What is Your Competitor Doing? How to Do Restaurant Competitor Analysis with Artificial Intelligence (AI)?

In restaurant management, they say "The neighbor's hen looks like a goose to the neighbor", but sometimes that goose can really be fatter. The reason why the shop next door is full while your hall is empty may not be just the taste of the food.

Previously, to do competitor analysis, you had to go and eat at that restaurant or wait at its door. Now, Artificial Intelligence (AI) agents can scan the digital world for you and X-ray your competitors. By using tools like ChatGPT or Claude, you can find the issues your competitors receive the most complaints about and turn these vulnerabilities to your advantage.

Step 1: Analyzing Competitor Reviews

What are customers saying about your competitors? It is impossible to read thousands of comments one by one, but AI can summarize this in seconds.

How to Do It?

1. Copy the last 20-30 reviews from your competitor's Google Maps or Tripadvisor page.
2. Give the following prompt to the AI.

Example Prompt:

"I am pasting the customer reviews written about my competitor restaurant [Restaurant X] below. Analyze these reviews and report to me: 1. Top 3 issues customers complain about (Weaknesses). 2. Top 3 issues customers like (Strengths). 3. What could be the 'Opportunity Areas' where my business can make a difference?" (Paste reviews here)

AI Answer (Example):

• Weaknesses: "Waiters are very sullen", "Music is too loud", "No vegetarian options".
• Opportunity Area: "Your competitor has a lack of vegetarian options. You can attract this audience by adding a rich vegetarian section to your menu."

Step 2: Menu and Price Comparison

You can have a price analysis done by taking a photo of your competitor's menu and uploading it to AI (Img2Text) or entering their menu as text.

Example Prompt:

"My competitor's Burger price is 450 TL and has a 120gr patty. My Burger is 420 TL and 140gr patty. Using this data, create a competitive but polite marketing slogan that I can share on social media."

AI Answer: "More Flavor, Less Bill! 🍔 Don't pay more for 120gr at the neighbor. With us, 140gr giant patty, at a price that doesn't burn your pocket. Smart choice, real taste."

Step 3: Digital Footprint Analysis

Analyze at what times your competitor shares on social media and which content catches on.

Example Prompt:

"I run a restaurant. I noticed that competitors get the most interaction on Instagram with 'Thursday evenings' and 'live music videos'. What can I do more attractive for Friday evenings as a strategy against this? Give 3 ideas."

AI Answer:

1. Start Happy Hour: If people had fun on Thursday, they want to relax after work on Friday. 20% discount between 17:00-19:00.
2. Quiet Luxury: Highlight the "Calm Dinner" concept for those escaping live music noise.
3. Tasting Menu: Target the gourmet audience with the chef's special tasting plate.

Data-Driven Decision with ZekMenu

If you need to make changes to your menu as a result of AI analyzes (such as adding a dessert that your competitor does not have), you can update your menu in seconds from your ZekMenu panel. By highlighting your new product with the "Chef's Recommendation" tag, you can catch customers fleeing from your competitor.