The way customers find establishments is evolving rapidly. Nearly 90% of businesses are concerned about losing their online visibility, as artificial intelligence tools (such as conversational search engines) disrupt search habits.

In response, about 85% of businesses are already investing in AI-optimized SEO, and 61% plan to increase their SEO budget to keep up. This is not an issue only for large companies; independent restaurants are equally affected.

If you rely on Google or social media to attract customers, these changes require a strategic update.

The good news is that with the right approach, you can turn this shift into an opportunity to stand out locally, instead of being left behind.

The concern is real

According to a recent survey, nearly 90% of businesses fear becoming invisible online due to AI. This shows how widely shared this concern is across all sectors. Independent restaurateurs should pay particular attention, as if almost all businesses are worried about this shift, it’s a clear signal to take action and strengthen their digital presence.

Why AI search matters for your restaurant

Imagine a customer asking an AI: “What is the best Italian restaurant in town?”
Instead of displaying a list of websites, the AI might simply give one or two names, with no clickable links.

You want your establishment to be mentioned in this response.

Moreover, 75.5% of businesses state that their priority is no longer to get clicks, but to have their name appear in AI-generated responses. For a restaurant, being cited in an AI recommendation is akin to digital word-of-mouth: you gain visibility, even if the user does not visit your site.

But don’t panic: traditional SEO is not dead. A recent study reveals that 100% of marketing professionals believe that SEO will evolve — not disappear — in the age of AI. And for now, Google search continues to bring in more real customers than AI chat tools.

In brief: your Google ranking, customer reviews, and your website remain essential. But the landscape is changing quickly, and preparing now is the best way to avoid losing ground tomorrow.

How to adapt and seize the opportunity

1. Strengthen your online presence and brand image

Start with the basics. Update your Google Business listing with accurate information and attractive photos. Ensure that your hours, address, and menu are consistent across all platforms. Encourage your satisfied customers to leave reviews.
Work on your local reputation as well: get mentions in “Top restaurants” articles or culinary blogs. The more positive and consistent your online presence, the more likely you are to appear in results generated by AI and traditional searches.

2. Optimize for AI (and voice) search

Think about the questions people might ask an AI about restaurants like yours — and provide the answers on your site.
Add a FAQ section or blog posts addressing common searches (“Where to eat vegetarian in [City]?”).
Use natural language and targeted keywords; this helps both traditional algorithms and AI systems understand your content.
On the technical side, integrate schema markup (structured data) into your site to detail your menu, reviews, or location. This invisible code allows search engines to better interpret your information.

Or read our full guide on this topic.

3. Be proactive – Request a free SEO audit

The search world is evolving quickly, so continue to learn and adjust your strategy.
If you don’t know where to start, Sorbey is here to assist you: contact us for a free audit of your restaurant's online presence, and we will identify what’s working and what needs improvement.

This is a proactive way to stay visible and continue attracting customers, no matter the direction taken by search engines.

Your Key Takeaway

AI is redefining the way people find places to eat, but that doesn’t mean you have to suffer this change.
On the contrary: if you are willing to adapt, you can gain an edge.

With the right practices, the right tools — and a bit of strategy — your independent restaurant can not only survive but thrive in this new era.