Exploring Viral Marketing Strategies in the Restaurant Industry: A phenomenological study

Authors

  • Ana Batrisyia Azman Faculty of Hotel and Tourism Management, Universiti Teknologi MARA, Puncak Alam, Malaysia
  • Mohd Aliff Abdul Majid Faculty of Hotel and Tourism Management, Universiti Teknologi MARA, Puncak Alam, Malaysia
  • Ahmad Shakani Abdullah Faculty of Business, Economics and Accountancy, Universiti Malaysia Sabah, Kota Kinabalu, Sabah, Malaysia
  • Muhammad Afnan Mahusain Faculty of Social Sciences and Leisure Management, Taylor’s University, Selangor, Malaysia
  • Khairun Najihah Sabri Faculty of Food Science and Technology, Universiti Putra Malaysia, Serdang, Selangor, Malaysia

Keywords:

Viral Marketing, Social media, Cost effectiveness, Brand awareness

Abstract

This study explores viral marketing's impact on the restaurant industry, employing a phenomenological, qualitative approach. In-depth interviews with restaurant operators revealed social media's pivotal role, highlighting its cost-effectiveness and broad reach. The research investigated various viral elements like campaigns, visuals, and hashtags, as well as influencer marketing and word-of-mouth. Findings emphasize viral marketing as a potent brand promotion tool, underscoring the importance of building connections and trust through personalized content. This study offers practical insights for restaurant entrepreneurs, advocating adaptable marketing strategies. Future research should further explore the interplay of social media, word-of-mouth, and influencer marketing in this dynamic sector.

References

Alalwan, A. A., Rana, N. P., Dwivedi, Y. K., & Algharabat, R. S. (2017). Social media in marketing: a review and analysis of the existing literature. Telematics and Informatics, 34(7), 1177-1190. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tele.2017.05.008

Ampountolas, A., Shaw, G., & James, S. (2019). The role of social media as a distribution channel for promoting pricing strategies. Journal of Hospitality and Tourism Insights, 2(1), 75-91. http://dx.doi.org/10.1108/JHTI-07-2018-0040

Baber, R., & Baber, P. (2022). Influence of social media marketing efforts, e-reputation and destination image on intention to visit among tourists: application of S-O-R model. Journal of Hospitality and Tourism Insights. https://doi.org/10.1108/JHTI-06-2022-0270

Bennett, T. (2017). Marketing Strategies: How Small Restaurant Businesses use Social Media. [Walden University Dissertations and Doctoral Studies]. 3429. https://scholarworks.waldenu.edu/dissertations/3429

Burton, N., & McClean, C. (2021). Exploring newsjacking as social media–based ambush marketing. Sport, Business and Management, 11(2), 143-163. http://dx.doi.org/10.1108/SBM-12-2019-0116

Dabas, S., Sharma, S., & Manaktola, K. (2021). Adoption of digital marketing tools in independent businesses: experiences of restaurant entrepreneurs in India and United Kingdom. Worldwide Hospitality and Tourism Themes, 13(2), 214-235. http://dx.doi.org/10.1108/WHATT-09-2020-0120

Dossena, C., Mochi, F., Bissola, R., & Imperatori, B. (2021). Restaurants and social media: rethinking organizational capabilities and individual competencies. Journal of Tourism Futures, 7(1), 20-39. http://dx.doi.org/10.1108/JTF-06-2019-0050

Eric & Paramita, S. (2020). Viral Marketing Model Through Digital Content. Proceedings of the 2nd Tarumanagara International Conference on the Applications of Social Sciences and Humanities (TICASH 2020), 478, 431-434. https://doi.org/10.2991/assehr.k.201209.066

Ferguson, R. (2008). Word of mouth and viral marketing: taking the temperature of the hottest trends in marketing. Journal of consumer marketing, 25(3), 179- 182. https://doi.org/10.1108/07363760810870671

Gambetti, A., & Han, Q. (2022). Camera eats first: exploring food aesthetics portrayed on social media using deep learning. International Journal of Contemporary Hospitality Management, 34(111), 3300-3331. http://dx.doi.org/10.1108/IJCHM-09-2021-1206

Han, W., Ozdemir, O., & Agarwal, S. (2023). Linking social media marketing to restaurant performance – the moderating role of advertising expenditure. Journal of Hospitality and Tourism Insights, 1-19. https://doi.org/10.1108/JHTI-03-2023-0217

Kaplan A. M., & Haenlein M. (2011). Two hearts in three-quarter time: How to waltz the Social Media/Viral Marketing dance. Business Horizons, 54(3), 253-263. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.bushor.2011.01.006

Khan F. M., & Jan, D. A. (2015). Social Media and Social Media Marketing: A Literature Review. IOSR Journal of Business and Management (IOSR-JBM), 17(11), 12-15. https://doi.org/10.9790/487X-171111215

Kim, D., & Jang, S.S. (2018). Online sharing behavior on social networking sites: examining narcissism and gender effects. International Journal of Hospitality Management, 68, 89-93. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.ijhm.2017.09.015

Kwok, L., Lee, J. & Han, S. H. (2022). Crisis communication on social media: what types of Covid-19 messages get the attention? Cornell Hospitality Quarterly, 63(4), 528-543. https://doi.org/10.1177/19389655211028143

Le, T. T., Tuyet, N. B. T., Anh, T. L., Kim, N. D. T., Thai, N. T. T., & Lan, A. N. (2023). The effects of online restaurant menus on consumer purchase intention: evidence from an emerging economy. British Food Journal, 125(7), 2663-2679. https://doi.org/10.1108/bfj-10-2022-0916

Li, H., Chen, Q-X., Liang, S., & Yang, J-J. (2022). The power of internet exposure: influence of online news coverage on restaurant survival. International Journal of Contemporary Hospitality Management, 34(4), 1399-1422. http://dx.doi.org/10.1108/IJCHM-08-2021-1018

Line, N. D., Hanks, L., & Dogru, T. (2020). A reconsideration of the EWOM construct in restaurant research: what are we really measuring? International Journal of Contemporary Hospitality Management, 32(11), 3479-3500. http://dx.doi.org/10.1108/IJCHM-06-2020-0561

Mangold W. G, & Faulds D.J., (2009). Social Media: The New Hybrid Element of the promotion mix. Business Horizons, 52, 357-365. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.bushor.2009.03.002

Oliveira, T., Araujo, B., & Tam, C. (2020). Why do people share their travel experiences on social media? Tourism Management, 78, 1-5. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tourman.2019.104041

Öztamur, D., & Karakadılar, İ. S. (2014). Exploring the role of social media for SMEs: as a new marketing strategy tool for the firm performance perspective. Procedia-Social and Behavioral Sciences, 150, 511-520. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.sbspro.2014.09.067

Puriwat, W., & Tripopsakul, S. (2021). The Role of Viral Marketing in Social Media on Brand Recognition and Preference. Emerging Science Journal, 5(6), 855-867. http://dx.doi.org/10.28991/esj-2021-01315

Sabri, O. (2021). Is self-mockery in advertising copywriting an efficient strategy to build brand closeness and purchase intention? Journal of Consumer Marketing, 38(7), 813-827. http://dx.doi.org/10.1108/JCM-09-2020-4100

Scott, D. M. (2012). The New Rules of Marketing & PR (2nd ed.) John Wiley & Sons, Inc. https://shorturl.at/kABU3

Published

2026-01-27

How to Cite

Azman , A. B., Abdul Majid , M. A., Abdullah , A. S., Mahusain, M. A., & Sabri , K. N. (2026). Exploring Viral Marketing Strategies in the Restaurant Industry: A phenomenological study. Environment-Behaviour Proceedings Journal, 10(SI43). Retrieved from https://ebpj.e-iph.co.uk/index.php/EBProceedings/article/view/7720