Having trouble keeping your tables filled or your customers attentive? Restaurant SMS marketing service might be what you’ve been seeking. With 98% open rates, text messaging provides one of the most straightforward means to reach your patrons. For restaurants, it is not only an additional marketing means – it’s a means for developing more loyal relationships with your customers while fueling tangible, measurable outcomes.

What is SMS Restaurant Marketing?

SMS restaurant marketing is a marketing strategy utilizing text messages to convey promotions, engage customers, and share updates. Unlike email promotions that end up lost in crowded inboxes, text messages go straight onto your customer’s phone and get read within minutes.

For restaurants, SMS marketing can be utilized to fill tables, market special occasions, announce daily specials, and even reward customer loyalty. It’s a great, yet potent, method for staying in touch with your customers.

Why Restaurant SMS Marketing Service Is Ideal for Restaurant Owners

1. Unparalleled Open Rates

One of the greatest strengths of SMS marketing is its unmatched open rate, sitting at approximately 98%. Put that alongside email marketing’s 18-25% average open rate, and it’s easy to see why texting is so effective. With SMS, your messages are virtually guaranteed to be read, making it perfect for last-minute offers or reminders – such as daily lunch specials or happy hour specials.

2. Real-Time Communication

Need to promote a 2-for-1 burger special for tonight? Or let customers know about weekend hours? SMS allows you to talk in real-time, so your updates and promotions reach your diners when they’re most timely.

3. Builds Customer Loyalty

SMS marketing doesn’t just boost sales – it builds relationships. By sharing exclusive deals and personalized messages, you’re showing your customers that they’re more than just a transaction. This helps foster brand loyalty and keeps them coming back for more.

4. Cost-Effective Marketing

Operating an SMS campaign is much less expensive than traditional advertising. For a small fee, you can contact hundreds – even thousands – of customers directly, which makes it very cost-effective, particularly for small and medium-sized restaurants.

Restaurant SMS Marketing Best Practices

To make your SMS campaigns engage your audience (and not annoy them), observe these best practices:

1. Obtain Permission First

Before you send, ensure you have clear permission from your customers. Not only is it the law in jurisdictions such as the TCPA (Telephone Consumer Protection Act), but it’s also a courtesy for their privacy. Include an easy opt-in form on your site or get customers to sign up in person.

2. Segment Your Audience

All diners are not created equal, so don’t treat them equally. Segment to deliver messages based on your customers’ interests. For instance:

• Regular lunch diners? Offer weekday lunch deals.
• Adventurous eaters? Send notices of new seasonal offerings.

Personalized messages are much more likely to be welcome and followed.

3. Keep It Short and Sweet

You’ve got only 160 characters to convey your message, so make every word count! Stick to a single, clear call-to-action (CTA), such as “Show this text to get 10% off today” or “Reserve your table now.” The easier it is to understand your message, the more effective it will be.

4. Send During Optimal Times

Timing is everything. Avoid sending messages at odd hours. Popular time slots for restaurants are typically:

• 11 a.m. to noon (ideal for reaching the lunch crowd)
• 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. (before dinner reservations are made)

5. Provide Real Value

No one wants spam, so ensure your messages give real value. Promote special discounts, announce special events, or give personalized offers that your customers wouldn’t be able to resist.

6. Have a Clear Opt-Out

Always honor your customers’ desire to unsubscribe. Providing an simple means to opt out (such as “Reply STOP to unsubscribe”) demonstrates your respect for their wishes and wins their trust.

Creative SMS Campaign Ideas for Restaurants

Here are some tried-and-tested techniques for integrating SMS marketing into your restaurant strategy:

1. Flash Deals

Got leftover ingredients or a slow evening? Flash a promo with a time constraint, such as, “Today only! Get 20% off all pizzas between 5 p.m. and 7 p.m. Reply YES to reserve your table.”

2. VIP Exclusive Offers

Make your SMS subscribers feel special by offering them something exclusive. “Hi [Name], you’re part of our VIP club! Enjoy early access to our new menu before it launches to the public. RSVP now!”

3. Event Announcements

Hosting a Sunday brunch, wine tasting, or trivia night? Build excitement by announcing it via text, complete with a link to reserve a spot.

4. Order Reminders

If you have takeout or delivery, send text reminders for pickups on schedule, streamlining processes and enhancing customer satisfaction!

5. Feedback Requests

Send a follow-up SMS after dining requesting feedback. Sample: “Thank you for dining with us! How was your meal? Respond with your feedback or complete our quick survey.” Requesting feedback demonstrates that you care and helps gather valuable feedback.

Key Benefits You Can Expect

If executed properly, SMS marketing can bring considerable advantages to your restaurant:

• Increased Engagement: People are more inclined to respond to a text than an email or social media update.
• Increased Foot Traffic: Instant promotions translate to more impromptu visits.
• Better Customer Retention: Targeted messages create loyal customers who return repeatedly.
• Efficient Operations: Automated order, reservation, and reminder messages save time for customers and employees alike.

Conclusion

Restaurant SMS marketing service is no longer an optional “nice-to-have.” With customers today wanting authenticity and immediacy, it’s a must-have for forward-thinking restaurant owners who want to differentiate.

Fundamentally, SMS marketing closes the distance between your business and your customers, forging a more intimate and powerful connection. And the good news? It’s simple to add to your current marketing strategy and grow as your business does.