Email Marketing Ideas To Attract Customers To Your Restaurant

If your restaurant has never sent an email newsletter, it’s time to take this low cost marketing strategy seriously. Email marketing is a powerful tool for restaurants because it helps build and maintain relationships with customers, drives sales, and enhances brand loyalty. Compared to other forms of advertising, email marketing is relatively inexpensive. With a well-segmented email list, restaurants can reach a targeted audience without the high costs associated with traditional advertising.

Here are 7 email marketing ideas for your restaurant, bar, or cafe:

Weekly Specials & Promotions:

There is nothing better than receiving a promotional offer from your favorite brand. Highlight any upcoming specials, discounts, or promotions. This could include a “Dish of the Week,” “Happy Hour” deals, or limited-time offers. Make sure there is a clear call to action and how to redeem the special offer in the email. 

Upcoming Events:

Are you hosting a special event such as a holiday brunch, wine tasting, live music night, or specialty theme brunch? Email marketing is a great tool for a restaurant to announce the event and provide details so guests can purchase tickets or make a reservation. Make sure to use subject lines that  Announce any upcoming events such as live music nights, cooking classes, wine tastings, or holiday parties. You can also promote local community events that your restaurant supports.

Seasonal Menu Updates:

Whether it’s a seasonal cocktail menu, or a limited time menu offering, you want to blast in everywhere! Email marketing is a great way to notify customers about changes on your restaurant’s menu. Be sure to include photos of your offerings, when the item is available, and emphasize that it is a limited time offer they shouldn’t miss. 

Exclusive Offers for Subscribers:

Exclusive offers in email marketing can be a great way for restaurants to incentivize customers to visit more frequently and feel valued. Here are some ideas for exclusive offers a restaurant can provide through email marketing: Provide a limited-time discount (e.g., 20% off, $10 off a $50 purchase), free appetizer or dessert, or BOGO deals. 

Gift Card Promotions:

Gift card promotions are a great way for restaurants to boost sales, especially around holidays and special occasions. Email marketing is a great way to promote seasonal gift card promotions. Bonus points for including special offers such as "Buy $50, Get $10 Free.” This incentivizes larger purchases and makes the offer more appealing.

Promoting National Holidays & Specials:

National holidays provide great opportunities for restaurants to attract customers and boost sales through creative marketing campaigns. Restaurants should use email marketing to promote special offers, events, and more for national holidays. For example, is your restaurant hosting a prefix dinner for Valentine’s Day. Mother’s Day or Thanksgiving? What about national drinking holidays such as national tequila day, negroni week, or St Patrick’s Day?  Use email marketing to help promote the event, boost reservations, and answer any questions customers may have. 

Business Updates:

When a restaurant undergoes business changes, it’s important to keep customers informed to maintain trust, ensure transparency, and manage expectations. Here are some common business changes that a restaurant might share with its customers through email marketing: menu changes, operational hour changes, rebranding or renovations, opening a new location, sustainability efforts, or community involvement. 

Final Thoughts

Social media may be an important part of your restaurant marketing strategy, but don’t underestimate the power of email marketing. Email marketing has the potential to enhance your restaurant's revenue in numerous ways, from driving table bookings with special promotions to fostering customer loyalty and maintaining a competitive edge.