Judy is playing chess while the rest of the family restaurants out there are playing checkers.
Social media marketing has become an incredibly important aspect of running a business in the last decade or so. The days of a potential customer finding out about an eatery through a magazine or the YellowPages are LONG GONE. Now? It’s all about creating content that is both entertaining and encourages those online to seek out your business.
No one knows that better than Judy from Judy’s Family Cafe in Galesburg, Illinois.
If you are to visit the website for Judy’s Family Cafe, you’ll first be greeted with cartoon images of eggs, bacon and toast holding hands with each other. That’s what breakfast is all about. Then, the locally owned Illinois restaurant describes itself as the following:
“Whether you’re craving a classic American breakfast or some mouth-watering Chinese cuisine, we’ve got you covered! We’re a family-owned spot that’s all about good vibes, great food, and even better company.”
Breakfast food and Chinese cuisine? That’s one hell of a combo.
What they really seem to specialize in, at least if you take a look at what Judy’s Family Cafe is doing on social media, is pancakes. One could also make an argument that Judy’s specialty is making riveting marketing content around the restaurant’s pancakes, as you’ll see in this video:
17 million views on that one. And folks… that’s just the tip of the iceberg.
If you liked that weird pancake promotion, just wait until you see this next one. From what I can tell, this is one of Judy’s more popular social media posts, and I’ve got to hand it to her… she and her social media team got pretty creative with this one:
Over 4 million views… Give Judy the Academy Award for best actress PRONTO.
Judy’s Family Cafe also likes to tap into the more topical events with their advertisements, like this one that provides some hilarious commentary on the rising cost of eggs. A customer orders three eggs, and Judy comes back with the bill… which is a 20-year payment plan with 12% interest:
So are you all in on Judy’s Family Cafe now like I am, or what?
If you aren’t entirely convinced just yet, I’ll direct you to yet another entertaining video that Judy crafted. In this one, she followed the meme-marketing format of borrowing from an existing video and spinning it into something that promotes her own business. Judy also alluded to the Kendrick Lamar halftime show from the Super Bowl, which was certainly a tasteful cultural nod:
You might be watching all of these and asking yourself, “What does any of this really have to do with pancake promotion?”
Well, all of Judy’s efforts are working, and Judy’s hot cakes are selling… like hot cakes. From some of the comments below her post, people are driving hours and making day trips just to witness the greatness that is Judy’s Family Cafe:
“My son and I drove 2.5 hours to Judy’s this morning. We got to meet her and take a picture with her. The pancakes were excellent!”
“Guys do I drive 3.5 hrs to have Judy’s pancakes?”
“My mom and I drove 5 hours! We saw judy and took a photo with her. Thank you for the best pancakes!
“I’m about to fly across the country for some Judy’s.”
“Real question… do I drive a day and 4 hours to try Judy’s?”
Whatever Judy is doing might seem weird, but it’s working. Though I might not ever step foot inside Judy’s Family Cafe, you best believe I’m a loyal follower on social media – as many others are. I’ve got to stay up to date on all of the latest antics.
Speaking of, I’ll leave you with this one… it’s not pancake related, but it just might be the most unhinged promo that the restaurant marketing world has ever seen:
Feeding POP-ITS to chickens? And having an explosion act as a transition to fresh chicken cooking on the grill? Absolutely stunning. No notes, Judy. Just remarkable stuff. Keep up the good work…
The post Small Town Illinois Cafe Is Going Mega Viral Because Judy Is A Stone Cold Killer At Social Media first appeared on Whiskey Riff.