Best SMS Marketing Strategies for Restaurants, Cafes, and Bars

To stay on top of the competition, restaurants, cafes, and bars need marketing channels that cut through the noise and reach customers instantly. Restaurant SMS marketing offers exactly that—a direct line to your customers' pockets with unmatched immediacy and engagement rates.

Unlike email marketing, which can get buried in crowded inboxes, or social media posts that reach only a fraction of your followers, text messages boast an impressive 98% open rate and are typically read within three minutes of delivery. This makes SMS marketing an incredibly powerful tool for food and beverage businesses looking to drive immediate action, be it filling tables during slow hours, promoting time-sensitive offers, or building lasting customer loyalty.

This article covers all you need to know about SMS marketing for restaurants, including why it works, best practices, and restaurant SMS sample messages.  

Why SMS Works for Food and Beverage Businesses

SMS marketing has become a game-changer for restaurants, cafes, and bars, and the statistics speak for themselves. While email marketing averages a 20% open rate, SMS messages achieve an astounding 98% open rate, with 90% of messages read within the first three minutes of delivery.

It’s an ideal channel for modern consumers. People today are mobile-first, constantly checking their phones and expecting instant gratification. When a customer receives a text about a flash sale on craft cocktails or a reminder about their dinner reservation, they're likely to see and act on it right away.

From a business perspective, SMS marketing offers an exceptional return on investment. The cost per message is minimal compared to traditional advertising, yet the impact is substantial. Restaurants using SMS marketing report increased customer retention rates, higher average order values, and improved table turnover during previously slow periods.

Most importantly, SMS builds genuine loyalty through consistent, valuable communication. When customers receive personalized messages that enhance their dining experience – like birthday discounts, early access to new menu items, or VIP event invitations – they feel valued and are more likely to become repeat customers and brand advocates.

Top SMS Marketing Strategies for Restaurants, Cafes, and Bars

Promote Daily Specials and Limited-Time Offers

One of the most effective uses of restaurant SMS marketing is promoting time-sensitive offers that create urgency and drive immediate action. Daily specials, flash sales, and limited-time promotions are perfect for text messaging because they require quick decision-making. The key is to make the messages feel exclusive and time-bound, encouraging customers to act quickly rather than putting off their visit. Here are a few restaurant promotion message examples for inspiration: 

Examples:

“FLASH SALE: 50% off all pizzas today only! Valid until 6 PM or while supplies last. Show this text to claim.”

"Wednesday Special: Buy any salad, get a free soup! Perfect for this chilly weather. Available all day at Mario's Bistro."

"Happy Hour Extended: $5 signature cocktails until 8 PM tonight! Grab your friends and join us. No reservation needed."

Send Reservation Confirmations and Reminders

SMS excels at operational communication that improves the customer experience while reducing no-shows. Reservation confirmations and reminders sent via text are more reliable than email and help customers stay organized. These messages reduce confusion, minimize no-shows, and demonstrate professionalism that enhances your restaurant's reputation.

Examples:

"Hi Sarah! Your reservation for 4 guests at The Garden Terrace is confirmed for Saturday, Oct 15 at 7:30 PM. Reply CANCEL if plans change. See you soon!"

"Reminder: Your dinner reservation is tomorrow at 7 PM for 2 guests. We're excited to serve you! Call (555) 123-4567 if you need to modify."

"Your table is ready! Please arrive within the next 15 minutes. We're holding your reservation at the host stand."

Share Loyalty Rewards and VIP Perks

Transform one-time diners into loyal customers by using SMS to deliver exclusive rewards and VIP treatment. Loyalty program communications via text feel more personal and immediate than email newsletters. These messages make customers feel special and provide tangible value that encourages repeat visits.

Examples:

"Congrats, Maria! You've earned a FREE appetizer with your next entrée. Valid through month-end. You're valued!"

"VIP EXCLUSIVE: New fall menu launches Monday, but you get first taste this weekend! Book your preview dinner today."

"Birthday month special! Enjoy a complimentary dessert any day in October. Just mention this text when ordering. Happy Birthday from Tony's!"

Drive Traffic During Slow Hours

Every restaurant has slow periods, whether it's weekday afternoons, early dinners, or specific days of the week. SMS marketing can strategically boost traffic during these times with targeted promotions. Time-specific offers help balance your customer flow throughout the day and maximize revenue during typically slower periods.

Examples:

"Beat the Monday blues! 25% off all entrées from 2-5 PM today. Perfect for an early dinner or late lunch treat."

"Tuesday Slow? Not anymore! $10 burgers and fries combo, available until 4 PM. Skip the dinner rush and treat yourself."

"Quiet afternoon = Perfect coffee break! Buy any specialty drink, get a pastry for $2. Valid until 3 PM at Sunset Café."

Collect Feedback With Post-Visit Surveys

Customer feedback is crucial for improving service, but getting responses can be challenging. SMS surveys have higher response rates than email and provide immediate insights into the dining experience. Keep surveys short and mobile-friendly to maximize completion rates and gather actionable insights.

Examples:

"Thanks for dining with us last night! Quick favor: Rate your experience 1-10 by replying to this text. Takes 5 seconds!"

"Hi John! How was your lunch today? Reply with one word describing your visit. Your feedback helps us improve!"

"Last chance to share feedback about your weekend brunch! It only takes 30 seconds. Thanks for helping us serve you better."

Highlight Events and Live Entertainment

Restaurants with entertainment offerings can use SMS to build excitement and ensure good turnout for special events, live music, trivia nights, or seasonal celebrations. Event notifications and text message invitations create anticipation and help fill seats for special occasions that might otherwise have lower attendance.

Examples:

"TONIGHT: Jazz trio performs 7-10 PM! Reserve your table now for an unforgettable evening. Call (555) 123-4567"

"Trivia Night Tomorrow! Form your team and compete for a $100 gift card. Kitchen open until midnight. See you there!"

"Halloween Party Saturday! Costume contest, themed cocktails, and spooky surprises. RSVP by replying YES to this message."

Upsell Online Ordering and Delivery

With the rise of takeout and delivery, SMS can effectively promote your online ordering platform and drive digital sales, especially during peak ordering times. These messages provide convenience while driving revenue through your digital channels.

Examples:

"Craving our famous pasta? Order online for 20% off pickup orders today! No wait, no crowds."

"Rainy day = Perfect delivery day! Free delivery on orders over $25 through our app.”

"Beat the lunch rush! Pre-order your favorites and skip the line. Ready in 15 minutes."

Best Practices for SMS Marketing in Hospitality

Always Get Customer Consent

Successful restaurant SMS marketing comes down to proper consent. Never send promotional messages to customers who haven't explicitly opted in. Your opt-in process should be clear and valuable by offering immediate incentives like a welcome discount or exclusive access to deals.

You can even apply double opt-in processes where customers confirm their subscription, and always include clear opt-out instructions in every message. This not only guarantees compliance with regulations but also builds trust with your audience.

Keep Messages Short and Clear

SMS has a 160-character limit for single messages, so brevity is essential. Get straight to the point with clear, actionable language. Start with the most important information—the offer, event, or reminder—and then include necessary details like timing, location, or next steps.

Avoid industry jargon and focus on benefits rather than features. Instead of "Prix fixe menu available," write "3-course dinner for $35 tonight only!"

Personalize With Names, Preferences, or Order History

Personalized SMS marketing dramatically increases engagement rates. Use customers' names, reference their favorite dishes, or acknowledge their dining history. "Hi Jennifer, your usual table by the window is available tonight" feels much more compelling than a generic promotional blast.

Take advantage of your POS system data to segment customers based on preferences, spending habits, or visit frequency, then tailor messages accordingly.

Use Urgency Wisely

Creating urgency can drive immediate action, but overusing urgent language can desensitize customers and damage credibility. Reserve urgent messaging for genuinely time-sensitive offers like daily specials, flash sales, or last-minute availability.

Use phrases like "today only," "while supplies last," or "limited time" sparingly and authentically.

Don't Over-Message

Frequency is crucial when it comes to creating SMS campaigns. Too many messages will lead to opt-outs and customer frustration, while too few won't maintain engagement. Most successful restaurants send 2-4 messages per month, with additional messages for special occasions or urgent communications.

Monitor your opt-out rates and customer feedback to find the optimal frequency for your audience.

Why Choose Dexatel for Restaurant SMS Marketing

Dexatel offers food and beverage businesses a comprehensive omnichannel communication platform that goes beyond simple SMS broadcasting. The platform supports multiple messaging channels, including SMS, WhatsApp, Viber, and more, allowing restaurants to meet customers where they prefer to communicate.

The platform's API integration capabilities seamlessly connect with existing POS systems, reservation platforms, and customer databases, automating message triggers based on customer actions like bookings, orders, or birthdays. This integration eliminates manual work while allowing for timely, relevant communications.

Dexatel's global routing infrastructure guarantees high deliverability rates, meaning your messages reach customers reliably regardless of their location or mobile carrier. The platform's analytics dashboard provides detailed insights into campaign performance, delivery rates, and customer engagement, helping restaurants optimize their messaging strategies.

Meanwhile, advanced features like message scheduling, customer segmentation, and automated drip campaigns make it easy for busy restaurant owners to maintain consistent communication without constant manual effort.

To Conclude

SMS marketing for restaurants, cafes, and bars represents one of the most cost-effective and immediate ways to connect with customers, drive traffic, and build lasting loyalty. With open rates near 98% and the ability to deliver personalized, time-sensitive messages directly to customers' phones, text messaging cuts through digital noise like no other channel.

Be it promoting daily specials, sending reservation reminders, rewarding loyal customers, or driving traffic during slow hours, SMS provides the immediacy and personal touch that modern diners expect. The key lies in obtaining proper consent, keeping messages valuable and concise, personalizing communications, and respecting customers' time and preferences.

Start building stronger customer relationships and driving more revenue today with Dexatel's comprehensive messaging platform.