Running a local restaurant can feel like a constant juggling act. You pour your heart and soul into creating delicious food and a welcoming atmosphere. But between staffing, ingredients, and keeping the lights on, flashy advertising campaigns often feel out of reach. The reality is that even with limited time and budget resources, effective marketing is crucial for attracting new customers and keeping your loyal ones coming back for more.
That’s where text marketing comes in. At Olive + Leo, we’ve seen firsthand the power of text marketing for restaurants. Here are just a few statistics that speak to its effectiveness:
- 62% of consumers prefer to get restaurant info via text.
- Bar and restaurant text messages achieve a 45% response rate.
- Businesses can expect ROI rates as high as $8.11 per message from their SMS marketing campaigns.
Olive + Leo’s customer loyalty platform for restaurants seamlessly integrates text marketing with other digital tools to help you cultivate customer engagement and drive revenue. Our platform allows you to send automated text messages to your restaurant’s customers based on a variety of information and actions. In this post, we’ll share some of our most effective text marketing campaigns designed specifically for the hospitality industry, all with a budget-conscious approach in mind.
Affordable and Effective Text Marketing Ideas for Restaurants
1. Welcome Wagon
Let’s face it—signing up for a loyalty program can feel a bit…meh. Spice things up by sending a text that confirms enrollment and throws in a special offer to sweeten the deal. This will capture the attention of your customers and encourage a return visit soon.
Pro Tip: Don’t overwhelm them right after they sign up. Wait an hour or two after their visit to send the offer, when they’ve had some time to think about their delicious meal and great experience.
2. Birthday Cheers!
Birthdays are a time for celebration, and restaurants can be a big part of those special days. You can show your customers you care by sending a text offer valid for a designated period around their birthday.
Pro Tip: People often have plans on their actual birthdays. Make the offer valid for a flexible timeframe so they have more options to redeem it.
3. “We Miss You” Offers
Customer loyalty programs are a two-way street. This is where the Olive + Leo platform truly shines. With Olive + Leo’s loyalty program check-ins and text marketing integration, you can automatically send personalized offers to customers who haven’t visited in a while. Think enticing discounts or a free drink based on what’s popular on your menu.
Pro Tip: Tailor your “we miss you” timing strategically. Coffee shops with frequent visitors might send an offer after 30 days, while a high-end restaurant could wait 60 days before reaching out.
4. Unique Food Holidays and Timely Events
Holidays and special events present a golden opportunity to drive revenue with targeted text message promotions. For example, ice cream shops can send irresistible deals on National Ice Cream Day, while sports bars can remind customers about special deals and watch parties during big games.
Pro Tip: Put yourself in your customer’s shoes. What kind of offer would make them choose your establishment over the competition while helping you maintain your profit margins?
5. New Menu Items and Restaurant Events
New menu items and special events deserve to be celebrated! With an average open rate of 98%, text marketing lets you get the word out quickly and effectively. You could send a text message announcing your new menu additions or upcoming events, complete with a captivating description and a call to action to make a reservation or pre-order.
Pro Tip: Don’t bombard your customers with constant texts about new menu items. Information overload can lead to message fatigue and ignored texts.
Increase Customer Loyalty and Sales with Text Marketing
Text marketing is a powerful tool that can be leveraged by any restaurant, regardless of budget. It lets you connect directly with your customers, drive sales, and build lasting loyalty. Olive + Leo’s platform offers user-friendly text marketing tools alongside other digital marketing solutions designed specifically for the hospitality industry.
Explore our platform and customizable packages to learn how Olive + Leo can help you elevate and enhance your restaurant marketing.
