Restaurants that want more covers usually look to social media and paid ads. Unfortunately, scaling that means burning more on a strategy that isn’t always a guarantee. You'll need new customers and regulars if you want sustainable growth.

SMS marketing is one of the best ways to get your restaurant top-of-mind, turning first-time customers into loyal regulars, filling seats even on slow nights. But before running an SMS campaign, there are non-negotiables you need to learn:

What You’ll Need to Run SMS Marketing Campaigns

SMS is a great way to get promotions into your customers’ inboxes, especially with AI SMS marketing becoming more prevalent. However, federal laws in most states require opt-ins in writing. Fines for not getting written consent can cost upwards of 10,000 per violation per text. 

So, to get an opt-in lead list, try the following strategies:

• Send an email and have them opt in from there
• Have customers sign up for your website or social media
• Get them to sign up in exchange for a discount when ordering online
• Tell your staff to promote the opt-in (make it value-driven)
• Make it easy for customers to sign up (QR codes at the table or quick links)

You’ll need an AI SMS marketing tool with features built for local businesses, but what does that look like? 

Imagine you could hire someone to answer customer inquiries immediately — even when your restaurant is closed. 

Great news— now you can with Chekkit Smart Replies. 

Chekkit is a business texting platform that can help your restaurant book more seats and turn new customers into loyal patrons who keep coming back. 

Meet your new AI employee: 

How to Make SMS Marketing Work for Your Restaurant

Think of an SMS as an extension of your front-of-house. But don’t mistake SMS marketing as a way to automate promotions. Every SMS template sent has to have value to your customers or make them feel exclusive and part of a community. Here are some examples of how:

Increasing Customer Lifetime Value

Finding new customers is only half the battle. The real value is in finding ways to keep them. Great food and service will make them enjoy the experience, but what will set you apart is how you nurture these new customers.

For Promotions

Promotions are great for filling seats; sending them through SMS ensures customers see them immediately. Emails get buried. Meanwhile, texts have much higher open rates. That means promotions like limited-time deals, free appetizers, and events get seen fast.

For Building Loyalty

SMS marketing is about connection. Use it to make regulars feel seen and appreciated. Send early invites to special events, offer birthday discounts, or thank them for dining with you. Little gestures over text can turn casual diners into loyal guests who bring friends and keep returning.

For Slower Days

Every restaurant has slow shifts. Instead of waiting for customers to trickle in, use SMS to create urgency. Flash deals like "Half-price wine night" or "Lunch specials today only" can fill empty tables fast, especially when the message feels personal and time-sensitive.

Asking for Reviews 

One of the best ways to promote yourself online is through your Google Business Page. Google uses your reviews as a ranking factor; customers use them to gauge whether you’re worth the trip. That’s why using SMS marketing for reviews is a great way to stay relevant online. 

Convenient Booking and Invoicing

Make it easy for customers to interact with you. Use SMS to confirm reservations, send waitlist updates, or follow up with invoices for large parties or catering orders. A quick text saves your staff time, reduces no-shows, and creates a more seamless customer experience.

9 SMS Marketing Strategies for Restaurants

Smart restaurants are already using SMS to stay ahead. If you want faster bookings, busier nights, and loyal regulars, here are seven SMS marketing strategies that work.

Segment Your Customers

Every customer is different. So, you shouldn’t be texting the same thing to every customer. Look through your SMS CRM and categorize customers into segments. For example, you could have segments for customers who always bring a big family and ones who often go on dates. 

Each segment can be sent different promos or discounts. For example, the big family segment could get a “Kids-eat-free” promo. 

“Family night just got sweeter! Kids get a free dessert this Friday with any adult entrée. Reserve your table now!” 

Meanwhile, those who go on dates on Thursdays could get a complimentary wine promo if they get dinner for two. 

"A perfect evening for two deserves a perfect pour. Join us this Thursday and enjoy a complimentary glass of wine with your dinner."

Announcing New Specials

Every restaurant needs its signature dishes. But to keep things fresh, you can promote new specials to intrigue customers and get them excited to come in. Of course, specials should be served within a limited time frame, so they can also trigger a sense of urgency and FOMO. 

“New on the menu: Chef’s {{new signature dish}}! Only available this weekend.”

Exclusive Events

Make your regulars feel like VIPs. Invite them to exclusive tastings, chef’s table dinners, wine pairing nights, or private happy hours, but only through SMS. You create a sense of exclusivity by offering early access or special invites just for your text list. 

"VIP Invite: {{first name}}, thanks for being with us throughout the years. To give back, we invite you to join us for an exclusive Wine & Dine Tasting Night this Friday! There are only limited seats, so be sure to RSVP by replying with “WINE”

Birthday and Milestone Greetings

When asking for a customer’s opt-in information, ask for their birthdays. Everyone deserves to feel special on their special day. Use SMS to send heartfelt wishes for birthdays, anniversaries, or special holidays. It’s even better if you give them coupons or discounts. 

But make the discounts time-bound. For example, send a message that says:

“To celebrate your special day, we’re offering {{deal}}. This coupon is valid until {{date}}.” 

Sharing Limited Deals and Discounts

FOMO is real. Customers are more likely to act when they know the clock is ticking on a deal. But don’t be too pushy with it. You want them to feel FOMO, not annoyance. So, keep your message short, clear, and focused on benefits like a limited-time discount, an exclusive menu item, or a flash happy hour. Make it feel like an opportunity, not a hard sell.

“Craving a little treat tonight? Enjoy 20% off our signature desserts—show this text when you dine with us. Offer ends at 9 PM! (That’s when we close!)”

Reward Systems

Loyalty deserves recognition. Use SMS to reward your regulars with points, discounts, or exclusive perks for dining with you. A simple text like "You're two visits away from a free dessert!" or "Show this text for a VIP discount tonight" can keep customers excited to come back and make them feel appreciated without needing to download another app or remember a punch card.

“Hey, {{first name}}, Thanks for sticking with us! Let us give a little something back in return. Tonight, let us treat you like the VIP you are. Just show this text and enjoy your exclusive discount made just for you.”

Secret Items

If you want to mix exclusivity with more engagement, try doing a Secret Items SMS Campaign. You can send an SMS with a Secret Item coupon or have them guess something like a password or a special code to unlock one. For example:

“Unlock something special. Mention MIDNIGHT MENU tonight to enjoy a hidden treat, crafted just for those worthy.”

Booking Confirmations

Nobody likes wondering if their reservation went through. A quick text confirmation makes everything feel easier and more personal. Use SMS to lock in bookings, send friendly reminders, and even update guests if there’s a waitlist.

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It’s a simple way to cut down no-shows and make guests feel cared for without your staff spending extra time on the phone.

With Chekkit Pay, you can take it a step further, giving guests the option to prepay for special dinners, ticketed events, or deposits right from their confirmation text. Fewer cancellations, faster check-ins, and happier customers.

Personalized Recommendation + Discounts

Nothing beats a personal touch. Use SMS to recommend dishes based on what your customers already love and sweeten the deal with a special discount. Maybe someone always orders pasta? Send them a promo when you launch a new pasta dish with free garlic bread. 

"Hey {{FirstName}}, we just added a new Truffle Alfredo to the menu! Since we know you're a pasta fan, we've got you covered with fresh garlic bread, soup starter, and drink of choice—all on the house!” 

The more personalized it feels, the more likely they’ll come back for it. It’s a small move that makes customers feel like you know them, not just their number on a list.

Key Takeaways

SMS marketing is the best way to cultivate a community around your restaurant. It’s meant to engage customers, provide personalized offers, and make every guest feel part of something special. When done right, it turns one-time visitors into loyal patrons. 

If you want to automate SMS marketing for your restaurant, Chekkit.io is here to help you launch campaigns that lead to more booked seats, reviews, and convenience for your customers. Try it out today!