosphere, community, and proof that your place is the spot.
Create a simple hashtag…#GameDayAt[YourRestaurantName]…and promote it on table tents and your social channels.
UTSA and High School Football Love
Not everything has to be about the NFL. San Antonio lives and breathes UTSA football and high school games. Post about local matchups, congratulate local teams, and position your restaurant as the community gathering spot.
“Congratulations to Reagan High School on the big win tonight! Celebrate with us…late-night happy hour until midnight.” These posts connect you to the neighborhood in a way that generic content can’t.
Don’t Stop at Football
The social media habits you build during football season…consistent posting, engaging content, community connection…should carry through the rest of the year. Use this season as your launchpad. Our 2023 football season social media playbook has more user-generated content tactics, and when the holidays hit, a Google Business Profile checklist for restaurants maximizes your visibility. Pair your social efforts with email marketing to fill tables year-round.
Need help with your restaurant’s social media? Visit gift.growmysmallbusiness.com and let’s make every game day count.