By the Numbers
Your food may be exceptional, but customers often make their first decision before they ever take a bite. These statistics highlight how photos, reviews, menus, and accurate business information influence where people choose to eat.
Menu Descriptions
Menu items with descriptive labels generated 27% higher sales than the same items without descriptive descriptions.
Well-written menu descriptions help customers understand what they're ordering and make informed decisions. When expectations match reality, restaurants build trust and encourage repeat business.
Cornell Food and Brand Lab
Presentation & Consistency
Around two-thirds of consumers have used a food-ordering app for takeout or delivery.
For many customers, your listing on DoorDash, Uber Eats, Grubhub, or another delivery platform is their first interaction with your restaurant. Consistent descriptions, accurate information, and a professional presentation can help turn browsing into orders.
Purdue University Consumer Food Insights Report (2024)
Food Photography
Using high-quality, professional food photos can increase conversion rates by up to 45%.
Customers often make decisions with their eyes first. Clear, appetizing, and accurate photos help build confidence, encourage exploration of your menu, and set realistic expectations before an order is placed.
Source: BrightLocal Local Consumer Review Survey
Digital First Impressions
75% of consumers judge a business's credibility based on its online presence.
Customers often form opinions about a business before they ever make contact. A clean, professional, and consistent online presence helps establish credibility and encourages potential diners to continue exploring instead of moving on to another option.
Stanford University Research (widely cited in web credibility studies)
Business Information
76% of people who search for something nearby visit a business within 24 hours.
When customers are ready to visit or place an order, they need accurate business information. Up-to-date hours, contact details, and location information make it easy for them to choose your restaurant with confidence.
Think with Google (reported by multiple local search industry summaries)
Google Business Profile
97% of consumers read online reviews when researching local businesses.
Before deciding where to eat, many customers check a restaurant's online presence to evaluate reviews, ratings, photos, and overall credibility. A well-maintained Google Business Profile helps create a positive first impression and gives potential diners confidence in their choice.
BrightLocal Local Consumer Review Survey
The numbers tell a consistent story: customers often make their first impression of your restaurant online. Ensuring that your digital presence accurately reflects the quality of your food and service can help turn that first impression into a first order.
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