Free 15-Point Restaurant Marketing Audit Checklist
What's Inside
About This 15-Point Marketing Audit
Before you improve your marketing, you need to know where you stand. This audit scores your restaurant across 15 dimensions: Google presence, social media health, review management, website performance, email marketing, local SEO, content quality, branding consistency, paid advertising readiness, competitor positioning, menu presentation, photography quality, customer journey, analytics setup, and conversion optimization. Each dimension gets a 1-10 score and a note on what a low score usually means.
Who Should Use This 15-Point Marketing Audit?
Restaurant owners with some digital presence who aren't sure what's working. A good starting point before investing in marketing services or tools.
Quick Start Guide
- 1Set aside 15 minutes of uninterrupted time
- 2Score each of the 15 dimensions honestly (1-10)
- 3Read the notes for your lowest scores
- 4Use the priority order to decide what to fix first
The Resource
How to Score
Rate each dimension from 1-10 based on the criteria below. A score of 7+ means you're performing well. 4-6 means there's clear room for improvement. Below 4 means this area needs immediate attention. Be honest — the value of this audit comes from identifying real gaps.
The 15-Point Audit
| # | Dimension | Score 1-10 | What 10/10 Looks Like |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Google Business Profile | ___ | Claimed, verified, 20+ photos, 50+ reviews, weekly posts, all attributes filled |
| 2 | Website Quality | ___ | Mobile-friendly, loads in <3s, online menu, online ordering, clear CTAs |
| 3 | Social Media Presence | ___ | 3+ posts/week, consistent branding, engaged followers, Reels/video content |
| 4 | Online Reviews | ___ | 4.5+ avg rating, 100+ reviews, every review responded to within 48 hours |
| 5 | Menu Presentation | ___ | Professional photos for every dish, clear descriptions, strategic pricing |
| 6 | Email Marketing | ___ | 500+ subscribers, monthly sends, 20%+ open rate, automated welcome series |
| 7 | Local SEO | ___ | Top 3 in Google Maps for your cuisine + neighborhood, consistent NAP across directories |
| 8 | Photography Quality | ___ | Professional-grade food photos, consistent style, well-lit, appetizing |
| 9 | Branding Consistency | ___ | Same logo/colors/fonts across all platforms, cohesive visual identity |
| 10 | Delivery Platform Presence | ___ | Listed on major platforms, optimized photos/descriptions, 4.5+ rating |
| 11 | Content Quality | ___ | Original content, storytelling, behind-the-scenes, customer spotlights |
| 12 | Competitor Positioning | ___ | Clear differentiator, unique selling proposition, not blending in |
| 13 | Customer Journey | ___ | Clear path from discovery → visit/order → repeat → referral |
| 14 | Analytics & Tracking | ___ | Google Analytics active, review insights monthly, data-informed decisions |
| 15 | Paid Advertising | ___ | Running targeted local ads, tracking ROI, A/B testing creative |
Scoring Your Results
| Total Score | Rating | What It Means |
|---|---|---|
| 120-150 | Digital Leader | You're ahead of 90% of restaurants. Focus on optimization and innovation. |
| 90-119 | Strong Foundation | Core presence is solid. Fill the gaps in your lowest-scoring areas. |
| 60-89 | Building Momentum | You have the basics but significant opportunities exist. Prioritize top 3 weakest areas. |
| Below 60 | Needs Attention | Start with the Digital Growth Checklist and focus on Google Business + one social platform. |
Priority Action Plan
- 1Circle your 3 lowest-scoring dimensions — these are your priorities for the next 30 days
- 2For each priority area, write down one specific action you can take this week
- 3Set a calendar reminder to re-audit in 90 days and compare scores
- 4Share your scores with your team — accountability accelerates improvement
Frequently Asked Questions
Each of the 15 dimensions is scored on a 1-10 scale. Your total maps to a rough grade band with notes on what typically needs attention at that level.
Yes — it's designed for self-assessment. Each dimension has clear criteria so you can score honestly without outside help.
Quarterly is a reasonable cadence — enough time for changes to show up, not so long that problems compound.
15-Point Marketing Audit
Interactive Checklist · 15 min audit
Related Resources
View allDigital Growth Checklist
A 30-day, week-by-week plan to get a restaurant's digital presence in order.
Social Media Marketing Guide
A restaurant social media playbook — content strategy, posting cadence, and paid ads.
Cost Control Checklist
Track food, labor, and overhead costs systematically instead of by feel.