Sponsored by Boostly
Every month, thousands of hungry customers search “pizza near me” on Google. For independent operators, landing in the top results can make the difference between a packed Friday night and a quiet dining room. The reality is that most local pizzerias never get there, because marketing often falls to the bottom of the to-do list.
That’s where AI is stepping in to change the game. According to Datassential, nearly three-quarters of foodservice consumers and 70 percent of operators are already familiar with AI, and quick-service concepts are leading in adoption to boost efficiency and engagement. In other words, AI in restaurants is no longer a futuristic idea; it’s the standard.
Boostly has been ahead of that curve. The company first made waves with text marketing, a simple but powerful way for pizza shops to drive immediate revenue. Operators saw a remarkable return—often $8–$10 for every $1 spent—as subscribers responded within minutes of receiving offers. But as owners began asking for help about attracting new customers, Boostly evolved. Today, it offers a full suite of AI-powered tools that make it easier for pizza restaurants to be discovered, trusted, and remembered.
Boostly’s tools work together to form what the company calls a ‘connected loop.’ “The connected loop ensures the first search doesn’t become the last,” says Shane Murphy, founder and CEO of Boostly. “A customer searches ‘pizza near me,’ finds the restaurant, sees strong reviews, follows them on social media, and then joins the text club. From there, texts bring them back again and again.”
Without this system, restaurants tend to treat every guest like a new customer, which ends up being quite costly. “Our approach nurtures repeat visits, improves margins, and ensures all marketing efforts build long-term loyalty instead of one-off sales,” Murphy says. “Reviews are today’s word-of-mouth advertising. Boostly monitors reviews in real time and automatically responds in the restaurant’s brand voice, which is how we ensure customer loyalty.”
Boostly also improves pizza operators’ social media presence through AI. “Our system will then generate polished posts with strong imagery and schedule posts automatically,” Murphy says. “Everything aligns with the brand’s tone, so operators no longer rely on part-time help or struggle to do it themselves.”
Several of Boostly’s clients have had success with these AI tools. “One Midwest partner doubled their Google reviews and saw a 20 percent lift in online orders within three months,” Murphy says. “They also built a text list that drives $1,500–$2,000 in weekly sales.”
Booslty’s philosophy is simple: automation should feel like hospitality. By personalizing messages around guest behavior and timing, AI makes customers feel remembered, not spammed. “While pizza will always be made by people, AI acts as an assistant that ensures more guests get to enjoy it,” Murphy says. “Used thoughtfully, it strengthens relationships, making marketing both more effective and more affordable than ever before.”
Discover where your pizzeria stands online with Boostly’s free digital health scan, and see how AI can help turn more searches into loyal customers at boostly.com.
