Running a successful restaurant takes more than just great food and service—it requires ongoing customer engagement, strategic marketing, and smart use of technology. In today’s digital-first world, email marketing is one of the most cost-effective ways to keep guests coming back, fill seats during off-hours, and turn occasional diners into loyal regulars.
At Linkeno, we specialize in helping restaurants use IT and digital marketing tools to grow revenue and enhance guest experiences. This guide walks you through how to make email marketing work for your restaurant—whether you’re running a cozy café, a fast-casual spot, or a multi-location concept.
Why Email Marketing Works So Well for Restaurants
Email marketing gives you a direct line to your customers—no social media algorithm standing in the way. You own your list, which means you’re in control of when and how often you reach your audience.
Some of the benefits include:
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Higher ROI: Email marketing returns an average of $36 for every $1 spent.
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Repeat business: Regular emails keep your restaurant top of mind.
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Stronger customer relationships: Personalized emails show you care.
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Increased online orders and reservations: Especially when tied to promotions or special events.
Restaurants that consistently use email marketing often see more engaged diners and increased loyalty program participation.
Essential Email Marketing Tools for Restaurants
At Linkeno, we help restaurants choose and integrate email tools that match their needs. Here are a few essentials:
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Email Marketing Software: Mailchimp, Constant Contact, and Klaviyo are great for small to mid-sized restaurants.
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CRM Integration: Pull customer data from your POS or reservation system to personalize campaigns.
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Automations: Set up welcome emails, birthday promos, and win-back offers.
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Analytics: Monitor open rates, clicks, and conversions to fine-tune your strategy.
6 Steps to Launching a Restaurant Email Marketing Strategy
1. Grow Your Email List
Start collecting email addresses everywhere: on your website, during online orders, via Wi-Fi logins, reservation forms, in-store QR codes, and loyalty programs. Offer a welcome discount or a free appetizer to increase signups.
Pro tip: Set up a tablet at the host stand with a quick signup form.
2. Segment Your Customers
Not all guests are the same. Segment your list into categories like:
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First-time visitors
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Frequent diners
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Online-only customers
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Birthday or event attendees
This allows you to send targeted offers and increase engagement.
3. Create Engaging Content
Email content should match your restaurant’s tone and brand. Ideas include:
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Behind-the-scenes stories (meet the chef, sourcing local ingredients)
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New menu item spotlights
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Upcoming events or live music nights
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Loyalty rewards reminders
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Seasonal promotions (e.g. Mother’s Day brunch, happy hour specials)
4. Automate Key Emails
Use automation to stay connected without constant manual effort. Linkeno can help set up:
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Welcome emails for new subscribers
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Birthday offers tied to reservation data
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“We miss you” re-engagement emails after 30–60 days of inactivity
5. Optimize for Mobile
Over 60% of emails are opened on smartphones. Make sure your emails:
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Use responsive templates
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Include big buttons
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Are easy to read with scannable text and imagery
6. Measure What Matters
Track open rates, click-throughs, and redemptions. Test different subject lines, send times, and call-to-actions to refine your approach. Linkeno offers performance dashboards that simplify reporting.
Types of Emails Your Restaurant Should Send
To keep your list engaged, vary your content. Some ideas:
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Monthly Newsletters: Include a roundup of news, events, and specials.
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Flash Promotions: Offer time-limited deals to drive traffic on slow nights.
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Event Invitations: Promote holiday specials, wine tastings, or chef’s tables.
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Feedback Requests: Send post-visit surveys to gather insights.
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Gift Card Reminders: Push gift card sales during holidays or slow seasons.
Linkeno’s Email Marketing Best Practices
Here are a few additional pro tips from our restaurant marketing specialists:
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Use strong subject lines: Get your customer’s attention in the inbox.
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Keep emails concise: People scan—so keep it short and to the point.
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Stay consistent: One to two emails per month is a good baseline.
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Follow compliance rules: Always include an unsubscribe link and follow GDPR/Can-Spam rules.
Real Results from Real Restaurants
One Linkeno client—a mid-sized Mediterranean restaurant—implemented a segmented email strategy that targeted loyal diners with weekly specials and new visitors with a welcome series. Within two months:
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Online orders grew by 18%
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In-store visits increased on Mondays (formerly their slowest day)
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1 in 3 recipients redeemed a promo sent via email
With the right strategy, restaurants of all sizes can see big results.
Ready to Get Started?
At Linkeno, we make email marketing easy. Whether you need help setting up automation, integrating your POS, or designing high-converting campaigns, our team is here to support you every step of the way.
📩 Click HERE to contact us for a free strategy session with Linkeno today, and let’s turn your email list into your most powerful marketing tool.
