The Ultimate Guide to Boosting Restaurant Sales with Mobile Marketing

SMS for restaurants

Why this works: mobile is immediate, personal, and trackable.

When your offer hits at the right time, the path from “HUNGRY” to “ORDERED” gets very short.

Restaurants are in a daily cage match for attention. Your guests scroll past ads, ignore emails, and “mean to” come back after seeing a social post. Mobile wins because it lands where the decision happens. In their hand. In the moment.

Text message marketing cuts through the noise with speed and simplicity. Pair it with the right mobile tools and you stop chasing customers. You start pulling them in.

At 7 Media Group, we help restaurants turn mobile touches into measurable revenue using a full mobile engagement stack:

Schedule a brief demo today! >>>

Building Your Subscriber List

Before you start sending messages, you need a solid opt-in list. Every subscriber must give permission to receive texts from you - it’s required by law and good for business. Here’s how to build that list:

  • Keyword Sign-Ups: Encourage people to text a keyword (like “TACOS”) to join your list and unlock exclusive deals.

  • Online Forms: Add a sign-up form to your website or social channels. Offer a perk - like 10% off their next order - to sweeten the deal.

  • In-Restaurant Prompts: Table tents, posters, or receipts can promote your text list. QR codes make sign-ups fast and easy.

  • Social Media: Use Instagram, Facebook, or TikTok to promote your SMS club. “Text BURGER to 12345 for VIP offers” works better than a generic “Join our newsletter.”

Always make sure customers understand what they’re signing up for and can easily opt out at any time.

<< A Digital Kiosk with your brand and touch screen access for diners to join your mobile club or redeem a coupon can be incredibly powerful.

Creating Campaigns That Drive Action

Once your list is growing, it’s time to craft campaigns that get results. Focus on clarity, timing, and relevance.

  • Strong Calls-to-Action: Tell people exactly what to do - “Show this text for 20% off today” works far better than “Visit us soon.”

  • Timing & Frequency: Don’t overdo it. One to two texts per week is plenty. Send them when they’ll have impact - before lunch, dinner rush, or weekends.

  • Personalization: Use names and preferences when possible. “Hey Jamie, your favorite flatbread is back!” feels human and builds loyalty.

  • Offers That Matter: Discounts, limited-time menu items, and exclusive invites work best. Make the value clear and the window short.

  • Segmentation: Group subscribers by behavior - frequent diners, first-timers, families - and tailor messages to each.

  • Automation: Welcome texts, birthday rewards, and event reminders can run on autopilot once set up.

  • Track Results: Use analytics to monitor open rates, clicks, and redemptions so you can fine-tune your campaigns.

Best Practices for Restaurant SMS Marketing

  • Always get explicit consent before texting anyone.

  • Include an easy opt-out (“Reply STOP to unsubscribe”) in every message.

  • Keep it short and punchy - under 160 characters when possible.

  • Don’t spam. Every message should offer real value.

  • Test, tweak, repeat. Use performance data to refine your approach.

  • Sync SMS with your email, social, and in-store promotions for a unified customer experience.

Measuring Success

You can’t improve what you don’t measure. Keep an eye on:

  • Open Rate: Usually above 90% — if yours isn’t, check timing or content.

  • Click-Through Rate (CTR): Tells you who’s engaging with your offers.

  • Redemption Rate: Shows which promotions actually drive sales.

  • Response Rate: Track replies, feedback, and conversations. Engagement is a sign of trust.

Pizza Hut started offering online ordering in 1994!

Staying Compliant

Text message marketing is highly regulated, and compliance is key. Always:

  • Get explicit consent before sending messages.

  • Include opt-out instructions in every text.

  • Protect customer data with proper security.

  • Follow TCPA and CAN-SPAM rules to avoid penalties.

If you’re not sure whether your current setup is compliant, talk to an expert or review the FCC’s SMS marketing guidelines.

Examples of Restaurant SMS Messages

Campaigns usually revolve around just one impactful message. So, bear in mind not to bombard customers with a flurry of texts.

[Restaurant]: Hey, [Customer]! Only for today, all our restaurants are giving [X] at a [%] off. Text STOP to opt-out.

[Restaurant]: Special Offer! Get a [X] for free with every [Y] purchase. Offer valid until [date]. Text STOP to opt-out.

Restaurant Takeaway SMS Message:

[Restaurant]: How about a cozy evening at home, [name]? We offer a [%] discount on takeaways today! Text STOP to opt-out.

[Restaurant]: Enjoy a fabulous family weekend! Buy a family-sized [product], and we throw in a kid’s meal for free! Text STOP to opt-out.

Holiday & Happy Hour Themed SMS Message:

Holidays are perfect to engage and re-engage customers with delightful discounts and seasonal greetings. Here are some inspirations:

[Brand]: Take a breather this Black Friday. Enjoy a buy 1 get 1 free on [product] at our place. Text STOP to opt-out.

[Brand]: In a last-minute gift crisis? How about a gift card from us for a fellow food lover! Text STOP to opt-out.

[Brand]: Leave the cooking to us this Christmas! Order online for a [%] off, and we will deliver it right to your doorstep. [URL]

[Brand]: Happy Hour Alert! All in-restaurant orders receive a [%] discount from [start time] to [end time]. Text STOP to opt-out.

Feedback Request SMS Messages:

Feedback from customers is the lifeline for businesses, and it’s no different for restaurants. Here’s how you can request it:

[Brand]: Hi [Name], we hope you had a pleasant experience with us. Share your thoughts at [URL]. Thanks!

[Brand]: How was your visit, [name]? Your feedback means a lot to us. Please share at [URL]. Thanks!

Opening Day Messages:

Launch day is critical for a restaurant, and you want to garner as much attention as possible. Here’s how:

[Brand]: The countdown is on! We’re opening on [date] at [address]. Join us for an unforgettable culinary experience. Text STOP to opt-out.

[Brand]: It’s official! Our restaurant at [address] opens its doors on [date]. Show this SMS and get [%] off!

Choosing the Right SMS Marketing Platform

When you’re ready to launch, choose a platform that’s simple, compliant, and built for restaurants. 7 Media Group offers everything you need in one place - automated campaigns, two-way texting, loyalty rewards, and detailed reporting - all in an easy-to-use dashboard.

Whether you’re managing one restaurant or several locations, 7 Media Group makes SMS marketing effortless and effective.

Conclusion

Text message marketing is one of the fastest, most direct ways to grow your restaurant business. With 7 Media Group, you can connect with customers, fill more tables, and keep your brand top of mind - all with a few well-crafted messages. Start building your list today and see how powerful a simple text can be.

7 Reasons to Send Restaurant SMS With 7 Media Group

7 Media Group stands out as a leading provider of SMS marketing for restaurants. The software is user-friendly and packed with unique features, including loyalty rewards, coupons and two-way texting. Managing all these features is a breeze with 7 Media Group’s convenient online dashboard.

1. Why is text message marketing effective for restaurants?

Text message marketing provides restaurants with an immediate and personal way to reach customers. Given the high open rates of SMS, restaurants can ensure timely promotions, special offers, and reservation reminders are seen, driving increased foot traffic and sales.

2. How can I grow my subscriber list for my restaurant’s SMS marketing campaign?

Promote your SMS subscription in-restaurant, on your website, social media, and email newsletters. Offer special discounts or freebies for new subscribers, encouraging more patrons to sign up.

3. What content is suitable for restaurant text message marketing?

Daily specials, event promotions, loyalty program updates, reservation reminders, and feedback requests are perfect for SMS. Additionally, seasonal offers or unique chef’s creations can be highlighted to entice visits.

4. How often should I send promotional texts to my subscribers?

It’s essential to find a balance. Too frequent, and you risk annoying your customers; too infrequent, and you miss out on potential sales. A good rule of thumb is 2-4 times a month, but always ensure the content provides value.

5. Can I segment my subscriber list for more targeted promotions?

Absolutely! Segmenting based on dining preferences, visit frequency, or even dish preferences can allow for more personalized offers, enhancing the effectiveness of your campaigns.

6. Is there a risk of customers unsubscribing from text message promotions?

As with any marketing channel, there’s always a risk. To minimize unsubscribes, ensure you’re delivering valuable content, not overwhelming subscribers with too many messages, and always include an easy opt-out option.

7. How can I measure the success of my restaurant’s SMS marketing campaign?

Track metrics like subscription growth, engagement rates, offer redemptions, and sales growth. Analyzing these can provide insights into campaign performance and areas for improvement.