Independent Restaurant Turns to Social Media to Revive Business

LOS ANGELES, CA, August 25, 2011 (Press-News.org) Chef Miru Jung's American Dream began 10 years ago when the Korean immigrant found a job as a dishwasher in Downtown LA. Chef Miru and his brother, Calvin, saved for years in order to open their eclectic Korean-American burger and sushi restaurant in Beverly Hills. Their unique ingredients and gourmet presentation made them a quick local favorite, with popular menu items like the Kalbi burger, which includes filet mignon cubes cooked into the burger patty. Business had been growing steadily when the economy took a turn for the worse, and the Jung brothers found themselves struggling to get by once again.

Chef Miru decided to try Internet marketing as a last attempt to turn his business around, seeking help from Los Angeles-based firm, /excelamktg, to bring new customers in the door. /excelamktg owners Ashley Ranger & Dexter Hutchison sat down with Chef Jung, who exudes positivity and cooks up the #1 burger in America according to TheBurgerReview.com. After learning that the Jungs had next to no budget available for their services, they offered to provide a web facelift for free— the burgers are THAT good!

In a matter of a few months, Miru 8691's web presence went from non-existent to hyperactive. A website revamp was first on the agenda, followed by the implementation of a social media strategy that includes Facebook, Twitter and Foursquare. Old and new customers alike are being drawn to Miru 8691 with special deals that can only be redeemed by joining their online network. The restaurant is now on the radar of food bloggers who praise Chef Miru's quality and presentation. There is even a feature on a major TV network set to air in the coming months.

"Social media has allowed Chef Miru to become engaged with his customers, reach out to 'foodies' and post fun incentives for his fans," said Ashley Ranger, president of /excelamktg. "He came to us in need of help and we are happy to do what we can in order to keep the restaurant in business."

These days, it's rare to see an empty table at Miru 8691. While customers wait for their food, they're encouraged to interact with Miru 8691 on social media, using QR codes to "Like" "Follow" and "Check-In" right from their seat. This strategy has kept Miru 8691's fan base up to date everyday with what's happening in-store— like a recent visits from celebrities— and encourages those messages to be shared. With most new visitors converting to loyal, repeat customers, Chef Miru has had to make one more addition to his online presence — an account on OpenTable to manage his reservations.

"Choosing to do social media is the best thing I could have done to get more exposure." Chef Miru explained. "People spend so much of their time on the web now and it's vital to have a presence, to talk to people, to take feedback and make appropriate changes. It's an open line of communication with your customers and it has done wonders for my restaurant."

Now Chef Miru is looking forward to his next dream — to one day own an orphanage where he can teach the next generation of children how to cook dishes with "a touch of molecular gastronomy." In the meantime, you'll find him behind the grill at Miru 8691, continuing to perfect the #1 burger in the country.

ABOUT MIRU 8691
Tucked in the corner of a typical Southern California strip mall, Chef Miru Jung and his brother, Calvin, are cooking up some of the most innovative and delicious culinary creations Los Angeles has ever seen. The hidden gem of Beverly Hills features some of the highest rated burgers in America, creating a truly unique experience even for the most exacting upscale palettes. For more information on Miru 8691, please visit http://www.miru8691.com

ABOUT /EXCELAMKTG
/excelamktg is a social media marketing firm based in Los Angeles. A division of Excela: For Everything Business, the firm caters to the small and mid-sized business sector offering online marketing, social media campaigns, digital public relations, web design, SEO services and more. For more information on /excelamktg, please visit http://www.excelamktg.com