Example Press Releases for a New Restaurant Opening
The restaurant industry moves fast. Between keeping up with trends, delighting customers, running social media and more, sending out press releases for a restaurant can feel like a challenge. But whether you’re a local restaurant owner or a PR professional at a national chain, a well-crafted press release can help you share your story with food critics, local media and potential customers. Here’s what you need to know.
Top Reasons to Write a Restaurant Press Release
Press releases help restaurants connect with food writers, local media and customers who want to know about your latest news. From small neighborhood bistros to national chains, restaurants use press releases to build buzz and bring in diners. Some of the most common restaurant press release examples include:
Menu updates: New seasonal dishes or a full menu overhaul deserve attention. A press release highlights your culinary creativity and gives food writers fresh content to cover.
Chef changes: Bringing on a new executive chef signals an exciting direction for your restaurant. A new hire press release should share their background, cooking style and vision to generate interest from food media.
Awards and recognition: Winning industry awards or recognition builds credibility with diners. Spread the good news to local media and food critics who can amplify your success.
Special events: Whether it’s a wine dinner, cooking class, holiday celebration or grand opening with special discounts, events bring energy to your restaurant. Send event press releases to local organizations and food writers to help fill seats.
Charity initiatives: Supporting local causes shows your commitment to the community. Tell the story of how your restaurant is giving back to encourage coverage and participation.
Restaurant openings: A grand opening is big news for any neighborhood or city. Write a press release for the new restaurant to share your concept, menu highlights and opening details.
Key Components of a Restaurant Opening Press Release
No matter your topic, a strong press release for a restaurant follows AP style while highlighting what makes your restaurant unique. But for an event as major as a new opening, there are a few things that restaurant press release templates should specifically include:
Headline: Create an attention-grabbing headline that showcases your restaurant’s concept or cuisine.
Dateline: The city is especially important for a restaurant opening press release. It should be in all caps, followed by the release date.
Lead paragraph: Open with key details about your restaurant’s concept, location and opening timeline. Include what makes your restaurant different from others in the area.
Body content: Describe your menu highlights, atmosphere and any unique features. Break information into short paragraphs.
Quotes: Add personality with a quote about the vision for the restaurant. Share what inspired the concept or what guests can expect.
Call to action: Direct readers to make reservations, view your menu or follow you on social media. Make it easy for potential guests to learn more.
Boilerplate: In addition to basic boilerplate copy, summarize your restaurant group’s background or the owner or chef’s experience.
Contact information: List your PR contact or manager’s details for media follow-up. Include phone, email and website.
Multimedia: Share high-quality photos of your space, signature dishes or chef. Including multimedia can increase the chances of media coverage.
How to Write a Press Release for a Restaurant Opening
A well-written press release for a new restaurant opening helps food writers, local media and potential guests understand what makes your restaurant special. Let’s break down some press release format best practices to see how to write each section effectively.
Craft a Memorable Headline for Your Restaurant
Your headline sets the tone for your entire restaurant press release. Focus on what makes your restaurant different, like “First Robot-Served Sushi Restaurant Opens in Miami.” Highlight your chef’s background if they’re well-known, for example, “James Beard Winner Launches Farm-to-Table Concept.”
Keep headlines under 100 characters and consider your target audience: Food writers want to know about culinary innovation, while local media care about community impact.
Write a Strong Opening Paragraph
Start the press release with your restaurant’s name, concept and grand opening date. Share your location and highlight your food and beverage offerings to capture the interest of media and potential diners. Tell readers why your restaurant fills a need in the neighborhood. And don’t forget to mention your chef’s background or any unique features that set you apart. It sounds like a lot, but keep it focused on key details media outlets need to know.
Showcase Your Unique Dining Experience
Paint a picture of what guests will experience when they visit. Describe signature dishes that highlight your menu’s direction. Share details about your space, like a wood-fired oven, rooftop dining area, open kitchen or chef’s table. Don’t forget to always include your price point and what type of service guests can expect.
Add Location and Opening Details
You probably know a press release for a restaurant should provide your address, but you can make it even easier for people to find you by listing your neighborhood and cross streets for easy reference. Make it easy for them to get there with parking or public transit details. Also, be sure to share your opening hours and days of operation.
Include the Right Quotes from Your Team
Quoting your executive chef, the owner of the restaurant or another top executive can add credibility and get your target audience excited. A quote from your chef about their menu inspiration can help drive reservations. Engage the local community by including the owner’s vision and why they chose the location. Make quotes sound natural and conversational, and let your restaurant’s personality shine.
Sample Press Releases for a Restaurant Opening
Looking at real-life restaurant press release samples can help you craft an effective press release for your restaurant. Here are three different types of restaurant opening announcements, each with unique goals and target audiences.
Global Restaurant Expansion
Even large chains need press releases for their restaurant openings. An announcement of a 400th Carl's Jr. location in Mexico shows how established chains use restaurant press releases. The release builds investor confidence by highlighting expansion plans, revenue projections and quotes from executives. It also helps change perceptions, showing Carl's Jr. as a global brand rather than just an American chain.
Press release example: Carl’s Jr. Opens 400th Restaurant in Mexico
Franchise Development
This press release from Starbird targets potential franchisees by announcing its expansion into Washington state. The release highlights the company’s growth strategy and unique concept to attract investors. It includes specific details about development plans, target markets and franchise opportunities. Quotes from leadership focus on business success and growth potential rather than menu items or dining experience.
Press release example: Starbird Expands to Washington with New Franchise Agreement
Acclaimed Chef
This new restaurant press release example shows how to announce a high-end dining concept backed by a well-known chef. It targets foodies by focusing on Chef Johnny Spero's background and culinary vision and painting a picture of the dining experience with details about the beachfront setting, menu inspiration and design. Quotes from both the chef and property leadership help tell the complete story.
Press release example: Beach Club at the Boca Raton Collaborates with Acclaimed Chef Johnny Spero
Drive Press Coverage for Your Restaurant Opening
A press release for a restaurant grand opening is a chance to make a strong first impression on your community, helping you share your story with the right people at the right time. By following these tips and leveraging an effective press release distribution service, you’ll create buzz that brings guests through your doors.
PR Newswire helps restaurants of all sizes get noticed. Our distribution network reaches food writers, local media and industry publications in over 170 countries. Plus, our expert editors ensure your press release follows best practices. Ready to send press releases for your restaurant like a pro? Sign up with PR Newswire today.
FAQs About Restaurant Press Releases
Why are press releases important for restaurants?
Press releases help you share news about openings, menu changes, events and achievements with media outlets. They build buzz for your restaurant and make it easy for journalists to cover your story. Good press coverage can bring in new guests and build your reputation.
How do I get press for my restaurant?
Start by writing clear, newsworthy press releases about the restaurant’s announcements and sending them through a distribution service. Share high-quality photos, respond quickly to media requests and build relationships with local food writers and bloggers by inviting them to experience your restaurant.
How do you announce a new restaurant opening?
Write a press release for the restaurant that highlights your concept, cuisine and what makes your restaurant unique. Share it with local media, food writers and industry publications through a distribution service. Post the announcement on your social media channels and website to reach potential guests directly.
New openings are a great reason to send a press release, but there are many other opportunities to showcase your restaurant’s news. For more press release ideas, download 10 Newsworthy Reasons to Send a Press Release. You’ll uncover plenty of ideas and strategies to make any type of announcement stand out.