Full Table vs doing it yourself, a freelancer, or an agency
Most restaurant owners who look at Full Table have already been burned: a marketer went quiet, a campaign was hard to measure, or the owner still had to do half the work. The right choice depends on how much control, time, and accountability you want.
This comparison is not about naming competitors. It is about choosing a working model that fits an independent restaurant.
| Decision point | Full Table | Freelance marketer | Traditional agency | Doing it yourself |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Billing alignment | Flat monthly plan; optional performance model above a locked baseline. | Usually hourly, project-based, or monthly scope. | Usually a retainer, sometimes plus ad management fees. | No vendor fee, but owner time carries the cost. |
| Contract terms | Monthly plan is month-to-month and cancel-anytime. | Varies by person and project. | Often a fixed term or heavier statement of work. | No contract. |
| Accountability | One accountable operator you work with directly. | One person, but scope may be narrow. | Team model; account owner can vary. | You own every task and every result. |
| Who does the work | Done-for-you content, offers, review help, and reporting. | Depends on the hire and skill set. | Shared across specialists or account staff. | You or your staff. |
| Approval workflow | Every post, offer, reply, or ad needs your approval before public launch. | Possible if you define it. | Possible, often handled through review rounds. | You are the reviewer and publisher. |
| Revenue tracking | Monthly reporting tied to tracked revenue and a baseline where data allows. | Usually depends on your setup. | Can be strong, but reporting may be channel-first. | You build and maintain the measurement. |
| Time cost to owner | Approve and provide direction; Full Table handles the day-to-day. | Briefing and review still sit with you. | Lower day-to-day load, higher coordination overhead. | Highest owner time commitment. |
When Full Table is the right fit
Full Table fits owners who want restaurant marketing handled, but do not want a black box. You still approve what goes public. You still see the revenue framing. You work with one accountable operator rather than managing a pile of tools and vendors.
A freelancer may be right if you only need one narrow channel. An agency may be right if you need a larger team or broader strategy stack. Doing it yourself may be right if you have the time and enjoy the work. Full Table is for the owner who wants the day-to-day off their plate without giving up final say.
Compare the model against your own numbers.
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