Start where hungry people already look
Most new guests find a restaurant through a search on Google or Google Maps, a delivery app, social media or a friend. Fix the free channels first, because paid ads only send people to the same listing and website.
- Claim your Google Business Profile. It is free. Fill in every field: hours (including holidays), phone, cuisine category, website, menu link and an order link. Add real photos of the food, the room and the outside of the building.
- Reply to reviews. Thank people for good ones and answer complaints calmly and specifically. Future guests read the replies.
- Keep your hours and menu identical everywhere: Google, your website, Facebook, Instagram and any delivery app. Conflicting hours cost visits.
Local SEO for restaurants, in plain terms
Local SEO means showing up when someone nearby searches for “pizza near me” or “sushi Laval”. Three things matter most: a complete Google Business Profile, a website that states your cuisine, neighbourhood and city in plain text, and steady new reviews.
- Put the menu on your website as text, not only as a PDF or image, so search engines and phones can read it.
- Use your city and neighbourhood in the page title and the first paragraph of your home page.
- Add your address and phone number as text in the footer of every page.
- In Quebec, publish your site and menu in French first. English can be added (Office québécois de la langue française).
Use delivery apps for discovery, not for your regulars
Uber Eats, DoorDash and SkipTheDishes put you in front of people who have never heard of you. That reach costs a commission on every order: Uber Eats and DoorDash publish delivery plans from 20% to about 30% in Canada (Uber Eats Canada merchant pricing; DoorDash Canada merchant pricing).
A common approach is to stay on one or two apps for discovery, then invite repeat guests to order directly on your own website, where there is no per-order commission. Put a small card in app orders with your web address and a reason to order direct.
See the fee tables in Uber Eats vs DoorDash vs SkipTheDishes for restaurants.
Give first-time guests a reason to return
- A modest first-order offer on your own website works better than a permanent discount.
- Ask for an email or phone number at checkout, with a separate opt-in box for promotions. In Canada that consent is required by CASL (see restaurant email marketing).
- Follow up with a reason to come back: a new dish, a slow-night special, a seasonal menu.
Cheap, local ideas that bring new faces
- Partner with nearby offices for group lunch orders.
- Join neighbourhood events, markets and BIA or SDC promotions.
- Cater a school, team or community event.
- Run a slow-night special and post it on your Google profile.
- Work with a local food creator, and ask for honest coverage, not a script.
Where Chefzi fits
Chefzi is a commission-free online ordering system for Canadian restaurants: your own ordering page in English and French, for a flat $35 a month. Guests who find you on Google can order from your own site, and you keep their contact details for the next visit. If that sounds useful, book a 15-minute demo and we will show you your own menu in it. No pressure if you are just researching.
Sources
Google Business Profile, checked 27 October 2026 · Uber Eats Canada merchant pricing, checked 27 October 2026 · DoorDash Canada merchant pricing, checked 27 October 2026 · CRTC, CASL FAQ and CRTC guidance on implied consent
Frequently asked questions
What is the fastest free way to reach new restaurant customers?
Complete your Google Business Profile with hours, menu, photos and an order link, and reply to reviews. It costs nothing and it is where most local searches end.
Do delivery apps bring new customers?
Yes, that is their main value. The trade-off is a commission on every order, so many restaurants use them for discovery and move regulars to direct ordering.
How do I do local SEO for my restaurant?
A complete Google profile, a website with your menu as text and your city in titles, consistent hours everywhere and a steady flow of new reviews.