It's said that you eat with your eyes first, and this is especially true in the age of social media. Now, new research from restaurant furniture experts Affordable Seating has revealed the most Instagrammable restaurant chains.
Affordable Seating’s research analyzed over 5,778,000 Instagram posts featuring restaurant-specific hashtags for America’s most popular restaurant chains. These were then ranked to determine which restaurant chain is the most popular on Instagram.
“Analyzing the top restaurant chains through Instagram hashtags offers a valuable glimpse into the relationship between restaurants and social media influence,” said Zach Kanoff, SVP of Chain Accounts for Affordable Seating. “It's not surprising that these top chain restaurants are popular on Instagram. Social media, especially platforms like Instagram, thrive on visually appealing content, and these restaurants often invest in creating eye-catching dishes and aesthetically pleasing dining experiences.”
Here’s how the top 10 most Instagrammable chain restaurants stack up.
10. Red Robin Gourmet Burgers
In tenth place is Red Robin Gourmet Burgers, with just 12,900 hashtags. As their aim is to create a lively and family-friendly restaurant, the layout is designed for all the family with a combination of booths and tables, providing options for both intimate and larger group dining.
9. Chili’s Grill and Bar
Ninth place goes to Chili’s Grill and Bar, which appears in 24,300 posts on Instagram. Their interior often incorporates Southwestern and Tex-Mex elements, such as artwork, murals, and decorative items that reflect the restaurant's cuisine theme. They also have a bold and vibrant color scheme, including shades of red, brown, and green, which contributes to the restaurant's lively atmosphere.
8. Longhorn Steakhouse
With 75,300 posts on Instagram, Longhorn Steakhouse is in eighth place. They are another restaurant known for their Western-themed decor, frequently displaying paintings and sculptures that celebrate the spirit of the American West. They also feature wood and stone accents, which create a sense of warmth and authenticity.
7. The Cheesecake Factory
The Cheesecake Factory cracks six figures with 153,000 Instagram posts to take seventh. Their color scheme typically includes warm tones such as gold, brown, and cream, which contributes to a cozy and inviting atmosphere. There are also nods to Ancient Greece in features like its large pillars, and the restaurants also have spacious dining areas with high ceilings, creating an open and airy feeling.
6. Outback Steakhouse
Aussie-themed restaurant Outback Steakhouse comes in at sixth place with 248,000 Instagram posts. Their interior design reflects the Australian Outback, featuring indigenous artwork and rustic materials like wood and stone inspired by the rugged landscapes of Australia. The lighting is often dim, creating a relaxed and intimate dining experience.
5. Texas Roadhouse
Texas Roadhouse comes in at the middle of the list with hashtags for the restaurant appearing in 427,000 posts. They embrace a Western and ranch-style theme with their interior often furnished with wooden tables and chairs, contributing to the rustic and country-style aesthetic. This use of natural materials helps create a warm and inviting atmosphere while neon signs and trophy mounts round out the aesthetic.
4. Buffalo Wild Wings
Taking the fourth spot is Buffalo Wild Wings with a total of 544,000 Instagram posts. As they are a sports bar, their walls are adorned with sports memorabilia and large-screen TVs to promote a sports-centric theme. Interestingly, the layout is often open, making it easy for patrons to move around and enjoy the various amenities, including the bar, gaming areas, and dining spaces.
3. Applebee’s
The third most popular restaurant chain on Instagram is Applebee’s with 777,000 posts. They feature a mix of contemporary and casual decor with a focus on comfort, with seating options including a combination of booths and tables to accommodate all group sizes.
2. Olive Garden
Coming in second is Olive Garden featuring in 881,000 Instagram posts with its recognizable Tuscan-themed design. The restaurants typically use warm, earthy tones in their interior design, such as olive green, tan, and brown. These colors contribute to a comfortable and inviting ambiance for a cozy family-friendly dining experience.
1. TGI Fridays
Topping the list of most Instagrammable restaurant chains is TGI Fridays, with 1,300,000 posts. Known for their iconic red and white striped interior, the restaurants also feature memorabilia and eclectic artwork on their walls. The lighting is typically designed to be warm and inviting, with pendant lights, chandeliers, and other decorative lighting used to create a lively atmosphere.
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