Awesome New Google Business Profile Feature: “What’s Happening”
Want a free and easy way to promote and attract guests for things happening at your restaurant?
Google has introduced a “What’s Happening” section for restaurant and bar Business Profiles, allowing you to showcase events, specials, and promotions right at the top of your listing in search results.
This is currently available for single-location food and drink businesses in the US, UK, AU, CA, and NZ.
To utilize it, just post event updates directly through Google Posts on your profile.
Yes—you can sync your Facebook, Instagram, or X accounts for auto-updates, but it's better, faster, and more reliable if you post directly. Don’t be a lazy marketer.
I already implemented this for Handcraft Burgers and Brew —took less than five minutes!
It’s a quick, effective way to promote both one-off events and recurring specials like Taco Tuesdays, Happy Hours, or in our case—our National Hamburger Day promo.
Big props to Google for rolling out free tools that help restaurants get discovered and drive traffic.
If you’re in Chicago this week, let’s hook it up!
There are two events happening where real restaurant marketing conversations are going down—and I’ll be at both.
📍 Marketing Executives Group (MEG) — May 15–16
I’m moderating a roundtable on Marketing Strategies for New Restaurant Openings (along with super marketer Christopher J. Ramirez) If you’re launching a new store or trying to build momentum from day one, this session’s for you.
📍 National Restaurant Show — May 17–20
🎤 I’m speaking on the panel “Your Marketing Questions Answered” on Tuesday, May 20 at 10:30 AM with Bryan Meredith, Kelly Grogan & Sharyn Knight!
We’ll dig into what’s actually working in restaurant marketing—from local SEO and review strategy to retention and third-party app tactics by answering YOUR marketing questions!
🎙️ I’m also recording episodes of The Restaurants Grow Podcast live from the show floor. If you're a restaurant marketer or a vendor with something operators need to hear—DM me.
Let’s talk about getting you on the show!
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Have marketing questions? Send me an email rev@brandedstrategic.net
- Rev Ciancio
WHAT DOES REV DO?
*I help restaurants to build guest marketing programs.
*I help hospitality tech companies with lead generation and content marketing.