Chicago is known for many things, but its food scene is certainly something that’s always been front and center. From small and scrappy mom-and-pop startups to large, established brands, the Windy City has a long legacy as a place for food inspiration. So, it should come as no surprise that emerging food brands based in Chicago are making a name for themselves both in the kitchen and through online marketing.

Keep reading as we dive into some of our favorite local brands that stand out from the rest through stellar social media.

1. KitchFix Knows How to Engage

Kitchfix is a meal service company serving the needs of both downtown Chicago and the suburbs. They have a knack for all things prepped and delicious, but they are also social media gurus. This Chicago favorite knows the importance of interacting and engaging frequently with their audience online. Instagram comments are engaged with and questions are answered, both big and small. This tactic is important to be mindful of as 71 percent of consumers say they’re more likely to recommend a company that responds to them on social media. Engaging with your customers also helps to build relationships and solidify brand loyalty.

2. Simple Mills and the Importance of Facebook

This local brand, started by a University of Chicago graduate, has a huge social media platform, with a significant presence on Facebook. With nearly three out of four customers using Facebook to make restaurant or retail decisions, Simple Mills is making no mistake by prioritizing this platform for their brand. Instagram or Pinterest are usually the platforms that come to mind when sharing food images, but Facebook is often used as a hub for reviews and customer service questions.

3. Farmers Fridge Utilizes Instagram Highlights

While it may seem like a simple tactic, Instagram highlights continue to be beneficial for brands of all shapes and sizes. This tool allows your audience to have a hub of resources at their fingertips, that won’t disappear after 24 hours. Using highlights allows for a seamless user experience and adds extra zest to your profile. This is also a good opportunity to strengthen your brand recognition by keeping colors and style consistent on the highlight covers. Farmers Fridge understands the importance of highlights and uses them to offer their audience resources for finding local businesses, chef collaborations, recycling tips and more!

4. Skinny Pop Knows User-Generated Content

Yes, this addicting snack we all know and love was founded by two Chicago entrepreneurs and is now available in over 47,000 retail locations. So how did this brand soar to the top of the snack food chain? Perhaps it could be their near perfect social media platforms. Their Instagram is filled with user-generated content and consumer reviews, making this platform a living positive review for all users that come across their account. In fact, 84% of people trust online reviews as much as friends, so making positive feedback easily accessible to the consumer pays off.

5. Azteca Foods Provides Endless Value

Providing value is one of the most important things to keep in mind when creating your brand’s social media content. Azteca Foods is the perfect example of providing consumers with relatable content that can be applied in their everyday lives, including recipes, infographics and other forms of meal inspiration.

Share with us your favorite Chicago-based food brands or learn how WCG can help you transform your brand’s social media presence by e-mailing us at hello@wilksgrp.com, and click here to visit our website.