The 2026 Local SEO Playbook for Restaurants | With Claudia Tomina

AI is changing how restaurants show up on Google - and most owners don’t even realize they’re invisible.In this episode of the Restaurant Growth Accelerator, Andrew Scott sits down with local SEO expert Claudia Tomina to discuss important restaurant marketing updates. They discuss how AI, Google’s evolving algorithms, and large language models (LLMs) are reshaping restaurant marketing.If you're relying on just your Google Business Profile, QR codes for reviews, or old website content…you may already be losing bookings, catering orders, and high-intent customers.This conversation explains exactly what’s changed and what to fix immediately.Tune in to discover:✅ How AI interprets your restaurant (and why that matters)✅ Why review quality now matters more than quantity✅ The real risk of QR codes for Google reviews✅ What “review jail” is… and how to avoid it✅ Why outdated website content is hurting your rankings✅ How AI booking and “agentic workflows” impact reservations✅ The importance of review diversification (Yelp, TripAdvisor, Reddit, etc.)✅ How to respond to negative reviews without damaging your brandIf you own or operate a restaurant and haven't audited your online presence recently, this episode is a timely reminder to do so. Key moments:00:01:15 Why AI Changed Restaurant Discovery00:04:27 The Problem With Google-Only Strategies00:07:33 How AI Reads Your Website00:10:57 The QR Code Review Trap00:13:23 Google's Secret Local Guide Questions00:15:37 Review Quality Over Quantity00:22:15 Missing Booking Links Kill Revenue00:25:03 Agentic AI Workflows Are Coming00:28:21 Three Steps to Fix Your VisibilityHit play and find out what AI is telling your potential customers about you - before they even walk through the door.-✅Tools For Restaurant Owners✅Claim your FREE Restaurant Weekly Financial Tracker to uncover thousands in hidden profits and optimize your costs (in less time than it takes to finish your morning coffee): https://ghl.ownershifttraining.com/weekly-tracker-lp?el=podcast-✅Connect With Claudia Tomina✅https://reputationarm.com-✅About Us✅The Restaurant Growth Accelerator Podcast is hosted by Andrew Scott - founder of OwnerShift Training.Andrew Scott successfully scaled his restaurant business to 4 locations while working a handful of hours each week. He’s since helped over 1,000 restaurant owners increase their sales, profits, and free time - and he’d love to help you too.✅For Restaurant Owners✅Interested in growing your restaurant business while working less? Book your free assessment call:👉 Restaurant Assessment Call✅Connect With Us✅https://www.facebook.com/groups/multiunitempirebuilders/ https://www.instagram.com/andrewrichardscotthttps://ownershifttraining.com/?el=podcast