Text Appeal: How to Use SMS Marketing to Boost Restaurant Delivery Sales
- eileen strauss
- 33 minutes ago
- 4 min read
When inboxes overflow and customers scroll past endless ads, a simple text can do what other marketing can’t. With a 98% open rate and most messages read within minutes, SMS (Short Message Service) marketing gives restaurants a direct line to hungry customers who are ready to order.
A few well-timed words can fill slow shifts, turn satisfied diners into repeat customers, and keep your delivery program running strong all year. Once you build your text strategy, it continues to deliver results day after day.
What Exactly is SMS Marketing?
It’s a permission-based system that lets your restaurant send text messages directly to customers who’ve opted in to hear from you. Those texts can include delivery promotions, limited-time offers, feedback requests, or reorder reminders, all sent instantly to the device they check most.
Why Text Marketing Works
Delivery doesn’t end when the driver pulls away; it ends when the customer feels seen, satisfied, and connected. That’s where a well-timed text can make all the difference. A quick, friendly follow-up shows diners you care, keeps your restaurant top of mind, and opens the door for honest feedback and positive reviews.
With the right automation in place, these messages practically run themselves, helping you capture feedback, recover missed opportunities, and turn happy customers into repeat ones. In today’s delivery game, the right message at the right time can be worth more than the meal itself.
Text messages don’t get buried in spam folders or ignored in crowded inboxes. They are short, personal, and feel like direct communication because they are. For restaurant owners, that is pure gold.
Think of it as the ultimate push notification for your delivery business. A text can:
Announce new menu items or limited-time specials
Send reminders during lunch and dinner hours
Offer incentives for off-peak times (“Skip the wait, 15% off lunch delivery before 11:30!”)
Create urgency that email simply can’t match
SMS works because it blends immediacy with intimacy. It feels less like advertising and more like a friendly nudge.
SMS + Delivery = The Perfect Pairing
Text marketing shines brightest when paired with online ordering. Whether you manage your delivery program in-house or through a platform like Sauce, texts can help you:
Promote delivery-friendly specials: “Get 2-for-1 wings tonight, delivery only.”
Recover abandoned carts: “Still hungry? Your order’s waiting.”
Encourage repeat orders: Re-engage customers with reorder links or rewards after a certain number of deliveries.
Gather feedback: “How was your delivery experience? Tap to review.”
Every message can serve a purpose, from driving sales to improving service.
The Power of the Post-Delivery Text
Your delivery relationship doesn’t end with the handoff. A quick “thanks” text after the order keeps customers engaged, builds trust, and encourages repeat orders.
Post-delivery communication helps retain customers beyond the first order.
Customers expect fast, easy ways to share feedback.
A simple “Thanks for ordering, how was it?” goes a long way.
Real-time engagement reduces churn before diners scroll to competitors.
Pro Tip: A single follow-up text can increase repeat order rates by up to 20%.
Turning Feedback into 5-Star Reviews
A well-structured SMS sequence can turn casual diners into loyal fans. Start by asking for feedback, then invite happy customers to leave reviews.
Example flow:
“Hope you loved your order! Tap to rate your experience.”
If positive → “Awesome! Mind sharing your feedback on Google?”
If negative → “We’re sorry it wasn’t perfect. Reply here and we’ll make it right.”
This simple sequence captures authentic reviews, filters out negative feedback, and turns issues into opportunities. When handled quickly and kindly, even small problems can end in five-star loyalty.
When handled quickly and kindly, even small problems can end in five-star loyalty.
Automating for Efficiency
Automation makes SMS marketing scalable and saves your staff time.
Connect your POS, CRM, or delivery platform.
Schedule messages automatically based on order completion time.
Personalize every text with the customer’s name, order, or delivery zone.
Keep timing and tone consistent across all locations.
Example: “Hi Jamie, thanks for ordering from The Burger Bar! How did we do tonight?”(Reply 1–5 stars or tap here to leave a quick review.)
Automation ensures no diner slips through the cracks and every order gets a personal touch.
Using Texts to Drive Repeat Orders
Once customers engage, keep the conversation going. Reward feedback with exclusive offers or reorder prompts.
Examples:
“Thanks for your feedback! Enjoy 10% off your next delivery.”
“Glad you loved it! Tap to reorder your favorite dish.”
“Join our Text Club for early access to weekend specials.”
Every message strengthens the loop: Order → Review → Reward → Repeat.It’s effortless retention built right into your delivery strategy.
Turning Data into Decisions
Smart SMS marketing isn’t just about sending messages; it’s about learning from them.
Measure which messages drive reviews, reorders, or unsubscribes.
Identify loyal customers and send personalized rewards.
Test different offers and timing to see what performs best.
Use review data to improve menu items, delivery packaging, or service.
Consistent reviews and engagement also boost SEO and local visibility, helping more diners find you when they search for delivery.
The Sauce Message
At Sauce, smart communication is built into everything they do. From automated follow-ups to real-time delivery insights, the platform helps restaurants stay connected, responsive, and review-ready.
One partner who has seen this in action is Wings Plus, a neighborhood favorite known for its loyal customer base and consistent quality.
Brian Walsh Jr., who helps run the family business, says SMS follow-ups have become an essential part of their delivery strategy.
“Since joining Sauce, the restaurant’s reviews have soared,” he says. “The portal lets me track orders, contact customers if anything goes wrong, and make it right. SMS follow-ups have boosted engagement and kept 5-star reviews flowing.”
Thanks to Sauce’s integrated tools, Wings Plus can respond quickly, maintain strong customer relationships, and ensure every order meets the high standards their community expects; proof that communication really is the secret ingredient to success.
Takeaway
From the first order alert to the final thank-you text, every message shapes your restaurant’s relationship with its customers.
When restaurants close the communication gap with SMS, they don’t just get more orders; they get loyalty, visibility, and steady revenue.
“In delivery, every message matters. Make yours worth remembering.”
By Eileen Strauss
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