How Can Restaurants Use TikTok to Go Viral?
Two Pizza Shops. Two Very Different Stories.
Let me set the scene. Two pizza joints, same street, same menu style, same college-town crowd.
By midnight, one has a line out the door. The other has staff leaning on the counter, waiting for something—anything—to happen.
So what changed the game? Not the sauce. Not the crust. Not even the prices.
It was TikTok.
One shop started posting quick, fun clips: students tackling giant slices, staff dancing in the kitchen, a chef stretching gooey cheese so far it nearly snapped. Those videos hit TikTok’s “For You” page. Suddenly, that pizza shop was the place to be.
The other? Still posting still shots of pepperoni. No traction. No buzz.
Why TikTok Matters for Restaurants Right Now
Nowadays not only TikTok is used just by teenagers. It’s where people search. Over 40% of Gen Z actually use TikTok instead of Google when they’re hunting for “best tacos in Dallas” or “late-night sushi in LA.”
For restaurants and franchises, that means one viral clip can do what $15,000 in ads used to drive traffic, create hype, and fill tables.
Why TikTok Works: The Psychology
Polished ads don’t cut it here. TikTok users want something real—quick moments that feel unfiltered.
- A sizzling fajita hitting the pan.
- A giant ice cream sundae dropped on the table, everyone gasping.
- A cashier cracking a joke about loyalty perks.
It’s short, messy, and human. And that’s exactly why it works.
5 Ways Restaurants Can Hit TikTok Gold
1. Show the Chaos Behind the Scenes
Don’t just post pretty plates. Show the fire, the flour, the laughter in the kitchen.
Example: A ramen shop in California filmed its “slurp challenge.” Customers tried to finish a giant bowl in under 10 minutes. One clip hit 12 million views. The line hasn’t slowed since.
2. Move Fast on Trends
TikTok trends burn hot and die fast. A sound might be everywhere on Monday and gone by Friday.
Adapt them to your food. A steakhouse lip-syncing with a tomahawk cut? Instant scroll-stopper.
3. Turn Loyalty Into Content
POS loyalty programs aren’t boring—they’re opportunities. Film a customer spinning the prize wheel. Capture the surprise when someone wins a free dessert.
With PAYS POS, those videos aren’t just fun—they connect straight to ROI.
4. Claim Your Local Ground
Don’t forget geo-tags and city hashtags (#MiamiEats, #ChicagoBurgers). TikTok’s algorithm loves locales. That’s how you go from “viral video” to “full tables.”
5. Let Diners Do the Work
Your customers want to film anyway. Give them a branded hashtag and feature the best clips. Offer loyalty points or perks for the funniest ones.
ROI: When TikTok Delivers
- Restaurants on TikTok report 15–25% higher foot traffic within three months.
- One Nashville hot chicken joint went up 38% in sales after a 10-second video pulled 4 million views.
- Franchises pairing TikTok with POS loyalty programs saw 20% more repeat visits—because once customers discover you, they stick.
TikTok Pitfalls to Avoid
- Over-produced, ad-like videos (they flop fast).
- Missing trends because you waited too long.
- Generic hashtags with no local flavor.
- Forgetting to link TikTok buzz to loyalty perks.
- Staff who are camera-shy and unprepared.
Why PAYS POS Is the Secret Weapon
TikTok brings them in. PAYS POS keeps them coming back.
Here’s the edge over Clover, Toast, and the rest:
- 0% Processing Fees (dual pricing = instant savings)
- Loyalty Programs tied directly to viral campaigns
- Multi-Location Dashboards for franchise owners to track ROI
- Smooth Integrations with delivery, payroll, HR, and more
- 0% Processing Fees (dual pricing = instant savings)
TikTok in 2025: What’s Next
- AI tools predicting which sounds will blow up before they trend.
- In-app ordering rolling out for restaurants.
- POS dashboards that connect views to sales (yes, PAYS POS is already building this).
The future isn’t just going viral. It’s tracking every dollar it brings in.
- AI tools predicting which sounds will blow up before they trend.
Final Thought: TikTok Is Today’s Word of Mouth
One 15-second clip could be worth more than a month of paid ads.
Restaurants that embrace TikTok now don’t just get views—they get loyalty, traffic, and sales. Pair it with a POS system that proves ROI, and you’re unstoppable.
Think Payments. Think PAYS.
Book Your Free Demo of PAYS POS
FAQs
Easy to Utilize, raw clips showcasing behind-the-scenes, genuine customer reactions, viral engaging food challenges and content.
Not at first. Most viral restaurant clips are organic. Ads are just fuel later.
Tie posts to POS loyalty programs—reward customers who tag your place. It builds habits and keeps them coming back.
Yes. Keep the brand voice the same, but let local teams add trends, faces, and hashtags for their city.
It connects your social buzz to loyalty data, eliminates processing fees, and gives you real-time dashboards across locations.
