The Best Types of OOH Advertising for Restaurants

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In the restaurant industry, visibility matters. Whether you’re opening a new location, promoting a limited-time menu item, or simply trying to stay top-of-mind, out-of-home (OOH) advertising can help drive foot traffic and increase brand awareness.

The key is choosing the right format. Different types of OOH advertising serve different purposes, and the most successful restaurant campaigns often combine several formats to reach customers throughout their day.

Here’s a look at the best types of OOH advertising for restaurants.

01

Billboards

Traditional billboards remain one of the most effective ways to build awareness for restaurants. Placed along major highways and busy commuter routes, billboards can introduce your restaurant to thousands of potential customers every day.

Especially effective for

New restaurant openings
Regional chain expansion
Seasonal menu promotions
Brand awareness campaigns
Keep your design simple. A strong food image, memorable headline, logo, and location are often all you need.
02

Digital Billboards

Digital billboards give restaurants more flexibility than static displays. Creative can be updated quickly to promote:

Breakfast, lunch, or dinner specials
Happy hour promotions
Limited-time offers
Holiday menus
Community events
Because digital boards rotate multiple advertisers, they can also provide a cost-effective entry point for restaurants with smaller marketing budgets.
03

Transit Advertising

Restaurants located in cities or busy downtown districts can benefit significantly from transit advertising.

Options include

Bus shelters
Transit station displays
Bus wraps
Light rail advertising

These placements reach pedestrians, commuters, and visitors who are often looking for nearby dining options.

04

Street Furniture

Street furniture advertising places your restaurant directly in front of people walking through shopping districts, entertainment areas, and business centers.

Common formats

Bus shelters
Kiosks
Information panels
Urban digital displays

These placements are particularly valuable for quick-service restaurants, cafés, bakeries, and casual dining concepts that rely on nearby foot traffic.

05

Digital Place-Based Screens

Digital screens inside retail stores, convenience stores, gas stations, and entertainment venues allow restaurants to reach consumers while they’re already making purchasing decisions.

Works especially well for

Mobile ordering promotions
Loyalty programs
New menu launches
Limited-time discounts
06

Airport Advertising

For restaurants near airports or those looking to reach business travelers and tourists, airport advertising offers premium exposure.

Large-format displays, digital screens, baggage claim advertising, and terminal signage help build awareness among high-income audiences with time to notice advertising.

07

Geographically Targeted Campaigns

One of OOH’s greatest strengths is location targeting. Restaurants don’t always need a nationwide campaign. Instead, they can focus advertising around:

Individual store locations
Delivery zones
New markets
Competitor locations
Event venues

This allows budgets to work harder by reaching the audiences most likely to visit.

Ready to Put Your Restaurant on the Map?

Whether you’re promoting a single location or launching a nationwide campaign, BillboardsIn makes it easy to find, compare, and book billboard advertising across the U.S. Explore thousands of available placements, compare pricing, and start reaching hungry customers where they’ll see you most.

Find a Billboard for Your Restaurant