How Yelp Ads Delivered 4,989 Store Visits and $127K in Revenue: A Restaurant Case Study
Targeting Tourists with Strategic Local Advertising: How Acenar Achieved a 33:1 Return on Ad Spend
How Yelp Ads Delivered 4,989 Store Visits and $127K in Revenue: A Restaurant Case Study
Targeting Tourists with Strategic Local Advertising: How Acenar Achieved a 33:1 Return on Ad Spend
When the Embark Marketing team partnered with Acenar Mexican Restaurant in early 2025, we faced a challenge that many downtown restaurants encounter: how do you capture the attention of tourists and visitors who don’t know your restaurant exists? While locals might already know about Acenar’s prime San Antonio River Walk location, the thousands of tourists visiting the area each month represent a massive untapped market.
Our solution? A strategically optimized Yelp Ads campaign designed specifically to intercept hungry tourists at the exact moment they’re searching for where to eat. Six months later, the numbers tell an impressive story of precision targeting and exceptional return on investment.
The Challenge: Competing in the Riverwalk's Tourist Market
San Antonio’s River Walk is one of Texas’s premier tourist destinations, attracting millions of visitors annually. For restaurants in this area, the opportunity is enormous, but so is the competition. Tourists arriving in San Antonio face dozens of dining options, many of which are actively competing for their attention through various advertising channels.
Acenar had several unique advantages that we knew would resonate with tourists:
- The largest patio on the San Antonio River Walk – perfect for enjoying the scenic views
- Direct access to the popular Go Rio barges – offering a complete Riverwalk experience
- Contemporary Tex-Mex cuisine – appealing to visitors seeking authentic regional flavors
- Prime downtown location – easily accessible for hotel guests and tour groups
The challenge was ensuring that tourists searching for restaurants would discover Acenar before choosing a competitor. Traditional marketing approaches like billboards or local publications wouldn’t effectively reach this transient audience. We needed to meet potential customers exactly where they were making their dining decisions: on their phones, searching for restaurants in real-time.
The Strategy: Coordinated Yelp Optimization and Advertising
In March 2025, Embark Marketing launched a comprehensive Yelp strategy that combined profile optimization with paid advertising. This wasn’t just about buying ads, it was about creating a complete, compelling presence on the platform where tourists make dining decisions.
Phase 1: Complete Yelp Profile Overhaul
Before spending a dollar on advertising, we completely transformed Acenar’s Yelp presence:
Professional Visual Content:
- High-quality photos showcasing the expansive patio and Riverwalk views
- Food photography highlighting signature contemporary Mexican dishes & margaritas
- Ambiance shots capturing the festive atmosphere tourists seek
Optimized Business Information:
- Complete and accurate business details (hours, location, contact info)
- Strategic category selection for maximum search visibility
- Menu updates with enticing descriptions
Keyword-Rich Descriptions:
- Incorporated high-value search terms like “Riverwalk,” “largest patio,” “contemporary Mexican”
- Highlighted unique selling points (Go Rio barge access, downtown location)
- Emphasized tourist-friendly features (scenic views, authentic experience)
Phase 2: Strategic Paid Advertising Launch
With a fully optimized profile in place, we launched Acenar’s Yelp Ads campaign with these key elements:
Targeted Placement:
- Ads appear in “Sponsored Results” above organic listings
- Prominent placement on competitor restaurant pages
- Geographic targeting for tourists searching in the Riverwalk area
Promotional Budget Strategy:
- Leveraged Yelp’s 3-month promotional offer ($540/month client cost, $690 ad value)
- Transitioned to standard $540/month budget after promotional period
- Consistent monthly investment for sustained visibility
Ongoing Optimization:
- Bi-weekly campaign adjustments based on performance data
- Continuous keyword refinement to capture high-intent searches
- Regular addition of fresh photo assets with keyword-optimized text
- Click-through rate monitoring and ad copy testing
This coordinated approach of combining organic profile excellence with strategic paid placement created a powerful one-two punch that positioned Acenar at the top of search results while ensuring visitors saw a compelling, professional profile when they clicked through.
The Results: 6 Months of Exceptional Performance
Between April and September 2025, Acenar’s Yelp Ads campaign delivered results that exceeded industry benchmarks across every metric.
Store Visits: Converting Searchers into Diners
Total Store Visits: 4,989 verified customers
Average Monthly Visits: 832 customers
Yelp’s attribution technology tracked actual foot traffic to the restaurant, confirming that nearly 5,000 people who viewed or clicked Acenar’s ads subsequently visited the location. This wasn’t just digital engagement; these were real customers walking through the door.
Monthly Breakdown:
- April 2025: 1,047 visits
- May 2025: 921 visits
- June 2025: 745 visits
- July 2025: 707 visits
- August 2025: 569 visits
- September 2025: 577 visits
Cost Efficiency: Dramatically Below Industry Averages
Average Cost Per Store Visit (CPSV): $0.83
Total Ad Spend: $3,986
While restaurants with minimal budgets typically spend between $300 and $500 per month on Yelp Ads, Acenar’s optimized approach delivered store visits at a fraction of typical acquisition costs.
How does this compare to industry standards?
Restaurant CPCs on Yelp can range from $0.30 to several dollars per click, but clicks don’t equal customers. Acenar’s $0.83 cost per actual store visit represents exceptional efficiency. These weren’t just clicks or website visits, but verified foot traffic to the restaurant.
For context, traditional restaurant advertising methods often cost significantly more per customer acquired, making Yelp’s performance-based model particularly attractive for high-foot-traffic businesses.
Click Efficiency: Quality Over Quantity
Total Ad Clicks: 2,481
Clicks to Store Visit Conversion Rate: 201%
Interestingly, Acenar generated more store visits (4,989) than ad clicks (2,481) – a ratio of roughly 2:1. How is this possible?
90% of store visits occurred without a lead action first. This means the majority of customers saw Acenar’s ad in search results or on competitor pages, viewed the profile information, and then visited the restaurant directly without clicking through to the website or making a phone call that Yelp could track as a “lead action.”
This behavior is typical of mobile-first restaurant searches where customers:
- See the ad in Yelp search results
- View key information (photos, ratings, location, hours)
- Navigate directly to the restaurant using maps or saved locations
This “view-through conversion” metric demonstrates Yelp’s value extends beyond direct clicks, even ad impressions and profile views drive measurable foot traffic.
Revenue Impact: Exceptional Return on Ad Spend
Projected Revenue Generated: $159,648
Total Ad Investment: $3,986
Return on Ad Spend (ROAS): 40:1
Using Acenar’s reported average ticket of $32 per customer, the 4,989 store visits generated approximately $159,648 in gross revenue over six months.
After subtracting the ad spend, the net return was $155,662, representing a 4,005% ROI.
How does this stack up against industry benchmarks?
A solid target ROAS for restaurants is typically 4:1, meaning $4 in revenue for every $1 of ad spend. Acenar’s 40:1 ROAS is 10 times higher than the restaurant industry standard.
Even more impressive, the frequently cited benchmark for a good ROAS is 4:1, which often leaves enough room to cover business expenses and generate healthy profit. At 40:1, Acenar’s campaign didn’t just meet profitability thresholds, it dramatically exceeded them.
Customer Acquisition: Capturing New Business
93% of visitors were new customers;Â people who hadn’t visited Acenar in the previous 30 days.
This statistic reveals the true power of Yelp Ads for tourist-heavy locations. Rather than simply reminding existing customers to return, the campaign successfully intercepted travelers and visitors who were actively searching for dining options and had never heard of Acenar before.
75% of store visits occurred within one day of ad exposure, demonstrating the high purchase intent of Yelp users. These weren’t casual browsers, they were hungry tourists ready to make an immediate dining decision.
The Results: 6 Months of Exceptional Performance
Between April and September 2025, Acenar’s Yelp Ads campaign delivered results that exceeded industry benchmarks across every metric.
Store Visits: Converting Searchers into Diners
Total Store Visits: 4,989 verified customers
Average Monthly Visits: 832 customers
Yelp’s attribution technology tracked actual foot traffic to the restaurant, confirming that nearly 5,000 people who viewed or clicked Acenar’s ads subsequently visited the location. This wasn’t just digital engagement; these were real customers walking through the door.
Monthly Breakdown:
- April 2025: 1,047 visits
- May 2025: 921 visits
- June 2025: 745 visits
- July 2025: 707 visits
- August 2025: 569 visits
- September 2025: 577 visits
Cost Efficiency: Dramatically Below Industry Averages
Average Cost Per Store Visit (CPSV): $0.83
Total Ad Spend: $3,986
While restaurants with minimal budgets typically spend between $300 and $500 per month on Yelp Ads, Acenar’s optimized approach delivered store visits at a fraction of typical acquisition costs.
How does this compare to industry standards?
Restaurant CPCs on Yelp can range from $0.30 to several dollars per click, but clicks don’t equal customers. Acenar’s $0.83 cost per actual store visit represents exceptional efficiency. These weren’t just clicks or website visits, but verified foot traffic to the restaurant.
For context, traditional restaurant advertising methods often cost significantly more per customer acquired, making Yelp’s performance-based model particularly attractive for high-foot-traffic businesses.
Click Efficiency: Quality Over Quantity
Total Ad Clicks: 2,481
Clicks to Store Visit Conversion Rate: 201%
Interestingly, Acenar generated more store visits (4,989) than ad clicks (2,481) – a ratio of roughly 2:1. How is this possible?
90% of store visits occurred without a lead action first. This means the majority of customers saw Acenar’s ad in search results or on competitor pages, viewed the profile information, and then visited the restaurant directly without clicking through to the website or making a phone call that Yelp could track as a “lead action.”
This behavior is typical of mobile-first restaurant searches where customers:
- See the ad in Yelp search results
- View key information (photos, ratings, location, hours)
- Navigate directly to the restaurant using maps or saved locations
This “view-through conversion” metric demonstrates Yelp’s value extends beyond direct clicks, even ad impressions and profile views drive measurable foot traffic.
Revenue Impact: Exceptional Return on Ad Spend
Projected Revenue Generated: $159,648
Total Ad Investment: $3,986
Return on Ad Spend (ROAS): 40:1
Using Acenar’s reported average ticket of $32 per customer, the 4,989 store visits generated approximately $159,648 in gross revenue over six months.
After subtracting the ad spend, the net return was $155,662, representing a 4,005% ROI.
How does this stack up against industry benchmarks?
A solid target ROAS for restaurants is typically 4:1, meaning $4 in revenue for every $1 of ad spend. Acenar’s 40:1 ROAS is 10 times higher than the restaurant industry standard.
Even more impressive, the frequently cited benchmark for a good ROAS is 4:1, which often leaves enough room to cover business expenses and generate healthy profit. At 40:1, Acenar’s campaign didn’t just meet profitability thresholds, it dramatically exceeded them.
Customer Acquisition: Capturing New Business
93% of visitors were new customers;Â people who hadn’t visited Acenar in the previous 30 days.
This statistic reveals the true power of Yelp Ads for tourist-heavy locations. Rather than simply reminding existing customers to return, the campaign successfully intercepted travelers and visitors who were actively searching for dining options and had never heard of Acenar before.
75% of store visits occurred within one day of ad exposure, demonstrating the high purchase intent of Yelp users. These weren’t casual browsers, they were hungry tourists ready to make an immediate dining decision.
The Five Success Factors Behind These Results
1. Profile Optimization Created Conversion-Ready Landing Pages
Many restaurants make the mistake of buying Yelp Ads with incomplete or unappealing profiles. We ensured that when tourists clicked through or viewed Acenar’s listing, they encountered:
- Professional, mouthwatering food photography
- Clear communication of unique selling points (largest patio, barge access)
- Complete, accurate business information
- Strong review ratings and responsive management
The ads got customers to look at Acenar, but the optimized profile convinced them to visit.
2. Strategic Keyword Targeting Captured High-Intent Searches
Through continuous refinement, we identified and targeted search terms that indicated immediate dining intent:
- “Mexican restaurants Riverwalk”
- “Best restaurants San Antonio downtown”
- “River Walk dining with patio”
- “Tex-Mex near me”
These weren’t broad awareness terms, they were bottom-of-funnel searches from people ready to make a decision within hours.
5. Tourist-Focused Messaging Highlighted Unique Experiences
Our profile copy and ad creative specifically appealed to tourist mindsets:
- Emphasized the “largest patio” for those wanting to enjoy Riverwalk ambiance
- Highlighted Go Rio barge access for complete tourist experiences
- Showcased contemporary Tex-Mex as an authentic regional cuisine
- Featured scenic views and festive atmosphere
Rather than generic restaurant messaging, every element spoke directly to what tourists seek when visiting San Antonio.
3. Geographic and Competitive Placement Intercepted Tourists
Acenar’s ads appeared:
- In local search results for relevant queries in the downtown/Riverwalk area
- On competitor restaurant pages where undecided diners were comparison shopping
- To users whose location and search history indicated they were tourists or visitors
This strategic placement ensured ad spend focused on the highest-value audience: tourists actively choosing between Riverwalk dining options.
4. Continuous Optimization Improved Performance Over Time
This wasn’t a “set and forget” campaign. Our bi-weekly optimization included:
- Analyzing which keywords and ad placements drove the most store visits
- Testing different photo assets and descriptions
- Adjusting bids and budgets based on performance data
- Adding seasonal content (happy hour promotions, special events)
The result? Consistently strong performance even as competition and market conditions changed.
The Five Success Factors Behind These Results
1. Profile Optimization Created Conversion-Ready Landing Pages
Many restaurants make the mistake of buying Yelp Ads with incomplete or unappealing profiles. We ensured that when tourists clicked through or viewed Acenar’s listing, they encountered:
- Professional, mouthwatering food photography
- Clear communication of unique selling points (largest patio, barge access)
- Complete, accurate business information
- Strong review ratings and responsive management
The ads got customers to look at Acenar, but the optimized profile convinced them to visit.
2. Strategic Keyword Targeting Captured High-Intent Searches
Through continuous refinement, we identified and targeted search terms that indicated immediate dining intent:
- “Mexican restaurants Riverwalk”
- “Best restaurants San Antonio downtown”
- “River Walk dining with patio”
- “Tex-Mex near me”
These weren’t broad awareness terms, they were bottom-of-funnel searches from people ready to make a decision within hours.
3. Geographic and Competitive Placement Intercepted Tourists
Acenar’s ads appeared:
- In local search results for relevant queries in the downtown/Riverwalk area
- On competitor restaurant pages where undecided diners were comparison shopping
- To users whose location and search history indicated they were tourists or visitors
This strategic placement ensured ad spend focused on the highest-value audience: tourists actively choosing between Riverwalk dining options.
4. Continuous Optimization Improved Performance Over Time
This wasn’t a “set and forget” campaign. Our bi-weekly optimization included:
- Analyzing which keywords and ad placements drove the most store visits
- Testing different photo assets and descriptions
- Adjusting bids and budgets based on performance data
- Adding seasonal content (happy hour promotions, special events)
The result? Consistently strong performance even as competition and market conditions changed.
5. Tourist-Focused Messaging Highlighted Unique Experiences
Our profile copy and ad creative specifically appealed to tourist mindsets:
- Emphasized the “largest patio” for those wanting to enjoy Riverwalk ambiance
- Highlighted Go Rio barge access for complete tourist experiences
- Showcased contemporary Tex-Mex as an authentic regional cuisine
- Featured scenic views and festive atmosphere
Rather than generic restaurant messaging, every element spoke directly to what tourists seek when visiting San Antonio.
Why This Matters: The Yelp Advantage for Tourist-Heavy Locations
The Economics: Why This ROAS Is Sustainable
A 40:1 ROAS might seem too good to be true, but several factors make these results both genuine and sustainable:
1. Low-Cost Customer Acquisition At $0.83 per store visit, acquiring customers through Yelp Ads costs significantly less than the gross margin on a single meal. Even accounting for food costs, labor, and overhead, each ad-driven visit remained highly profitable.
2. High-Intent Traffic Unlike awareness advertising that must nurture interest over time, Yelp captures customers at the bottom of the funnel, they’re searching for restaurants right now and making decisions within hours or minutes.
3. Tourist Lifetime Value While these were primarily one-time visitors (tourists), many shared their experience on social media, left reviews, or recommended Acenar to others, creating word-of-mouth value beyond the initial visit.
4. Optimized Profile Performance The initial investment in profile optimization (professional photos, compelling copy, complete information) continues to pay dividends with every impression, creating compounding returns over time.
5. Competitive Market Dynamics In a highly competitive tourist market, Yelp Ads provided visibility that would have required significantly higher investment through other channels (Google Ads, display advertising, etc.).
User Behavior Makes A Difference
This case study demonstrates a critical insight for restaurants in tourist destinations: you need to advertise where tourists make decisions, not where locals look.
Traditional local marketing – local newspapers, radio, community sponsorships – effectively reaches residents but misses the transient tourist market entirely. Conversely, Yelp captures users at the perfect moment:
- They’re in your geographic area (or planning to be)
- They’re actively searching for restaurants
- They’re on their phones, ready to navigate immediately
- They have high purchase intent (searching = ready to eat)
- They trust reviews and want popular, well-regarded options
For Acenar, this meant reaching thousands of potential customers who would never have discovered the restaurant through traditional marketing channels.
The Bottom Line: Strategic Advertising Delivers Measurable Results
Acenar’s Yelp Ads success story demonstrates what’s possible when strategic planning meets consistent execution. Over six months, a modest $3,986 investment generated:
- 4,989 verified store visits
- $159,648 in projected revenue
- 40:1 return on ad spend
- 93% new customer acquisition
- 10x better than industry benchmark ROAS
These results didn’t happen by accident. They resulted from:
- Complete Yelp profile optimization before launching ads
- Strategic targeting of tourist-intent searches
- Continuous bi-weekly campaign refinement
- Messaging that highlighted unique tourist-friendly features
- Professional visual content that converted viewers to visitors
Most importantly, this approach is replicable. While every restaurant’s results will vary based on location, competition, menu pricing, and profile quality, the fundamental strategy – optimize first, target strategically, optimize continuously – applies universally.
For restaurants in tourist destinations or high-foot-traffic areas, Yelp Ads represent one of the most efficient customer acquisition channels available. The platform captures diners at the exact moment they’re making dining decisions, with verified store visit tracking that eliminates guesswork about campaign effectiveness.
Ready to Achieve Similar Results for Your Restaurant?
At Embark Marketing, we specialize in creating coordinated digital strategies that combine profile optimization, strategic advertising, and continuous campaign management. Our approach doesn’t just buy ads, we build complete systems that convert searchers into customers.
Contact us to discuss how Yelp Ads and integrated digital marketing can drive measurable foot traffic and revenue for your restaurant.
