December is a prime time for restaurants to increase revenue, but it also presents unique challenges. With the holiday season in full swing, competition for customers is fierce. Many people are busy with holiday shopping, parties, and family gatherings, leaving less time for dining out. Plus, the weather can be wonky. Sometimes it’s freezing, and sometimes it’s pouring. These challenges make it essential for restaurants to have a well-crafted marketing strategy to stand out and attract customers.
This is where text marketing comes in.
Text marketing allows you to reach customers instantly with offers, events, and reminders at the perfect moment. It’s also easy to set up—many POS systems already have built-in text marketing features. At Olive + Leo, we love helping our clients think through creative ways to use these tools to build customer loyalty and boost foot traffic during the holidays.
Best Practices for Restaurant Text Marketing During the Holidays
To make the most of your holiday text campaigns, here are some best practices and strategies for restaurants:
1. Don’t be a Grinch and spam your customers.
Timing is everything in the holiday hustle and bustle! Keep your text messages intentional and spaced out to avoid overwhelming them. Instead of sending daily updates, try targeting key moments—like weekends, paydays, or the day before a big event.
The holidays are all about spending time with family, friends, and coworkers. Send a message like, “🎄Planning a group gathering? Get 10% off a pitcher of drinks when you book a table for 6+ people this weekend!” Group deals encourage people to visit with larger parties, which means more sales for you.
2. Unwrap a Little Bit of Fun with a Countdown Series
Create some buzz by sending a countdown series of text messages in the days leading up to the holiday. Each message can reveal a different offer, event, or festive menu item. For example, “🎁 5 days until Christmas! Enjoy 10% off all desserts today only.” A countdown creates a sense of anticipation and gives customers a reason to keep your restaurant top of mind as the holiday approaches.
3. Be a Holiday Hero for Last-Minute Planners
Not everyone plans their holiday meals in advance. Appeal to last-minute planners by sending a same-day deal. Try something like, “🎄 No plans yet? Swing by today for a holiday special—20% off any entrée after 6 PM!” This strategy can fill seats that might otherwise remain empty, especially during slower periods on the holiday itself.
4. Deck the Texts with Tasty Pics
Showcase your limited-time holiday menu items to entice customers to visit. Send text updates like, “🍽️ Warm up with our spiced eggnog latte—only available this December!” Highlighting unique or seasonal offerings makes customers feel like they’ll miss out if they don’t come in soon, helping to drive both excitement and foot traffic.
5. Keep it Merry, Bright, and Brief
During the busy holiday season, customers appreciate concise messages that get to the point. Keep texts under 160 characters to ensure clarity, especially since longer messages may get split into multiple texts. Aim for direct language like, “🎄Holiday happy hour 4–6 PM today! Show this message for 10% off.”
6. Make Gift Cards the Star of the Season
Gift cards are always popular around the holidays. Use text marketing to promote special gift card offers with messages like, “🎁 Buy a $50 gift card, get $10 free—only until Dec 24th!” Not only do gift card sales boost your cash flow, but they also bring customers back after the holidays.
7. Send a Warm Thank-You Hug (via Text)
The holidays are a perfect time to show appreciation for your loyal customers. After the busy season ends, send a thank-you message like, “💖 Thank you for your support this holiday season! As a token of appreciation, enjoy 10% off your next visit.” A thoughtful message like this reinforces customer loyalty and encourages people to return during the quieter post-holiday period.
Let Olive + Leo Help You Make the Holidays Count
Our team at Olive + Leo can help you take the guesswork out of text marketing this holiday season. We specialize in helping local restaurants, coffee shops, and retailers leverage digital marketing tools to build customer loyalty. From crafting the perfect text messages to creating seasonal marketing campaigns, we’re here to support your success.
Learn more about our services or contact us today to schedule a consultation.
