The Harsh Truth: Your Competitors Are Winning Because They Have More Reviews

Think about it: when a customer searches for a restaurant, they see a list of options on Google Maps. Some places have hundreds of reviews, while others barely have fifty.

Which restaurant do you think they’ll choose?

The reality is, Google reviews drive foot traffic. More reviews mean more credibility, better visibility in search rankings, and ultimately, more customers walking through your doors. If you know this already, the real question is:

Why aren’t you getting more Google reviews?

The Cost of Inaction: Every Day Without Reviews Hurts Your Business

Many restaurant owners underestimate the impact of their Google review count. If you have fewer reviews than your competitors, you’re losing potential customers before they even visit.

• Reviews = Trust: A restaurant with 500+ reviews feels “safe” to try. One with 50? Not so much.

• Reviews Affect Rankings: Google prioritizes restaurants with more reviews and recent activity in search results.

• Reviews Influence Revenue: A Harvard Business School study found that a one-star increase in rating can lead to a 5-9% increase in revenue.

Not actively growing your Google reviews is the same as turning away customers at the door.

The Real Reason Restaurants Fail at Google Reviews

If you know reviews are important, why aren’t you getting more? Here are the three most common myths holding restaurant owners back:

❌ "Our food should speak for itself."

Reality: Great food is essential, but if new customers don’t feel confident about trying your restaurant, they’ll never know how great your food is. Customers trust reviews more than your menu.

❌ "Customers will leave reviews if they love us."

Reality: The vast majority of happy customers won’t leave a review unless they’re asked. The people most likely to leave unprompted reviews? Unhappy customers.

❌ "We don’t have time to ask for reviews."

Reality: You don’t have time not to. Restaurants that automate review requests see 15-20% of customers respond. The right system does the work for you.

How to Get More Google Reviews (Without Overloading Your Staff)

Yes, you could ask your staff to push for reviews, but let’s be honest—when service is in full swing, they have zero bandwidth to remember. Here’s a more effective approach:

1. The Quick Fix: A Short Sprint with Staff Incentives (Best for an Immediate Boost)

If your review count is way behind your competitors, a short, high-intensity push can help.

• Run a two-week review drive with a small incentive for staff members who get the most reviews (e.g., bonus, meal perks).

• Set up QR codes at tables and check-out with a simple message: "Enjoyed your meal? Leave us a quick review!"

This is not a long-term solution, but it can help quickly close the gap if you’re behind.

2. The Sustainable Approach: Automate Review Requests at Every Touchpoint

The best way to get consistent Google reviews without extra effort is to build them into your customer journey.

Automated Review Invitations (With a 15-20% Response Rate!):

• Reservations → Send a review request after the visit.

• Loyalty/CRM → Encourage frequent customers to leave feedback.

• Online Ordering → Include a review request in post-order follow-ups.

Customers are already engaging with you digitally—this is the easiest way to capture reviews without relying on staff.

3. Turn Negative Reviews into a Win

Bad reviews aren’t the end of the world—ignoring them is.

• Reply professionally to every negative review.

• Invite the customer back for a better experience.

• Encourage more positive reviews to drown out occasional bad ones.

A well-handled negative review can convert an unhappy guest into a returning customer.

The Solution: Build a System That Grows Your Reviews on Autopilot

You already know Google reviews drive more customers. Now it's time to act.

The easiest way to make this happen? Work with the right partner.

Oddle helps restaurants capture customer data at every touchpoint through:

• Oddle Reserve (Reservations) → Automates review requests after visits.

• Oddle Online Ordering → Sends follow-up review invitations after delivery or pickup.

• Oddle Loyalty → Captures every diner’s information and helps drive repeat engagement.

We don’t just help you get reviews—we help you build a customer database, increase repeat visits, and grow your business.

Stop waiting. Start winning. Let’s talk about how Oddle can help you grow your restaurant today.