With the recent restaurant closures in the Akron area, questions follow on what it takes to keep up with the struggling economy.

Ohio Restaurant Association spokesman Jarrod Clabaugh says independent restaurants should focus on their niche using social media to attract customers.

"Something their known for, their niche offering. Really getting them to play that up and using that. Take photos, do video interviews with diners in their restaurant and posting it to YouTube," says Clabaugh.

Clabaugh says the key for independent restaurants is to utilize social media to attract customers.

"Smaller operations, especially family owned, need to take a look at what their online presence is and how they can compete with larger brands," says Clabaugh.

According to Clabaugh, families eating out less and the high demand to compete with larger restaurant chains using marketing and advertising dollars are some of the factors that are causing local restaurants to close.