Opening day is more than a moment — it’s a story you’ll be telling for a lifetime. And in today’s restaurant landscape, your restaurant’s story begins long before guests walk through your doors.

Whether you’re launching your first location or your twentieth, one thing is constant: if you’re not showing up online early, you’re already behind.

That’s why we partnered with Marqii to spotlight the 8 essential digital steps every operator should take before opening a new restaurant. These insights come straight from the field — and from our recent video featuring Ida from Marqii, who walks through each one.

You can watch the full video at the top of this newsletter, or scroll on for the full countdown.

8. Train Your Team on Your Digital Presence

Let’s start where it matters most — your people.

Before opening day, your staff should know:

* Where guests are finding your restaurant (Google, Yelp, Resy, etc.)

* What promotions or specials are live online

* How to answer questions about hours, menus, or ordering

Aligning your digital presence with your in-person hospitality ensures a seamless experience for guests and builds trust from the very first interaction.

7. Make Sure Your Website Is Launch-Ready

Your website doesn’t need to be fancy, but it must be clear, mobile-friendly, and accurate.

Here’s what to check:

* Does it list your new location info?

* Can guests access your current menu?

* Are hours and reservation links easy to find?

* Does it match your listings and social media?

A well-structured website also helps improve your prominence score with search engines, making it easier for guests to discover you organically.

6. Double-Check Holiday and Special Hours

Opening around a holiday or big local event? Update your hours in advance — everywhere.

Platforms like Google prominently display special hours for users, and nothing breaks trust like a guest showing up to a locked door.

Tools like Marqii make it easy to update holiday hours across all listings in just a few clicks.

5. Respond to Early Reviews

Yes, early reviews happen — even before you officially open.

* Soft openings

* Friends and family events

* Walk-bys

They all spark feedback. Responding to these early reviews (good or bad) shows guests you care and helps boost your star rating over time. Studies show operators who engage with reviews see up to a 30% improvement in average ratings.

With Marqii, you can monitor and respond across platforms from one dashboard, with suggested replies to save time and stay on-brand.

4. Build Buzz on Social Media

Start posting before opening day. This is your chance to tell your story and bring your future guests along for the journey.

Some ideas:

* Construction sneak peeks

* Hiring announcements

* Staff introductions

* Menu teases and soft opening invites

* Countdown posts to build anticipation

3. Upload Menus, Specials, and Ordering Links

Your menu is your pitch. It’s also one of the most-clicked elements on your listings.

Make sure to:

* Upload a readable, mobile-optimized version

* Include item photos and category tags

* Highlight dietary options (vegan, gluten-free, etc.)

* Link to your delivery or reservation platforms

Keeping menus up to date also boosts SEO. The more accurate your data, the easier it is for search engines to recommend you to hungry guests nearby.

2. Get Listed Everywhere Your Guests Search

Don’t stop at Google.

Make sure your restaurant is listed (accurately!) on:

* Yelp

* Facebook

* Apple Maps

* TripAdvisor

* Bing

* OpenTable or Resy

* Delivery apps like Uber Eats, DoorDash, or Toast

Here’s the key: Consistency matters. Your name, address, phone number, and hours should match exactly across all platforms — even down to whether you write “Street” or “St.”

With Marqii, you can update and sync all your listings from one centralized dashboard. That means no copy-pasting across the internet.

1. Claim and Set Up Your Google Business Profile

And finally, we’re back where most of your guests will find you first: Google.

Before opening, make sure to:

* Claim or create your Google Business Profile (GBP)

* Mark your location as “Opening Soon”

* Upload key photos and your logo

* Add hours, phone number, website, and menu links

Pro Tip: Upload your menu directly to your Google profile — it’s one of the most important ranking signals for restaurants in 2026 and beyond.

Your Google presence is more than a listing. It’s the front door to your digital brand.

READ MORE HERE ON OUR SUBSTACK

Ready to Open With Confidence?

A successful restaurant launch today requires both an on-site and online strategy. If your digital house is in order, you’ll start building trust (and traffic) before you serve a single plate.

Watch the full video with Ida from Marqii at the top of this page for a walkthrough of these 8 steps — and consider sharing it with your team as a launch-day checklist.

Pre‑Opening Digital Checklist

* Claim and optimize your Google Business Profile

* List your restaurant across key platforms

* Upload menus and ordering links

* Build buzz on social media

* Stay on top of reviews

* Update special/holiday hours

* Ensure your website aligns with your listings

* Train staff on your digital presence

If you’re looking for support: Marqii helps hospitality operators manage listings, menus, social, and reviews from one easy-to-use platform — with accuracy, speed, and serious hospitality DNA.

A Note About Our Sponsor

At Cali BBQ Media, we’re grateful to work with partners like Marqii who help us amplify the voices of restaurant leaders and share the tools that actually move our industry forward.

Every company we feature is one we believe in — and who believes in us.

Marqii has consistently shown up for hospitality operators with innovation, transparency, and heart.

Thank you for supporting our work. We’ll keep showing up, telling stories, and sharing insights that matter — because we know how much is on the line in this industry.

Shawn P. WalchefFounder, Cali BBQ Media

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit restauranttechnology.substack.com