Thinking about hiring a marketing leader for your restaurant? It’s tempting, especially if marketing isn’t your strong suit. But finding the right person can be tricky. Go too junior, and they’ll need a lot of hand-holding. Aim too senior, and they might focus more on strategy than getting their hands dirty with day-to-day tasks.

Then there are agencies. They promise the world in marketing expertise, but unless you’re fluent in marketing lingo, they might struggle to really understand your unique restaurant vibe.

Seven Signs Your Restaurant Needs a Fractional CMO

1. Lack of Leadership & Organization: If your marketing team feels like it’s lacking direction and structure, a fractional CMO can step in to provide leadership, streamline activities, and even assist in hiring new talent.
2. Un-elevated Brand Positioning: Feeling like your brand isn’t standing out against competitors? A fractional CMO collaborates with your team to refine your brand image and develop cohesive messaging that resonates with your audience.
3. Underutilized Data: You’ve got customer data, but you’re unsure how to leverage it effectively. A fractional CMO can conduct an audit, uncover actionable insights from your data, and implement strategies to optimize customer engagement.
4. Need for Fresh Perspectives: Your marketing strategies feel stagnant, and past successes aren’t delivering the same impact. A fractional CMO brings a fresh outlook, drawing from experience across various industries to innovate and adapt strategies for your restaurant’s growth.
5. Lack of Strategic Guidance: If your current marketing strategy lacks direction or needs more executive-level oversight than you have time to provide, a fractional CMO can step in and provide that strategic leadership.
6. Scaling Without a Full-Time Commitment: Perhaps your business isn’t ready to commit to a full-time Head of Marketing. A Fractional CMO can allow you to test the waters first and make sure you know what you’re looking for in that leader before you commit fully.
7. Overwhelmed Marketing Team: Is your team struggling to meet deadlines or feeling overwhelmed? A fractional CMO sets clear expectations, prioritizes tasks, and ensures your marketing efforts remain focused and effective.