Become Your Own Influencer

Session details:

The most powerful voice for your restaurant isn't a food blogger or lifestyle influencer—it's you.

Forward-thinking restaurant operators are discovering that building their own social media presence delivers better ROI than traditional influencer partnerships. By creating authentic content that showcases their expertise, personality, and behind-the-scenes stories, they're attracting customers who are already invested before they walk through the door.

This approach has proven especially powerful for new ventures. Tony Scardino, the trained pizzaiolo behind Chicago's Professor Pizza (@professorpizza), built a dedicated following on Instagram before opening his first location, ensuring strong demand from day one.

In this session, he’ll share how to:

• Generate buzz and a loyal following. 
• Curate content that actually drives foot traffic, reservations, and sales.
• Have an authenticity edge that traditional influencers can't match, and how to leverage your expertise and behind-the-scenes access.
• Create consistent content without burning out or hiring a full production team.
• Turn your social media presence into measurable business results and build a community that keeps coming back.

Stop waiting for influencers to notice you. Learn how to build your brand, own your narrative, and create a marketing asset that grows more valuable every day.