Email Marketing
$497
Per month
- Up to 4 campaigns per month
- Automations: welcome, birthday, and win-back
Restaurant email & SMS marketing: Bring regulars back more often.
Conversion Crest runs restaurant email marketing and text message marketing for independent restaurants. That means newsletters, birthday and loyalty emails, and well-timed texts for specials, events, and slow nights. I write them, send them, and tell you what worked.
Why it matters
Why email and SMS marketing work for restaurants
Email and texts reach people who already know and like your restaurant, and you own that list. No algorithm decides who sees your message, which makes them the most direct way to turn a one-time visit into a regular.
Google and social media help new people find you. Email and SMS bring them back. You don't pay per view, and you choose the timing: a birthday treat, a new seasonal menu, or a slow Tuesday that needs a nudge.
It works for every kind of restaurant: a café's loyalty club, a brewery's release-night texts, a caterer's holiday reminders, or a fine dining room's wine dinner invitations.
Not sure which one to start with? Read email vs. SMS marketing for restaurants.
Restaurant email marketing
Email builds the relationship. It's best for stories, menus, events, and automatic birthday and loyalty messages.
- Newsletters: what's new, seasonal dishes, and behind-the-scenes stories
- Promotions: specials, holiday menus, gift cards, and catering
- Birthday emails: sent automatically with a treat to celebrate with you
- Loyalty and "we miss you" emails: automatic nudges for guests who haven't been in lately
Text message marketing for restaurants
Texts get read fast, so SMS is best for short, timely offers when the timing matters more than the details.
- Specials: tonight's special or a limited-time dish
- Events: live music, trivia, wine dinners, and holiday reservations
- Slow-night promos: a well-timed offer to fill seats on a quiet night
- Quick updates: holiday hours, patio openings, and last-minute changes
Common problems
Email and SMS problems I fix for restaurants
Most restaurants either aren't collecting contacts at all, or have a list they never use. Both are easy to fix.
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No customer list
Guests come and go with no way to stay in touch. I set up simple ways for them to join.
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A list sitting unused
Your POS or ordering app has been collecting emails for years. I put that list to work.
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Sending only now and then
One email at Christmas isn't a strategy. I set a steady, realistic calendar.
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Discounts only
Constant coupons train people to wait for deals. I mix in stories, menus, and events.
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Texting without proper consent
It's risky and can get your number blocked. I set up compliant opt-in and opt-out.
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No idea what's working
I track opens, clicks, and redemptions and explain them in plain English.
Growing your list the right way
How to grow a restaurant customer list the right way
Build your list from real guests who asked to hear from you. That keeps your messages out of spam folders, keeps unsubscribes low, and keeps you on the right side of the rules.
- Table tents and receipt QR codes
- Sign-up forms on your website and Wi-Fi login
- Online ordering and reservation opt-ins
- A birthday club guests actually want to join
Done the compliant way
- Clear opt-in: people know what they're signing up for
- Easy opt-out in every message (unsubscribe links, reply STOP)
- Consent records kept for texting
- No bought or scraped lists, ever
- Sensible sending so guests don't feel spammed
What's included
What's included in restaurant email and SMS marketing
I handle everything from setup to reporting, so all you do is approve the plan and serve the guests who come back.
Platform setup
Your email and texting tools set up and connected, often using what your POS already offers.
Sign-up forms and QR codes
Easy ways for guests to join, in-store and online.
Writing and design
Messages written in your voice, with photos of your food.
Scheduling and sending
A simple calendar of what goes out and when.
Automations
Birthday, welcome, and win-back messages that run on their own.
Plain-English reporting
Who opened, who clicked, and what worked, without the jargon.
The process
How restaurant email and SMS marketing works with me
We start by looking at how you reach guests today. Then I set up the tools, start growing your list, and send on a steady monthly calendar.
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Free audit
I look at any lists you already have, your POS and ordering tools, and how guests could sign up.
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Setup and sign-ups
I set up your platform, compliant opt-in forms, QR codes, and automations.
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Monthly calendar
You approve a simple plan of emails and texts. I write and send them.
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Report and improve
Each month you get a short, plain-English report and ideas for what to try next.
Pricing
How much restaurant email and SMS marketing costs
Email Marketing is $497/month, SMS Marketing is $397/month, and the Email + SMS Bundle is $797/month. You pay your own email and SMS platform fees directly (for example, Mailchimp or your SMS provider).
SMS Marketing
$397
Per month
- Up to 4 campaigns per month
- Compliant opt-in and opt-out setup
Email + SMS Bundle
$797
Per month
- Email Marketing and SMS Marketing together
- $97/month less than buying both separately
Email is also included in the Growth plan ($797/month), and email plus SMS in Full Service ($1,497/month). Every engagement starts with a free audit. Compare all plans.
FAQ
Restaurant email and SMS marketing questions
Is SMS marketing legal for restaurants?
Yes, when it's done with consent. In the U.S., marketing texts require the customer's clear written agreement, such as checking a box or texting a keyword to join. Every message needs an easy way to opt out, like replying STOP, and business texting numbers generally have to be registered with the phone carriers. I set all of this up properly. I'm not a lawyer, so check with yours if you have specific legal questions.
How do restaurants build an email list?
By giving guests easy, honest reasons to join: a QR code on table tents or receipts, a sign-up form on your website, opt-ins during online ordering or reservations, and a birthday club with a small treat. Never buy or scrape lists. They hurt your delivery and break the rules.
How often should a restaurant send marketing emails?
Usually two to four times a month, plus automatic emails like birthday and welcome messages. Consistency matters more than volume. A useful email every week or two beats a flood of discounts.
How often can a restaurant text customers?
Keep marketing texts to a few a month, only when there's a real reason: tonight's special, an event, or a slow-night offer. Tell people how often to expect texts when they sign up, and send during reasonable daytime and early-evening hours.
How much does SMS marketing cost for a restaurant?
SMS Marketing is $397/month for up to 4 campaigns, or $797/month bundled with email. You also pay your texting platform's fees directly, which are usually a monthly plan plus a small charge per message. Longer texts and picture messages cost more.
Do I need special software for restaurant email marketing?
You need an email or texting platform, such as Mailchimp, and many POS systems include one. You pay the platform's fees directly. I recommend what fits your size and budget and set it up for you.
Who writes the emails and texts?
I do, in your restaurant's voice. You approve the plan, and I can send drafts for your approval until you're comfortable letting me run it.
Related
Ready to bring guests back more often?
Start with a free restaurant marketing audit. I'll look at how you reach customers today and suggest a simple plan.