The rise of social media empires has transformed marketing strategies across all industries. For restaurants, these platforms often come with a flood of requests from influencers seeking free meals or payment in exchange for exposure. While this might be an effective strategy for some businesses, particularly those with a strong online or global focus, the approach doesn’t exactly align with the realities of every restaurant—ours included.
At our restaurant, we’ve made the conscious decision to decline the majority of influencer collaboration requests. The reasons are simple and rooted in practicality. First and foremost, we don’t ever rely on paid promotions. Our philosophy is that our food, atmosphere, and service should speak for themselves. We want our customers to share their experiences authentically, without any incentive that could compromise the integrity of their opinions.
That said, we’re not entirely opposed to working with certain qualified writers or content creators. However, we’re selective. If we do collaborate, it’s typically with individuals who are either based locally in Phuket—our home—or those who at least specialize in food writing within Thailand. This ensures that any content they produce is authentic, and reaches an audience that might realistically visit us.
For the rest of the influencer requests, we offer a small discount if they’re genuinely interested in trying our restaurant. Tellingly, over 90% of these inquiries never reply after this offer. And we’re okay with that. It tells us that their primary interest wasn’t in our food or dining experience, but in a one-sided transaction.
The reality of the restaurant business is unique. Unlike products that can be shipped worldwide, restaurants operate in a time-sensitive, location-specific environment. Much like airlines or hotels, we deal in expiring inventory—empty tables today can’t be filled tomorrow. Therefore, promotion to an audience located in other countries or continents rarely brings value to us.
This doesn’t mean social media isn’t important. It can be a powerful tool, particularly when it organically connects actual guests with actual experiences with local audiences or tourists already planning a visit to the area. But for restaurants like ours, the key is ensuring that any marketing efforts—whether online or offline—are meaningful, targeted, and real.
Ultimately, our focus remains on what we do best since January 2012 – crafting exceptional and affordable dining experiences for every guest who walks through our doors, no strings attached.
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Churrasco Phuket Steakhouse serves affordable Wagyu and Black Angus steaks and burgers. We are open daily from 12noon to 11pm at Jungceylon Shopping Center in Patong / Phuket.
We are family-friendly and offer free parking and Wi-Fi for guests. See our menus, reserve your table, find our location, and check all reviews here:
https://ChurrascoPhuket.com/
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