How to Set Yourself Up for Success BEFORE a Grand Opening
Opening a new restaurant is exciting—new team members, a new neighborhood to feed, and the smell of fresh paint (and hopefully, fresh-baked bread). But long before the “We’re Open!” sign goes up, there’s a whole lot of behind-the-scenes work to make sure your new spot shows up in search results, gets buzz online, and welcomes guests through the doors on day one.
We’re talking about your digital presence. Because even the best new restaurant in town can’t get busy if no one knows it exists.
So, whether this is your second location or your twentieth, this guide will walk you through the digital steps to take before opening day, so your restaurant shows up online, looks great, and makes a strong first impression.
This is your friendly guide to digital prep, complete with restaurant opening tips and a checklist for opening a restaurant that your future self will thank you for.
Why Early Digital Setup Matters
When your team is heads-down on construction, permitting, hiring, and sourcing ingredients, it’s easy to push digital tasks to the back burner. But here's the thing: Google, Yelp, and other platforms need time to process new location data.
That means:
- You can get listed as “Coming Soon,” helping people in the area discover you before the doors even open.
- Search engines start indexing your business earlier, which helps you climb the local SEO ranks faster.
- Your menu, hours, and photos are accurate from the jump, so no one shows up during a soft open expecting a full brunch menu.
In short, starting your digital efforts early helps you build excitement, get found, and deliver a great guest experience before they even walk in the door.
The Digital Restaurant Opening Checklist
Here’s your step-by-step digital prep list to follow before the grand opening. Consider this your go-to restaurant opening checklist when it comes to being visible, accurate, and search-friendly online.
1. Claim and Set Up Your Google Business Profile (GBP)
Your Google Business Profile is one of the most important assets for your new restaurant location.
Do this at least a month before opening:
- Claim the listing (or create a new one).
- Mark it as “Opening Soon” so it shows up with a “Coming Soon” banner in search.
- Add hours of operation (and remember to update them before opening).
- Upload high-quality photos of your space, logo, and eventually, your food.
- Include your website, menu link, and phone number—even if it’s just a temporary page.
Pro tip: Google now allows menu uploads directly to your profile, and it’s one of the top-ranking factors for restaurants in 2025. Don’t skip it.
2. Get Listed Across the Web
Google isn’t the only place your guests are searching. Make sure you’re listed on:
- Yelp
- Apple Maps
- TripAdvisor
- OpenTable or Resy (if applicable)
- Bing
- Uber Eats, DoorDash, or Toast if you offer delivery
The key is consistency. Your name, address, phone number (NAP), and hours should match exactly across every listing. (Yes, that means “St.” vs “Street” matters.)
If this sounds overwhelming, Marqii can help you update all your listings from one dashboard.
3. Add Menus, Specials, and Ordering Links
People want to know what to expect before they try something new. That’s why menu views are often the most-clicked element on a listing.
Make sure to:
- Upload a mobile-friendly, readable menu with categories and prices.
- Include photos if possible.
- Link to your ordering platform (delivery, pickup, reservations).
- Highlight any menu attribution tags (gluten-free, vegan, etc.) to improve SEO.
Pro tip: Keeping your menu up to date also helps your restaurant rank higher in search. If you’re adding or changing specials, make sure they’re reflected on your listings.
4. Build Buzz on Social Media
Don’t wait until the opening to post your first photo. Social media is your chance to build anticipation and show personality.
Here’s what to share:
- Construction or behind-the-scenes photos
- Hiring announcements
- Staff introductions
- Menu sneak peeks
- Soft opening invites
- Countdown posts leading up to opening day
And don’t forget to tag your location and relevant local hashtags. You’re not just opening a restaurant—you’re joining a community.
Fun Fact: Not only can you manage your listings and menu with Marqii, you can also manage and schedule your social media posts right from the dashboard. This means only having to log into one place to complete everything you need before opening.
5. Respond to Early Reviews (Yes, Even Before You Open)
It’s common to get early reviews during soft opens, preview events, or even from construction walk-bys. Whether they’re 5 stars or…less than that, be sure to respond quickly and professionally.
Why it matters:
- Engagement shows guests you care.
- Responding to reviews can improve your average star rating by up to 30%.
- Guests are more likely to support businesses that respond to negative reviews (45% more likely, in fact).
Need help keeping up with reviews across all platforms? Marqii centralizes them into one dashboard and even offers suggested responses to save you time and protect your brand voice.
6. Double-Check Holiday Hours and Special Hours
Opening around a holiday or special event? Don’t forget to update your holiday hours in advance.
Many platforms, including Google, highlight special hours so customers aren’t left guessing—or worse, showing up to a closed door.
Even better: platforms like Marqii let you update hours across all your listings at once, so you never have to go platform by platform.
7. Make Sure Your Website Is Launch-Ready
Your website doesn’t have to be fancy, but it does need to:
- Include your new location details
- Link to your menu, reservations, or ordering platforms
- Be mobile-friendly and fast-loading
- Match the info on your listings
A well-optimized website helps with your prominence score in search rankings and makes your brand look more polished and professional.
8. Train Your Team on Your Digital Presence
Your staff should know:
- Where your guests are finding you (Google, Yelp, etc.)
- What promotions or specials are being advertised online
- How to answer questions about hours, menus, and ordering options
This ensures a seamless experience between your online presence and in-person hospitality.
Ready to Set Your Digital Table?
Opening a new restaurant is a lot of work, but getting your digital house in order doesn’t have to be.
At Marqii, we help hospitality brands save time and stay consistent by centralizing their listings, menus, and reviews into one easy-to-use dashboard. Whether you’re opening your second location or your 200th, we’ve got the tools to make sure your guests can find you, trust you, and love you before they ever take a bite.
Want help getting your new location launch-ready? Schedule a demo with Marqii today.
TL;DR: Your Pre-Opening Digital Checklist
- Claim and set up your Google Business Profile
- Add your new location across all major listing platforms
- Upload your menu and ordering links
- Start posting on social media to build buzz
- Monitor and respond to early reviews
- Update holiday and special hours
- Launch or update your website
- Train your team to stay in the loop
You’ve got this—and Marqii’s here to make it even easier.
