Pūlama Restaurant Group

Campaign Goal:

Increase local reservations and boost Instagram engagement

Overview

Pūlama Restaurant Group is a renowned collection of dining destinations across the Hawaiian islands, celebrated for their authentic cuisine and community-centered atmosphere. While the brand enjoyed strong word-of-mouth success, its digital presence wasn’t converting online engagement into real-world bookings. The leadership team wanted to attract more local diners and strengthen their connection with the community through a refined Instagram strategy.

The Challenge

Despite having visually stunning dishes and a loyal customer base, Pūlama’s social media lacked a clear direction. Posts were inconsistent, engagement was declining, and the overall content failed to convey the vibrant personality and story behind the brand.Additionally, online reservations were stagnant, with most bookings occurring through phone calls or walk-ins rather than digital channels. The group needed a cohesive strategy that could bridge the gap between online visibility and real-world conversions.

Our Strategy

Aloha Pulse Social partnered with Pūlama Restaurant Group to develop a comprehensive social media and advertising strategy that authentically reflected their brand’s spirit and values.

Brand Voice Development

We redefined the group’s digital tone to emphasize island hospitality, culinary craftsmanship, and local heritage, ensuring all communication felt warm, inviting, and true to Hawaiian culture.

Content Planning

Our team created a monthly content calendar showcasing high-quality food photography, behind-the-scenes chef moments, and community events. This helped maintain a consistent posting rhythm and visual identity.

Targeted Instagram Ads

We ran geo-targeted ad campaigns focused on audiences within a 30-mile radius, highlighting weekly specials, seasonal dishes, and exclusive dining experiences to drive local traffic.

Community Engagement

To encourage participation, we launched the “Share Your Pūlama Plate” campaign, inviting customers to post their dining experiences and tag the restaurant. This user-generated content helped build authenticity and boost reach.

Conversion Optimization

We integrated a seamless booking link directly into social media posts and the bio, making reservations quick and frictionless for users browsing on Instagram.

The Results

The campaign produced significant and measurable improvements across all metrics:

• 30% increase in local reservations within the first 90 days.

• 65% boost in Instagram engagement, with post interactions doubling compared to previous months.

• 10K+ new local followers gained organically and through paid growth.

• A surge in user-generated content, enhancing brand authenticity and trust.

Client Feedback

Conclusion

By translating the essence of Hawaiian dining into compelling digital storytelling, Aloha Pulse Social helped Pūlama Restaurant Group strengthen community ties, increase bookings, and build long-term brand loyalty. The project stands as a prime example of how authentic engagement drives real business growth.