As a restaurant owner, your main goal is to pack your establishment with patrons daily. Having a line of loyal customers waiting outside your door is even better.

 

More restaurants now than ever before are using SMS messages to fill their empty tables. With SMS marketing for restaurants, you can quickly inform customers about seating availability, menu changes, reservation confirmations, and more. Patrons not only get the information they need, but it also alleviates the pressure on your staff.

 

With 98% open rates and six in every 10 customers reading your message within five minutes, SMS is an effective way to engage patrons.

 

Creating templates maximizes your restaurant SMS strategies. When you make an SMS template, you can reuse the content repeatedly. This saves you both time and money. Remember to tailor your messages to your target audiences before hitting the ‘send’ button.  

 

Need some help getting started? Here are seven SMS restaurant templates every business owner can use. 

1. Restaurant booking confirmation SMS template 

Customer demands are rising. Diners don’t want to call a restaurant or wait in the lobby for a table to open up. Online reservations allow customers to book a table right from their smartphones. After a patron has booked online, send them an SMS confirmation that their reservation has been received.

 

Hi [customer name], thanks for booking a table at [your restaurant’s name]! Your reservation has been confirmed for [booking date] at [booking time]. We look forward to serving you! 

2. Booking reminder SMS template 

Busy customers might forget they’ve made a dinner reservation at your establishment. Use the following template to remind them not to miss their meal.

 

Hi [customer name], your reservation at [your establishment’s name] is tonight at [booking time]. See you soon! 

3. Curbside pickup restaurant SMS template 

Since the global pandemic, more customers have preferred contactless curbside pickups. They can avoid delivery fees while still practicing social distancing. After a customer places their order, send them an SMS containing information about their curbside pickup.

 

Thanks for your order, [customer name]! Your food will be ready for pickup at [time]. Please text HERE when you arrive. 

4. Welcome SMS template 

Enhance a patron’s experience by immediately greeting them when they walk through your door. A welcome SMS message opens a line of communication and makes it easy for customers to ask questions or get help.

 

Hi there, [customer name]! Welcome to [your restaurant’s name]. We’re excited to have you join us! If you need anything, [host name] is happy to help. Call or text this number if you need assistance. 

5. Post-visit follow-up SMS template 

After a customer dines at your restaurant, see how it went. An SMS survey helps you identify improvement opportunities or quickly address customer complaints.

Hello [patron’s name], thanks for choosing [your business’s name]. We hope you enjoyed your experience with us. Please let us know how we did or if there’s anything we can improve. 

6. Happy hour SMS template

Does your restaurant have a bar? Happy hour discounts are a great way to attract and retain new customers. Spread the word about your happy hour specials with the following template.

 

Join us for happy hour! Enjoy [price] [drink] from [time to time] on [day]. Don’t forget to tell your friends! 

7. Holiday-themed SMS templates 

The holidays can be a lucrative time for restaurants. Boost your revenue with festive holiday-themed SMS messages.

 

Happy holidays, [patron name]! Are you tired of all your holiday shopping? Grab some grub and relax at [your restaurant’s name]. Explore our full menu here: [website link].

SMS best practices for restaurants 

It’s important to follow some restaurant SMS best practices to make the most of your campaigns, including:

 

  • Only send texts to opted-in customers: Businesses are legally responsible for only sending SMS messages to consumers who have consented to receiving them. 

 

  • Keep your messages short and sweet: The character limit for a single SMS message is around 160 characters. Keep your messages clear and concise.

 

  • Personalize your SMS messages: Customers don’t want to receive texts that are irrelevant to them. Always send the right messages to the proper audiences. 

 

  • Don’t flood subscribers’ phones with texts: You’ll turn customers off by barraging them with texts. Only send two to six SMS messages per month.

Mitto simplifies restaurant SMS marketing campaigns 

Mitto Campaigns makes SMS easy for restaurants. Our simple tool lets you choose your customers, craft your message, and launch your campaign in minutes.

 

To keep your tables full, contact us now.