If you run your own restaurant (or even something outside the dining industry), then it’s time to start serving up some SMS marketing campaigns.
That’s right; restaurants all across the country are using SMS marketing to better reach their patrons.
Here are a number of restaurants going the SMS route and a few ways your restaurant can do the same:
Restaurants Using SMS
SMS marketing is a great way to reach customers when it counts most: in the moment.
No industry benefits more from this on-the-go marketing platform than the restaurant industry. That’s why a growing number of restaurants/fast food eateries nationwide are already using SMS marketing to their advantage.
Among them:
- Taco Bell – In order to increase customer outreach, Taco Bell began an SMS campaign that offered free food items with each opt-in. The mobile marketing campaign resulted in more than 13,000 opt-ins within a five-week period.
- Carl’s Junior – In an attempt to compete with the larger burger chains, Carl’s Junior began an SMS opt-in deal that offered a $6 combo meal for just three bucks. The campaign not only had a 19% redemption rate, it also increased sales and generated a huge following for the fast food chain.
- Papa Murphy’s – This new take-and-bake pizza chain is in the process of franchising across the country. To increase its visibility, Papa Murphy’s began an SMS campaign that offered five-dollar pizzas to first-time customers. The campaign resulted in a 17% redemption rate and more than 100,000 new mobile subscribers.
Now that you have an idea of how the major restaurant chains are using SMS, here are a few ways your restaurant can take advantage of mobile marketing:
Promoting New Menu Items
Whether your restaurant is new or established, it’s always a good idea to get the word out about new menu items. This is exactly where SMS marketing comes into play.
The article “We’re Open: How to Use SMS Marketing to Give Your New Restaurant a Boost” mentions the importance of engaging customers.
With SMS marketing you can feature new menu items in your campaigns as well as announce exciting menu changes.
Promoting your menu items will put your restaurant on your customers’ radars, which is especially effective when it comes to recipients who are already out and about.
Spreading the Word About Specials
Food specials are the restaurant industry’s bread and butter.
When you take an SMS approach to your restaurant marketing, you can promote your food specials like never before.
Whether it’s a buy-one-get-one deal, a drink special, or a blue plate special, using SMS marketing is a great way to keep your patrons updated on all of your delicious deals.
Gathering Feedback
The key to feeding your patrons the food they love is by gathering feedback on their dining experiences. SMS marketing allows you to send text surveys to your patrons while their meal is still fresh on the mind.
You can send a brief questionnaire, a multiple-choice survey, or you can simply ask patrons to describe their dining experience.
No matter which route you take, SMS surveys make it possible to gather feedback that will help your restaurant thrive.
If you’re ready to get more diners through the door, then satisfy their appetites with SMS marketing.
Photo credit: BigStockPhoto.com
About the Author: Adam Groff is a freelance writer and creator of content. He writes on a variety of topics including the restaurant industry and mobile marketing.
