The Power Of Text: A Guide To Using SMS Marketing For Restaurants To Revolutionize Customer Engagement

• What Is SMS Marketing For Restaurants — And Why It Works?
• 7 Real-World Use Cases That Drive Sales & Loyalty
• How Orders.co Makes SMS Smarter, Not Harder?
• Why SMS Gets Results: What Restaurant Customers Actually Respond To
• Best Practices To Avoid Burnout And Boost Results
• Reporting & Optimization: What To Track (and Why It Matters)?
• The Full Toolkit Behind Smarter Restaurant Growth
• FAQ

If you run a restaurant, you already know how hard it is to get people’s attention—and keep it. Most customers are glued to their phones, and that’s where your marketing needs to be.

SMS marketing for restaurants is proving to be one of the most effective ways to stay in touch with customers. 

It’s fast, direct, and doesn’t rely on complicated tools or big budgets. 

Texts get opened almost instantly, which makes them perfect for sending out lunch specials, event reminders, or exclusive offers.

And here’s something worth thinking about: nearly 3 out of 4 people have made a purchase after receiving a text from a business. That’s a powerful reason to start sending messages that your customers actually want to read—and act on.

The best part? You don’t have to be a marketing expert to make it work. With Orders.co, you can send targeted text messages to the right people at the right time—without adding more work to your plate.

In this article, you’ll learn how restaurant SMS marketing works, what it can do for your business, and how Orders.co makes it easy to get started.

Key Takeaways

• SMS marketing for restaurants gets fast, reliable attention from customers.
  
• Well-timed, personalized texts lead to higher engagement and repeat orders.
  
• Messages like limited-time offers, reservation reminders, and feedback requests work best.
  
• Sending fewer, targeted texts is more effective than blasting your entire list.
  
• Orders.co helps automate SMS marketing and ties it into your menu, orders, and reporting.
  
• Tracking results helps you refine your approach and grow smarter over time.

What Is SMS Marketing For Restaurants — And Why It Works?

SMS marketing for restaurants means using text messages to connect with your customers in real time. This could be a quick update about a lunch special, a reminder for a reservation, or a coupon sent out during slow hours.

What makes SMS different from email or social media? People actually read it.

Text messages have a 98% open rate, and most are read within just a few minutes. That’s a huge advantage when you want to reach guests during key decision-making moments, like just before lunch or dinner.

Source: Klaviyo

Unlike emails that get buried in crowded inboxes or social posts that may never be seen, a text message lands directly on your customer’s home screen. It’s personal, fast, and easy to act on. That’s why SMS continues to outperform most other channels in terms of engagement and response.

Text marketing for restaurants is also incredibly flexible. You can send out updates based on time of day, past orders, or even a customer’s favorite dishes. It’s not about sending more—it’s about sending smarter.

Also, read: 

• Stay in Your Customer’s Pocket: The Benefits of Restaurant SMS Marketing
• Boosting Your Restaurant’s Sales with AI-Powered Email Marketing
• How Restaurant Trends in 2024 Will Impact Your Marketing Strategies

7 Real-World Use Cases That Drive Sales & Loyalty

SMS marketing for restaurants works best when it’s timely, relevant, and personalized. Whether you’re trying to boost slow periods or reward loyal customers, a well-written text message can drive real results, often within minutes.

Here’s how real restaurants are using SMS to grow sales and build stronger customer relationships:

1. Welcome Offers for New Subscribers

A welcome text is your first impression. Make it count by offering a simple incentive.

Example Messages:

• “Thanks for signing up! Show this text for 10% off your first order—today only.”
  
• “Your first meal is on us! Buy one entree, get one free when you dine in this week. Mention this message.”
  

Use this chance to drive immediate action and give customers a reason to visit soon.

2. Flash Discounts During Slow Hours

Got downtime between lunch and dinner? SMS is great for filling gaps with short-term promotions.

Example Messages:

• “Slow day? Not anymore. $5 off any order placed between 2–4 PM today only. Click to order now.”
  
• “Feeling hungry? Get a free side with any sandwich—only valid until 3 PM.”
  

You can even set these to go out automatically during slow periods using Orders.co’s AI scheduling.

3. Birthday and Anniversary Messages

Celebrating a special date with a thoughtful text can increase visits and boost word of mouth.

Example Messages:

• “Happy Birthday, Sarah! Come in this week and your dessert is on us.”
  
• “It’s been one year since your first visit—thanks for being a loyal customer! Enjoy 15% off any dinner this weekend.”
  

This type of restaurant sms marketing feels personal and creates a strong emotional connection.

4. Reservation Confirmations and Reminders

Reduce no-shows and improve operations with friendly reminders.

Example Messages:

• “Hi! Just confirming your table for 2 at [Restaurant Name] on Friday at 7 PM. Reply YES to confirm or CALL to change.”
  
• “We’re looking forward to seeing you tonight! If anything changes, let us know.”
  

You can even include links to modify the booking, reducing missed tables and wasted prep.

5. Upsell Opportunities Based on Past Orders

Smart upselling is all about timing and relevance.

Example Messages:

• “Your last order was our chicken wrap—add a side of sweet potato fries today for just $2.”
  
• “Craving your usual sushi roll? Order now and get a free miso soup with any 2-roll combo.”
  

This is restaurant text marketing that feels helpful, not pushy—and it grows your average ticket.

6. Feedback and Review Requests

Follow up after the meal while the experience is still fresh.

Example Messages:

• “Thanks for dining with us! Got 30 seconds? We’d love your feedback. [Link]”
  
• “Tell us how we did—and get 10% off your next visit. Leave a review here: [Link]”
  

These sample text message marketing for restaurants help build your online reputation and catch issues before they show up in public reviews.

7. Exclusive Menu Items for VIPs

Give your best customers early access or members-only specials.

Example Messages:

• “VIPs only: Be the first to try our new brunch menu this weekend. Limited seating—text BACK to reserve.”
  
• “Secret menu alert 🚨 Spicy Korean Wings are back for one week only. Show this text to order.”
  

This keeps your SMS list feeling like a special club, not just another promo channel.

Tip: With Orders.co’s restaurant marketing solution, these campaigns can be fully automated. You can even schedule texts based on customer activity, order history, or time of day. 

And if you’re not sure where to begin, we’ll help you start with proven restaurant promotion message examples that are ready to send.

Want to test one of these strategies today? Book a free demo and we’ll help you build your first campaign.

How Orders.co Makes SMS Smarter, Not Harder?

Most restaurant owners don’t have time to manage campaigns, write perfect messages, or track who got what. That’s where Orders.co comes in.

We’ve built sms marketing for restaurants into a system that works in the background—while you focus on running your business.

Here’s what makes it different:

Personalized Messages at Scale

Using order history, dining preferences, and even time of day, Orders.co can send texts that feel personal to each customer.

• Someone who always orders lunch on Fridays? They’ll get a Friday lunch special at 11 AM.
  
• A customer who hasn’t ordered in a while? They’ll get a friendly nudge with a deal just for them.
  

No guesswork. Just targeted communication that feels one-on-one.

Built-in Integration with Your POS and Menu

Orders.co connects with your existing point-of-sale system and digital menu. This means your texts are always accurate—no sending promotions for sold-out items or wrong prices.

• Update an item’s availability? It’s instantly reflected in your texts.
  
• New dish added to the menu? You can promote it right away, without logging into multiple platforms.
  

Automation That Doesn’t Feel Robotic

You can set up automated campaigns—like birthdays, win-back offers, or post-order messages—with just a few clicks. Then let them run.

But unlike other platforms, Orders.co keeps things human. Every message can be customized with your restaurant’s voice, offers, and timing.

Easy Segmentation

Send different messages to first-timers, regulars, VIPs, or even customers who order through a specific delivery app. Target by:

• Visit frequency
  
• Favorite dishes
  
• Location
  
• Time of day
  
• Order channel (pickup, delivery, dine-in)
  

This kind of restaurant message to customers drives higher response rates because it’s more relevant to each group.

Everything in One Place

You don’t need to log into a separate marketing tool. Orders.co puts your SMS, online orders, menu, and reporting all in the same dashboard.

Text marketing for restaurants is no longer an “extra” tool—it’s just part of how you run your business, and it works alongside everything else.

Want to see how your restaurant could use smart texting to grow sales? Start with our $29/month plan or schedule a free walkthrough with our team.

Why SMS Gets Results: What Restaurant Customers Actually Respond To

Most marketing channels fight for attention. SMS doesn’t have that problem. Customers read texts because they expect them to be useful and fast.

That expectation is what gives sms marketing for restaurants an edge. When a customer sees a message from your restaurant, they assume it’s timely, relevant, and worth a look.

Here’s what actually drives them to respond:

• Urgency works. Limited-time offers and same-day deals perform best because customers feel like they might miss out.
  
  • Example: “Flash deal! Free fries with any order until 3 PM. Click to order.”
    
• Timing matters. Messages sent just before mealtimes tend to see higher response rates. The decision to order often happens within 30–60 minutes of the meal.
  
  • Try: Sending lunch promos around 10:30 AM or dinner specials between 4–5 PM.
    
• People want value, not fluff. SMS feels different from ads or emails because it’s straight to the point. That’s why your message should include a clear offer and a reason to act.
  
• Customers are used to messaging. Text is the preferred communication method for most people, especially younger diners. They’re far more likely to respond to a short message than an email.
  
• Consistency builds trust. SMS campaigns that show up regularly (but not too often) keep your restaurant top of mind, without overwhelming customers.
  

Used the right way, SMS isn’t just another marketing tool—it becomes part of your customer’s dining routine. And that’s where the real results come from.

Best Practices To Avoid Burnout And Boost Results

When it comes to sms marketing for restaurants, success isn’t just about what you send—it’s about how and when you send it. A good message at the wrong time, or too many messages without a clear purpose, can lead to opt-outs and lost trust.

To keep your campaigns effective (and your customers engaged), here are a few proven practices that work:

1. Always Get Permission First

Don’t send texts unless customers clearly opt in. This isn’t just a best practice—it’s the law. Whether it’s through your website, online ordering system, or a table-top signup, make sure customers know what they’re signing up for. Orders.co helps automate this process and keeps you compliant with regulations like TCPA and GDPR.

2. Choose the Right Timing

Text too early or too late, and your message could feel intrusive. For most restaurants, the best windows are:

• 10:30–11:30 AM for lunch offers
  
• 3:00–5:00 PM for dinner promos
  
• Weekends around 9–10 AM for brunch updates
  

Avoid late-night texts unless you’re specifically targeting night owls or late-shift customers.

3. Keep It Short and Clear

The best restaurant message to customers is one they can read and understand in seconds. Aim for fewer than 160 characters. Focus on one offer, one action, and one deadline.

Examples:

• “Show this text for 10% off lunch today (11–2 only).”
  
• “Try our new spicy ramen. Free drink with any order—today only.”
  

4. Segment Your List

Not every customer wants the same thing. Using segmentation, you can send tailored messages that match customer habits and preferences.

You might group by:

• New customers vs. returning ones
  
• Pickup vs. delivery users
  
• Vegan eaters, meat lovers, families, etc.
  
• Neighborhood or ZIP code
  

Orders.co makes this easy by tracking order history, visit frequency, and item preferences automatically.

5. Don’t Overdo It

Customers love useful messages—but not too many. Stick to 1–2 texts per week unless you’re running a specific promotion. Make every message feel like it’s worth their time.

6. Make Opt-Out Easy

Always include a simple way to stop messages. Something like “Reply STOP to unsubscribe” isn’t just required—it builds trust. And customers who feel respected are more likely to return.

Reporting & Optimization: What To Track (and Why It Matters)?

Sending a text is just the start. To really get value from sms marketing for restaurants, you need to look at the results. But don’t worry—this doesn’t mean spreadsheets or complicated dashboards.

If you can check a few basic numbers, you’ll know what’s working and what to improve. Here’s what to focus on:

• How many people opened your message: This tells you if your timing and subject caught their attention. If very few people are opening, try sending messages at a different time or with a clearer offer.
  
• How many people clicked your link: If you added a link to your menu or ordering site, this shows how many people were interested enough to learn more. If clicks are low, your offer might need to be more exciting, or your message shorter and clearer.
  
• How many orders came from your message: This is the big one. You want to know how many people actually ordered because of your text. With Orders.co, you can track this automatically without doing any extra work.
  
• Which texts perform best: After a few campaigns, you’ll notice patterns. Maybe your weekday lunch specials do great, but your Friday night reminders fall flat. Use that info to send more of what works and less of what doesn’t.
  
• Which customers respond the most: You might see that new customers jump on discounts, while your regulars love loyalty rewards. This helps you send the right offers to the right people.
  
• How customers respond to feedback requests: After someone orders, you can send a quick “How was your meal?” message. Positive feedback can turn into reviews. Negative feedback can be handled before it shows up online.

Whether you run one location or five, this isn’t about adding more to your plate—it’s about using one message to bring in more orders, more often.

Want help getting started? Book a free demo today. We’ll show you how to send your first campaign and start seeing results in just a few days.

The Full Toolkit Behind Smarter Restaurant Growth

Text messaging is one of the most practical, cost-effective ways to connect with your guests and grow your restaurant’s revenue. With over 70% of consumers acting on texts, there’s no question it belongs in your marketing playbook.

But effective SMS marketing works best when it’s part of a bigger system built for restaurants.

Here’s how Orders.co supports you beyond just messaging:

Restaurant Online Orders Management

Bring all your third-party delivery apps into one tablet and one ticket printer. No more switching between devices or missing orders during rush hours. Orders.co’s restaurant online orders management feature lets you manage Grubhub, Uber Eats, DoorDash, and more from one screen, keeping things fast, accurate, and organized.

Local Business Optimization

Make sure your restaurant appears correctly on Google, Yelp, Apple Maps, and 80+ other listings with a local business optimization tool. We update and manage your online presence to help more nearby customers find you—and choose you—when they search for food. This boosts visibility and can directly impact your local traffic and online orders.

Menu Management

Edit prices, photos, descriptions, and availability across all platforms from one Master Menu. Updates go live within minutes, and you can even create special pricing for different delivery apps. No more logging into multiple portals or worrying about outdated items showing up for customers.

Custom Ordering Website

Launch your own branded, commission-free direct ordering website that reflects your restaurant’s style and menu. Customers can order directly, and you keep 100% of the revenue. Built-in loyalty rewards, upsell options, and smart menu design help drive repeat business and larger check sizes.

Guest Feedback Monitoring

Automatically request feedback after orders and track reviews across platforms. Address issues privately before they hit Yelp or Google, and highlight positive experiences to grow your reputation. It’s a proactive way to protect and improve your customer relationships.

Integrations

Orders.co integrates with over 30 POS systems and major delivery apps, so your tech works together, not against you. Orders are injected directly into your POS, minimizing human error and saving time on reconciliation or manual entry.

Reporting

Access real-time reports across all your online ordering platforms, locations, and sales channels. See which items are selling best, when your peak hours are, and which promotions bring in actual revenue. Use the data to make smarter menu, staffing, and marketing decisions.

Dispute Management

Manage chargebacks and platform disputes in one place. Upload receipts, respond to claims, and track resolutions—all without digging through different apps or emails. This helps reduce lost revenue and saves hours of admin time every month.

SMS brings in the orders. Orders.co helps you manage the rest.

If you’re ready to simplify operations and grow direct sales, book your free demo or try our entry plan for just $29/month.

FAQ

How do I start collecting phone numbers for SMS marketing without annoying my customers?

Start by offering value in exchange for their number. For example, promote an instant discount (“Get 10% off your next order when you sign up for text updates”) at the point of checkout, on table tents, receipts, or your website. Make sure the signup process is quick and clearly states what they’ll receive and how often.

Can I use SMS marketing even if I don’t have an online ordering system?

Yes, but it’s much more effective when paired with one. Without online ordering, you can still use texts for reservations, promotions, and event reminders—but linking to your menu or ordering site makes messages easier to act on and track.

Is it okay to use SMS for communicating with dine-in guests too?

Absolutely. SMS is a great tool for reservation confirmations, waitlist updates, VIP invites, or even follow-up thank-you messages after a dine-in experience. It’s all about keeping your restaurant top of mind in a helpful, respectful way.

What happens if someone replies to my promotional texts?

With Orders.co, you can enable two-way messaging or set automated replies. You can choose whether to allow responses (e.g., to confirm reservations or ask questions) or simply use keywords like “STOP” to manage opt-outs automatically. You’re always in control.

Can I use SMS marketing for special events like catering or holiday menus?

Yes—and it’s one of the best use cases. SMS is perfect for last-minute reminders or promotions tied to specific dates. You can segment your audience and send personalized invites for catering services, Valentine’s Day specials, or pre-orders for Thanksgiving dinner.

Will I need to hire someone to manage SMS marketing?

Not with Orders.co. The platform is designed for owners and managers to use without a marketing background. You can set up campaigns in minutes and use built-in templates. If you ever need help, the support team is available 24/7.

How do I make sure I’m staying compliant with texting laws?

Orders.co helps you automatically follow TCPA and GDPR guidelines. This includes opt-in confirmations, opt-out instructions, and message rate disclosures. Everything’s built into the system so you don’t have to worry about legal compliance on your own.

How often should I text my customers?

It depends on your goals, but most restaurants find that 1–2 messages per week works well. Focus on value—if your message offers a discount, important update, or early access, customers are much more likely to welcome it.