How to Use Email to Keep Restaurant Customers Coming Back

Email marketing is far from dead, people. If you think it is, then maybe it’s time you step out of your social media bubble for a hot second. Guess what?

 It still works—probably better than you think. And if you’re not using it, you’re basically leaving money on the table. Let me break it down for you.

A whopping 66% of consumers made a purchase after receiving a well-timed email. If you’re not in that 66%, well, congrats, you’re missing out.

Now, let’s talk about how to use email to keep your customers coming back for more.

Why Email Marketing Isn’t Just for Grandma’s Coupons

You know that moment when you’re scrolling through your inbox and you spot an email from a restaurant? If it’s interesting, you’re actually gonna open it. And then, boom—you’re booking a table, ordering delivery, or maybe even just getting hungry and craving what they’re offering.

The key here is that email marketing still works, and if you’re not taking advantage of it, it’s like ignoring a goldmine.

Personalization: Stop Being a Lazy Marketer

Here’s the hard truth: generic emails suck. Don’t even think about sending an email that just says “Come dine with us.” No.

Personalization is everything.

Keep It Short & Sweet: No One Wants to Read a Novel

Listen, people’s inboxes are a war zone. If your email looks like it’s going to take 15 minutes to read, they’re just going to delete it. You have, like, 2 seconds to grab their attention. So, don’t bore them to death with a novel.

→ Subject Lines Matter
 Be punchy. Be brief. A good subject line could be the difference between getting opened or sent straight to trash.

 Here’s what works:

    • “Your Favorite Dish is Back 🥘”
    • “Got 10 Minutes? Get a Free App!”
    • “Just For You—Your Next Meal is on Us.”
    •  
    • → Action-Oriented CTAs (Call-To-Actions)
       Don’t get cute with it. Be clear. Tell them what you want them to do, and make it easy. “Click Here to Order Now,” “Book Your Table,” or even “Get 20% Off Today” will get them clicking. Period.

Send Emails Regularly (But Not Like a Freaking Spam Machine)

Consistency is key here, but please, for the love of all that is holy, don’t send emails every day. No one wants that. The goal is to keep them engaged without annoying them.

What’s the right amount of emails? Here’s the breakdown:

And if you’re sending emails, make sure they’re relevant to the moment. Don’t hit them with “Order your holiday feast” in the middle of July.

The Magic of “Abandoned Cart” Emails: Because People Are Forgetful

Okay, so someone adds an order to their cart and bails. No big deal, right? Wrong. You’ve got one shot to reel them back in.

You need to send an email reminding them about that abandoned cart.

Timing: The Most Underrated Element of Email Marketing

Timing is crucial. You can have the most amazing email, but if you send it at the wrong time, it’ll never get opened.

→ Best Time to Send Emails?
 10 AM is prime time. People are awake, caffeinated, and actually checking their emails.

→ Weekend Deals? Send them on Thursday.
 If you’ve got a weekend special, don’t wait until Friday morning. Send it Thursday to give people enough time to plan.

Exclusive Deals & Rewards: Get Them Hooked (And Make Them Feel Like VIPs)

Everyone loves feeling special, and if you want your email subscribers to feel like they’re part of an elite group, you need to offer them deals that aren’t available to the general public.

→ Loyalty Programs
 Set up an email-based loyalty program. Customers earn points with every order. After a certain amount, they get a freebie or a discount. Simple.

→ Early Access to New Menu Items
 Launching a new dish? Give your email list first dibs. Make them feel like insiders. VIP access is a huge deal.

Mobile Optimization: Because Who Even Uses Desktop Anymore?

If you’re not optimizing for mobile, you might as well just quit now. Everyone is on their phones checking their email, so your restaurant emails need to look great on small screens.

Track Your Results: No Guesswork Allowed

Just because you sent the email doesn’t mean it’s working. You need to track the numbers.

If you’re not measuring this, you’re just guessing. And guess what? Guessing isn’t a strategy.

Bonus: SEO & Email Marketing Are Better Together

Here’s a little extra tip: SEO isn’t just for your website. You can totally use SEO strategies for your email marketing too. By using the right keywords in your email copy, you can boost your chances of showing up in your customers’ inboxes. For a deeper dive into how SEO can help your restaurant, check out this guide on SEO Keywords for Restaurants.

Conclusion: Email Marketing Is Your Secret Weapon (If You Use It Right)

At this point, if you’re not using email marketing, you’re missing out on a ton of potential revenue. But here’s the catch: you can’t just send some generic crap and hope it works. No one’s going to engage with that. You need to be smart, personalized, and strategic.

If you do it right—if you nail the timing, personalization, and exclusivity—you’ll have your customers coming back for more. It’s simple, it’s effective, and if you’re not doing it, well, you’re leaving money on the table. So get to work, and don’t forget to measure your results.

Now go, email like a boss.

Chatting with a Marketing Expert

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