Reaching diners on social media is becoming tougher thanks to declining engagement rates. It’s a bit like trying to shout across a crowded bar. But email marketing? Think of email like a conversation in a cozy booth – you’ve got a more captive audience here. Now, you just need the right restaurant email examples to inspire your marketing outreach.
In this guide to restaurant email marketing strategies, we’ll cover:
- 13 restaurant email marketing ideas
- 10 restaurant email subject lines
- What works well about these restaurant emails
- How you can implement these ideas in your business
13 Restaurant Email Examples for Creative Inspiration
Email marketing pays off. In fact, U.S. businesses earn $36 for every dollar they spend on email. But what makes for the best restaurant email marketing? Let’s walk through a few ideas you can steal for your own restaurant newsletter and other marketing emails.
1. Gift Card Email
Starbucks knows what it’s doing when it comes to restaurant email marketing strategies. This email from the coffee giant invites readers to give a $25 digital gift card and receive a $5 digital gift card in return. In addition to being a smart way to reach more customers, here’s what works well about the email:
- It’s clear and to the point – a hallmark of the best restaurant email marketing. It has a clean, yet engaging design and only a little text. It also has a highly visible call-to-action.
- The email is specific to the time of year it was sent (mid June), encouraging readers to give a digital gift card to a teacher or grad.
- The offer is only valid for a limited amount of time, enticing readers to act quickly.
- There’s an incentive for the person giving the gift card: a $5 gift card for them, too!
Many restaurants offer gift cards, so if that’s you, then you can easily copy this email to share with your own restaurant community. Even if you only offer physical gift cards, you can invite customers to stop by your restaurant to pick up their gift card and the bonus gift card for themselves.
2. New Menu Item Email
Restaurant emails are a great way to let customers know about new menu items. That’s exactly what Avling Kitchen & Brewery has done with this email announcing its new beer, Selene. Here’s what works well about it:
- The email has eye-catching design, illustration, and colors.
- It goes beyond just announcing the new beer – it invites the audience to read the story behind the brew.
- The email highlights a partnership with another organization. This lets readers know that community is important to Avling.
You likely release new menu items, or at least specials, fairly frequently. To steal this strategy for your restaurant email marketing ideas bank, remember to focus on the story. Bring readers behind the scenes into your kitchen and share why you created the menu item and what’s special about it to pique their interest.
Learn how to set up an email marketing strategy for your business in 6 easy steps.
3. Event Promotion Email
If your restaurant runs events, you’ll want a few event-related restaurant email examples in your toolkit. This email from SoSo Food Club invites guests to its one-year anniversary bash. Here’s what works well about it:
- Right at the top, the email clearly communicates that it’s about SoSo’s one-year anniversary.
- The email uses bold text to call out each day of the week that the restaurant is offering a different special.
- The call-to-action button is bright, and the copy makes it easy for readers to understand the next step to take.
You don’t have to go all-out with a week’s worth of special events to copy this email. And you don’t need to wait for your anniversary, either. Keep things simple and try this tactic for the next big holiday that’s coming up. For instance, invite your audience to celebrate Valentine’s Day or Mother’s Day at your restaurant.
4. Freebie Email
The only thing better than a deal is a freebie! This email lets customers know that they can stop in to any Pilot Coffee Roasters location on May 31st for a free drip or cold brew coffee. Here’s what works well about it:
- The image showcases a refreshing cold brew.
- The text is big and bold – “FREE” pops out right away.
- The body copy offers all of the details and thanks readers for being a part of Pilot Coffee Roasters’ journey, which is an extra special touch.
Stealing this idea for your email marketing is a breeze. Choose a low-priced item that you’d be able to give away for free on one day only, then promote the freebie to your email list. Remember to show your gratitude for them being a part of your community.
Learn how to set up an email marketing strategy for your business in 6 easy steps.
5. Welcome Email
Offering freebies isn’t the only way to make your audience feel special. When someone signs up to your email list, take the opportunity to welcome them right away, like Art of Tea did with this welcome email. Here’s what works well about it:
- The email offers a welcome gift at the top and invites readers to shop now.
- The image showcases a variety of eye-catching loose leaf teas to engage the senses.
- The email shares the story of how Art of Tea got started, building rapport with readers.
If you haven’t already, it’s a wise move to create a welcome sequence for your restaurant’s email list. Want to keep the legwork to a minimum? Even one welcome email can serve as a meaningful touchpoint.
6. Discount Email
What kind of restaurant email examples are most effective? Research shows that 67% of customers are more likely to make a purchase after receiving an email with a discount than due to any other type of email. Here’s what works well about this email from Pizza Express:
- It’s visually strong. The email uses bright colors, fun graphics, and mouth-watering food images.
- The 25% off deal can’t be missed, as it’s highlighted in large text inside of a call-out box.
- The email offers lots of value by sharing both the discount, as well as an update on a new-again menu item.
You can copy this email as-is, or get straight to the point and offer the deal right at the top, ditching the new menu item update.
7. Seasonal Email
Similar to restaurant email marketing examples that promote new menu items, this email from Sweetgreen promotes the chain’s seasonal summer salads. Here’s what works well about it:
- The email gives customers a reason to visit or return to Sweetgreen by highlighting items that aren’t on the regular menu, which they might not know about.
- It uses minimalist design to keep the focus on the images of deliciously fresh summer salads (three in total).
- The email gives a brief description of each salad – and you can almost taste it. Watermelon and spicy cashew? Yes, please.
Stealing this email is straightforward: all you have to do is choose three items from your seasonal menu, if you’ve got one. Then, make sure you’ve got images to put each dish’s best face forward and write juicy descriptions to go along with them.
8. Birthday Email
Birthday emails are a fun way to show some love to your customers on their special day. Take this email from Starbucks, for instance. Here’s what works well about it:
- Creative header copy draws the reader in and showcases Starbucks’ appreciation for their business.
- The body copy clearly explains what the birthday reward entails: a free drink or food item. It also notes the date that the coupon can be redeemed, which makes the process easy for Starbucks’ staff.
- The birthday-themed graphics are cute and eye-catching.
Want to copy this email? The most important thing to do is ensure you’re collecting email subscribers’ birthdays. You also need your email system to be set up to automatically send this template to each subscriber on their big day (you don’t want to do this manually!)
9. Reward Status Email
Getting diners into your loyalty program is one thing – keeping them engaged is another. One smart way to do this is by sending monthly reward statements, like this email example from McDonald’s. Here’s what works well about it:
- The email makes an offer at the outset, encouraging the customer to link their card to the McDonald’s app for extra loyalty points.
- The design makes it easy to understand how many rewards the customer has earned and how many they need to earn to reach their next milestone.
- The email also lets the customer know they’ve earned free food, encouraging them to make another visit
If your restaurant has a loyalty program, you can copy this email by borrowing inspiration from the design and applying your own branding and statistics.
Learn how to set up an email marketing strategy for your business in 6 easy steps.
10. Abandoned Cart Email
Online ordering can be a solid revenue stream for restaurants, but sometimes orders are ‘abandoned’ in a customer’s cart. An email like this one from Taco Bell can help remind diners that their food is waiting for them and encourage them to complete the purchase. Here’s what works well about it:
- Brilliant illustration of an adorable, forlorn-looking taco who’s been left behind.
- Header copy that’s short and to the point, asking the reader a simple question.
- A call-to-action button that stands out thanks to a colorful pink background.
Depending on whether your restaurant offers online ordering, this email could be a great fit for you to replicate. Of course, tacos are synonymous with Taco Bell, so think about what signature dish or ingredient might make sense for you to illustrate. If the cutesy vibe doesn’t align with your brand, simply include an enticing food photo.
11. Reactivation Email
Sometimes diners need a little nudge. Keeping its brand top of mind was Chipotle’s aim with this email, which encourages the reader to order delivery again and earn bonus loyalty points. Here’s what works well about it:
- The benefit (300 bonus points) is stated in big, bold, red lettering – so it can’t be missed.
- There’s a time limit on this offer, urging the recipient to act quickly.
- The call-to-action button is easily visible and invites the reader to order now.
If your restaurant offers delivery, stealing this email template will be a breeze. If not, you can substitute delivery for takeout. Wait – no loyalty program? No problem. Offer a $5 off coupon instead of bonus points.
12. Holiday Email
Running a special promotion for Thanksgiving or Christmas? Email marketing is an excellent way to get the word out, like Cracker Barrel did with this email example. Here’s what works well about it:
- The email uses a hero image of an incredible holiday spread to grab readers’ attention.
- The subhead text is clear and conversational, inviting diners to order a Heat n’ Serve meal.
- The body copy provides pertinent details, like how many people the meal serves and how long it takes to cook.
While your customers will likely be getting more emails than normal around big holidays like Thanksgiving or Christmas, that’s no reason not to communicate with them. You want to stay top of mind, so copy this template and share your restaurant holiday promotions with your list.
13. Off-the-Wall Email
If the unconventional approach is more your restaurant’s style, take a page from the book of Chef Anthony Rose. Based in Toronto, Canada, Chef Anthony is known for his wild and blunt email newsletter. Here’s what works well about it:
- The newsletter has a distinct title, “The Monthly Anthony,” which personalizes the content beyond a specific restaurant brand.
- The writing style is conversational and humorous.
- The emails always include photos of Chef Anthony and his culinary creations, bringing the focus back to food.
The key with stealing a strategy like this is not to copy Chef Anthony’s approach to a T, but to make the email your own. What quirks do guests love your restaurant for that you can play up in your email? Start there. This kind of email is a great opportunity to shed a spotlight on the people behind your business.
Learn how to set up an email marketing strategy for your business in 6 easy steps.
10 Examples of Great Restaurant Email Subject Lines
You now have 13 restaurant email marketing examples to borrow inspiration from. However, creative elements like copy and design only matter if your subject line is compelling enough for readers to open the email. Here are 10 subject lines you can test, plus what works well about each one.
- “Get your fave 🧊 Drink for $4!” (via Starbucks). This subject line is short, which is best practice when it comes to restaurant and fast food emails. It’s also clear on value.
- “Let us cater passover for you.” (via Chef Anothony Rose). This subject line is to-the-point, specific, and contains a helpful offer.
- “This Friday: FREE BREW 🧊💧☕” (via Pilot Coffee Roasters). Everyone loves free stuff. Need we say more?!
- “[Name], your May account in review” (via McDonald’s). This email immediately lets the reader know it contains up-to-date details on their loyalty account.
- “What would you do for the last slice?” (via Domino’s). By asking a question in the subject line, Domino’s hooks readers to want to find out more.
- “Our new $1 breakfast is a no-brainer.” (via Taco Bell). This subject line checks a few boxes by promoting a new menu item and an irresistible deal.
- “Get 🌯 delivered for 300 bonus points” (via Chipotle). This email makes an enticing offer and uses an emoji for visual interest – shortening text in the process.
- “SoSo 1 Year Anniversary” (via SoSo Food Club). This subject line is clear and concise, directly mentioning the event.
- “Open on your birthday 🎁 (Actually, you can open now)” (via Starbucks). Your reader will immediately know there’s something in this email just for them and knows that the message contains a limited-time offer.
- “Mediocre Funny Newsletter with a Serious Part and a Business Part” (via Chef Anthony Rose). This subject line is playful and packed with personality – something that’s sure to make it stand out in a sea of other marketing emails.
Email marketing for restaurants requires creativity and consistency, but it doesn’t have to be a headache. These restaurant email examples will give you a fresh, new bank of ideas to experiment with. Remember to track the results of your restaurant or fast food emails and iterate as you go to drive even more clicks and conversions.
Katherine is the Content Marketing Manager at TouchBistro, where she writes about trending topics in food and restaurants. The opposite of a picky eater, she’ll try (almost) anything at least once. Whether it’s chowing down on camel burgers in Morocco or snacking on octopus dumplings in Japan, she’s always up for new food experiences.
Free social media templates for your restaurant
Sign up for our free weekly TouchBistro Newsletter
Your Complete Guide to Restaurant Reservations
Download Guide
