Readers of restaurant development + design magazine are split on the use of social media moments in designs, per a survey conducted in February 2025.
Specifically, 50% of rd+d readers say “yes,” they still include “Instagram moments” or similarly social-media friendly elements in their designs. In contrast, 43% of rd+d readers said they no longer include so-called Instagrammable elements in their designs.
Finally, 7% said “it’s complicated” and, when asked to expand they noted that clients “ask for [social media-friendly design elements], but we don’t like doing it.” One respondent noted “we are trying to make the entire environment memorable, where anywhere is social-media-friendly, but [also] ensure it’s authentic to the space.”
Another respondent noted it “depends on the venue and the target customer” and they are “conscious of dual-purpose opportunities for branding and media moments.”
One especially honest respondent noted “we want to but don’t have many good ideas.”
If you’re looking for good ideas? Check out:
rd+d regularly surveys subscribers on the state of restaurant development and design. This survey was fielded in February 2025. Subscribe to The Pulse to get rd+d’s surveys and results delivered to your inbox six times a year.
