7 Best Restaurant Email Marketing Templates to Copy

Directly engaging with new and existing customers is crucial for restaurant marketing.

With effective email marketing campaigns, you can build relationships with diners, further your brand and promote specific deals.

To help you make the most of the opportunities of email marketing, we’ve assembled this comprehensive restaurant email marketing guide, including seven ready-to-use templates.

What makes restaurant email marketing effective?

Email marketing for restaurants is a great way to stay in touch with existing customers and reach out to new ones. 85% of internet users send and receive emails weekly in the UK, making them a powerful way to reach consumers.

No matter the purpose of the email, there are a few features that should virtually always be included to ensure your marketing performs as well as possible.

These include:

• Personalisation: Add a personal touch to your messages and address your customers more directly. You can include information about their dining preferences, or simply refer to them by name. This can be done efficiently with a restaurant reservation system like ResDiary with white-label email marketing features to make it easier for restaurant owners to boost revenue through personalised marketing campaigns. Your email marketing efforts will be more effective as customers will feel it has been specially created for them.

• Customer segmentation: Segmenting your customers makes it easier to personalise messages and build detailed profiles for more effective marketing.  You can rely on quality customer relationship management (CRM) integrations like Acteol or Talkbox to build in-depth diner profiles for this. Using these tools in combination with booking data, you can store data on your customer's preferences and use it to tailor marketing material.

• Effective CTAs: A CTA, or call to action, is a segment in your messages or marketing that encourages your customers to take a particular course of action. In your restaurant email marketing, this usually means placing a booking. Ensure your emails have clear, prominent CTAs in each message.

• Focus on imagery: As a restaurant owner, the most important part of your business is your food. Someone scrolling through their emails is more likely going to give you their full attention if you have high-quality, enticing images of your best dishes and unique selling points.
  
  
• Use your brand:  Your restaurant brand encompasses the unique, distinctive aspects of your venue. Email marketing is an opportunity to build your brand, and rely on it to secure more bookings. 
  
  Read our blog on Restaurant Branding: How to Build an Iconic Restaurant Identity to learn more about how to use your curate a brand effectively.

7 best email marketing templates

Using email marketing templates is the perfect shortcut to successful campaigns.

Here are seven great restaurant email templates to help you attract more customers today:

1. Booking confirmation

Booking confirmations and welcome emails are excellent tools for making your customers feel valued and avoiding costly no-shows.

With a booking confirmation, you must include your contact information, the reservation details, and text to encourage further interaction. Plus, you should also include a cancellation policy, which serves as a critical tool to reducing no-shows in your venue.

SUBJECT LINE: Booking Confirmed

Dear (GUEST),

Thank you for choosing (RESTAURANT) for your dining experience! We have confirmed your reservation and look forward to seeing  you. 

Here is your booking information:

Date of Reservation:
Time Booked:
Booking Name:
Number of Guests:
Dietary Restrictions:

(Cancellation policy details, i.e:) We require cancellations at least 24 hours in advance. If a cancellation occurs within 24 hours of the booking time, the card on the file with the reservation will be charged (NOMINAL FEE).

We are here to make sure your dining experience with us is a special one. If you have any allergies or special requests, please be sure to let us know. 

Warm Regards,

(YOUR NAME)
(POSITION)
(RESTAURANT NAME)
(VENUE CONTACT DETAILS)
(RESTAURANT URL)

Best of all, with ResDiary’s email marketing tools, you can automatically trigger these emails to send when customers place their booking. This ensures that diners receive this key communication without manual effort from your business.

2. Post-dining follow-up

A post-dining follow-up email is perfect for keeping guests engaged and showing you care about their experience at your restaurant. These emails are a chance to get genuine feedback to help you improve your restaurant. They are also an opportunity to encourage positive online reviews.

A post-diner follow-up message should be short so you don’t pressure the guest. It should include your restaurant contact details and a thank you note for attending. You should also check if there is any feedback the customer has, and ask if they would be willing to leave a review.

Include a link to a review platform to make things as easy as possible for them.

SUBJECT LINE: Thank You for Dining With Us!

Dear (GUEST),

Thank you for dining with (RESTAURANT). It was great to have you and we hope you enjoyed the occasion! 

We’d love to know how we did today. Please give us your feedback and leave us a review. These reviews help us understand your needs and improve your dining experience. 

You can leave your thoughts here: (Insert URL, such as Google Business Profile)

Warm Regards,

(YOUR NAME)
(POSITION)
(RESTAURANT NAME)
(VENUE CONTACT DETAILS)
(RESTAURANT URL)

ResDiary’s email marketing features also enable you to automatically send post-dining emails. This keeps communication going with your customers on both ends of their dining experience.

3. Highlighting special events or promotions

Special events and promotions are an effective form of marketing for any restaurant. A promotional or special event email should refer to the upcoming event directly and showcase what makes the event special. 

The message must also clearly state how to make the reservation and have images and designs that resonate with the special event. It should also emphasise urgency and have a clear call to action in the event promotion email. 

SUBJECT LINE: It’s Our Burrito Day!

(Image: Business Logo)

Hey (GUEST)! Don’t miss out on these delicious burritos!

(IMAGE: A detailed shot of the most enticing or popular item on the events menu. The image should take up most of the white space on the message.)

For one day only, get 20% off burritos when you book a table at (RESTAURANT)! Limited quantities are available - don’t miss out! Access our promotion right here: (PROMOTION WIDGET)

Button text: 
BOOK NOW

(YOUR NAME)
(POSITION)
(RESTAURANT NAME)
(VENUE CONTACT DETAILS)
(RESTAURANT URL)

You can rely on customer booking data to build the most effective promotions for your business. ResDiary allows you to maintain information about your customers such as booking notes, illustrating the types of promotions they may be interested in.

This enables you to effectively identify target customers for your promotions. ResDiary’s promotions feature also makes it easy to create enticing events and showcase them through booking widgets and in your email marketing.

4. New menu items

A new menu item is a great opportunity to send follow-up emails promoting special events. Use new menu items to drum up interest in your venue and keep in touch with loyal customers. 

A new item email should have at least one image of the menu items, a call to reserve or visit again, and a description of the new dishes.

SUBJECT LINE: Discover our newest addition at (RESTAURANT)!

Hey (GUEST)! 

Check out our newest menu items at (RESTAURANT)!

Our chefs have been exploring exciting new dishes crafted with the freshest ingredients. Take a sneak peek at what we’ll be serving soon:

(DISH 1, I.E. NEW PASTA):
(IMAGE: DETAILED SHOT OF NEW ITEM)
(ITEM TAGLINE) 
Spicy, savoury and satisfying!

(DISH 2, I.E. NEW SKIRT STEAK)
(IMAGE: DETAILED SHOT OF NEW ITEM)
(ITEM TAGLINE) 
Served sizzling with Chimichurri sauce!

(DISH 3, I.E. NEW COCKTAIL)
(IMAGE: DETAILED SHOT OF NEW ITEM)
(ITEM TAGLINE) 
A Singapore Sling right at home!

Reserve your table and be one of the first to try our newest delicacies!

Button text:
 BOOK NOW

We look forward to seeing you!

Warm Regards,

(YOUR NAME)
(POSITION)
(RESTAURANT NAME)
(VENUE CONTACT DETAILS)
(RESTAURANT URL)

5. Deals and discounts

Deals and discounts are powerful ways to encourage engagement in your email marketing. A deal can create a sense of urgency by encouraging customers to take advantage of your offers. Or, they can be used to add a personal touch to a birthday celebration email or other special personal events.

These emails should include a direct statement of what the discount or deal is, a degree of personalisation, and a direct mention of when the deal expires.

SUBJECT LINE: A Limited Time Offer, Just for You!

Hey (GUEST)! 

As a valued customer, we’re excited to offer you an exclusive discount at (RESTAURANT). Enjoy (DEAL DETAILS, I.E:) 20% off your next meal with us, along with a free cocktail with your main course.

You can access this offer right here, when you make a booking anytime in the next two weeks:

(PROMOTION WIDGET)

We can’t wait to see you again!

Warm Regards,

(YOUR NAME)
(POSITION)
(RESTAURANT NAME)
(VENUE CONTACT DETAILS)
(RESTAURANT URL)

ResDiary’s attractive promotional widgets are a great way to secure more bookings. They also make it easy to track the success of your email marketing campaigns as a whole, as you can see exactly where bookings were placed.

6. Key seasonal dates

Seasonal dates and events are a fantastic opportunity to reach out to new and existing customers. Seasonal events can also bring in more families and groups, and guests willing to spend more for a memorable experience.

A seasonal marketing email should be a clear message with a focus on a specific date or time of year. It should feature a special menu item, as well as a friendly, familiar tone.

SUBJECT LINE: Make your (HOLIDAY SEASON) unforgettable at (RESTAURANT), (GUEST)!

Hey (GUEST)! 

It’s officially (HOLIDAY SEASON) and we’d love to see you at (RESTAURANT) again! From (DATE) to (DATE), we’re offering a special menu hand-crafted by our talented staff.

(SEASONAL DISH; I.E: ROAST TURKEY):
(IMAGE: DETAILED SHOT OF NEW ITEM)

Our staff are eager to make your (HOLIDAY SEASON) a special one. We hope to see you soon!

Warm Regards,

(YOUR NAME)
(POSITION)
(RESTAURANT NAME)
(VENUE CONTACT DETAILS)
(RESTAURANT URL)

Seasonal emails help you secure bookings and plan these key events. Whether you’re planning for Christmas or Valentine's Day, it is vital to be ready well in advance. With ResDiary, you have access to a set of tools and integrations perfect for ensuring your venue can thrive during busy periods.

7. Re-engagement

Don’t just give up on customers who haven’t been engaging through email or visiting your venue. With a re-engagement message, you can send a personalised message to prompt old customers to use your services again. You can create excitement using new dishes and specials. 

A re-engagement message should be friendly and personal in tone, and include something to entice past guests back to your venue. This could include special discounts and offers, or details about new menu items.

SUBJECT LINE: We Want You Back, (GUEST)!

Hey (GUEST)! 

It’s been a while since we’ve seen you around. We wanted to check in on you and remind you about the new (MENU ITEMS) we’ve added in the past month.

(NEW DISH; I.E: DUCK BREAST):
(IMAGE: DETAILED SHOT OF NEW ITEM)

We’ve also got a special promotion just for you, (GUEST)!

(PROMOTION WIDGET)

Hope to see you again soon.

Warm Regards,

(YOUR NAME)
(POSITION)
(RESTAURANT NAME)
(VENUE CONTACT DETAILS)
(RESTAURANT URL)

More email marketing tips for restaurants

Of course, a restaurant email marketing strategy is much more than the messages you send. You also take into consideration key factors like:

• CRM systems: CRM systems help to segment your customers to create the most effective communications. CRM systems, like Acteol or Talkbox, can also empower you to use your booking data more effectively by incorporating them into your customer profiles.
  
  
• Message frequency: You do not want your marketing to become a nuisance. Ensure you are not sending emails too often, and limit your messages with specific events or triggers.
  
  
• Use analytics: Ensure your campaign is performing well by using analytics and reporting software. Measure the bookings received and ultimate revenue against your marketing costs.
  
  
• Creative subject line: A boring subject line will be ignored by your customers. Use personalisation and guest data to create a fun, eye-catching subject line that entices customers to open your email. You can also include emojis to stand out from other messages. 😊🚀✨

Power up your email marketing with ResDiary

ResDiary offers a range of tools and integrations to help your venue thrive. By quickly and precisely managing your marketing campaigns, you can build customer loyalty while saving time on admin tasks.

ResDiary’s marketing integrations include Silverstreet for SMS marketing, as well as Meta and Reserve with Google. These integrations enable customers to place bookings from your Facebook, Instagram and Google Business profiles.

Attract more diners and streamline your operations with quality booking management software and marketing integrations.

Book a demo with ResDiary and enhance your venue today.