• By Charlie Davies
• SMS Marketing

SMS Marketing for Restaurants: Complete Guide to Fill More Tables

The restaurant industry is highly competitive, with thin margins and constant challenges in filling seats. SMS marketing offers restaurants a direct line to customers' pockets—literally. With open rates exceeding 95%, SMS is the perfect channel for driving reservations, promoting specials, and building a loyal dining community.

Building Your Restaurant SMS List

Start by collecting phone numbers at checkout, through table tents with text-to-join keywords, or via your website and social media. Offer an incentive like "Text PIZZA to 12345 for 15% off your next order" to encourage sign-ups. Make sure to clearly communicate what subscribers will receive.

Promoting Daily Specials and Limited-Time Offers

SMS excels at creating urgency. Send messages about daily specials, happy hour deals, or weekend brunch promotions. Time your messages strategically—send lunch specials at 10:30 AM or dinner promotions around 4 PM when people are deciding where to eat.

Reservation Reminders to Reduce No-Shows

No-shows cost restaurants thousands in lost revenue. Send automated reservation confirmations and reminders 24 hours before the booking. Include an easy way to confirm or cancel, allowing you to fill the table if someone cancels. This simple step can reduce no-shows by up to 30%.

VIP Lists for Special Events

Create an exclusive VIP SMS list for your best customers. Give them first access to special tasting menus, wine pairing events, or chef's table experiences. This exclusivity makes customers feel valued and strengthens their loyalty to your restaurant.

Filling Slow Nights with Flash Promotions

Use SMS to fill tables during typically slow periods. Send a text on Tuesday afternoon offering "Show this text for 20% off dinner tonight" to drive last-minute traffic. The immediacy of SMS makes it perfect for filling empty tables quickly.

Birthday and Anniversary Campaigns

Collect birthdays when customers sign up for your SMS list. Send automated birthday messages with a free dessert or discount. These personal touches create memorable experiences that customers share with friends and family, often bringing in additional guests.

Seasonal Menu Launches

When you launch a new seasonal menu or signature dishes, announce it first to your SMS subscribers. This gives them insider access and creates excitement. Include a call-to-action to make a reservation to try the new offerings.

SMS Campaign Ideas for Restaurants

• • Welcome message with first-visit discount
• • Weekly specials on slow nights
• • Last-minute table availability alerts
• • Loyalty rewards updates
• • New menu item announcements
• • Holiday booking reminders
• • Catering service promotions

Frequently Asked Questions

How often should restaurants send SMS messages?
Most restaurants find success with 2-4 messages per month, plus transactional messages like reservation confirmations. Avoid over-messaging, which leads to unsubscribes.

What's the best time to send restaurant SMS?
For lunch promotions, send between 10:30-11:30 AM. For dinner, send between 3:30-5 PM. Weekend brunch promotions work well on Friday evenings.

Can I use SMS for takeout and delivery orders?
Absolutely. SMS is perfect for order confirmations, delivery updates, and promoting takeout specials. Many restaurants see higher engagement with SMS than with app notifications.

Conclusion

SMS marketing is a game-changer for restaurants looking to increase foot traffic, reduce no-shows, and build customer loyalty. Its immediacy and high engagement rates make it ideal for the time-sensitive nature of the restaurant business. Start with simple campaigns and grow your SMS strategy as you learn what resonates with your diners.

Ready to fill more tables and boost your restaurant's revenue? Start your SMS marketing journey today.