March 27, 2025
Have you ever searched for a restaurant on your phone before deciding where to eat? You’re not alone. Over 53% of diners use their mobile phones to find local restaurants. If your restaurant isn’t optimized for mobile, you could be missing out on a huge customer base.
Mobile marketing for restaurants isn’t just about having a website; it’s about creating a smooth experience for customers. From online ordering to mobile loyalty programs, the right strategies can increase visibility, boost engagement, and drive more foot traffic. With smartphones influencing dining decisions, a strong mobile presence is a must.
This guide will cover essential mobile marketing strategies, including local SEO, social media, SMS promotions, and more. By the end, you’ll have a clear plan to attract more customers and keep them coming back.
Mobile marketing for restaurants is a must to stay competitive. With 62% of consumers discovering restaurants through Google searches, having a strong mobile presence is key to attracting customers.
Top brands are already using mobile marketing strategies for restaurants to boost sales. Take Domino’s, for example. By focusing on a mobile-first approach, it made ordering easy with an app that offers real-time tracking and AI-powered voice ordering. This strategy paid off by 2021; over 75% of its U.S. retail sales came from digital channels.
To stay ahead, you need a mobile marketing platform for restaurants that simplifies online ordering, improves customer engagement, and drives revenue. Up next, we’ll compare mobile marketing with traditional methods to see why more restaurants are making the shift.
Not sure if your marketing efforts are keeping up with changing consumer habits? Traditional methods like flyers and newspaper ads may still have a place, but they can’t match the speed, reach, and precision of mobile marketing for restaurants.
With more diners relying on smartphones to find, order from, and engage with restaurants, adapting to mobile marketing strategies for restaurants is essential.
Here’s a clear comparison between traditional and mobile marketing to help you decide where to focus your efforts:
While traditional marketing still has value, mobile marketing platforms for restaurants offer flexibility, precise targeting, and real-time engagement.
To make the most of mobile marketing, you need the right strategies in place. Let’s find the most effective approaches that can help you attract more diners and boost sales.
To attract more customers and keep them engaged, you need the right mobile marketing strategies for restaurants. With most diners relying on their smartphones to find, review, and order from restaurants, your marketing efforts must be optimized for mobile.
Here are nine effective strategies to help you enhance your online presence, increase orders, and build lasting customer relationships.
When customers search for “best restaurants near me,” you want to be at the top of the results. According to Google, 76% of people who search for a business nearby visit it within a day. Optimizing for local SEO ensures that your restaurant appears in relevant searches.
Start by updating your Google Business Profile with accurate details like address, phone number, and working hours. Use location-based keywords such as “best Mexican restaurant in Canada” on your website and menu pages.
Encourage customers to leave reviews, as they impact local rankings. Platforms like iOrders can integrate your online ordering system with local search, ensuring your restaurant is easily discoverable.
Studies show that 87% of consumers read online reviews for local businesses before making a decision. Positive reviews can attract new diners, while negative ones if handled properly, can demonstrate your commitment to customer satisfaction.
Satisfied customers are your best promoters. Make it easy for them to leave glowing reviews by integrating review prompts into your mobile-friendly website or app. Include clear calls to action at the end of the ordering process, such as:
“Enjoyed your meal? Leave us a quick review and get 10% off your next order!”
Engaging with every review, positive or negative, shows that you value customer feedback. Maintain a polite and professional tone in your responses.
“Thank you, Jenny! We’re thrilled you enjoyed our signature wood-fired pizza. Hope to see you again soon!”
“Hi Mike, we’re sorry to hear about your experience. We’d love to make it right; please DM us so we can offer you a better meal on your next visit.”
Make your restaurant known for its customer-first approach.
When responding to positive reviews, go beyond a generic “Thank you.” Express gratitude and highlight what made their experience special.
iOrders helps simplify this process by allowing restaurants to track reviews and offer discounts or coupons directly through the platform.
A simple personal touch makes a big difference. Instead of generic responses, mention the reviewer’s name and the dish they loved. Example:
“Thanks, James! We’re so happy you loved our BBQ Ribs. Our chef uses a special house-made sauce; we’d love to serve you again soon!”
Personalization increases customer loyalty and makes your restaurant feel more welcoming.
Emojis can add warmth and personality to your responses, but overusing them can seem unprofessional. Stick to one or two per response and ensure they align with your brand’s tone. Example:
✅ “Thank you, Emily! So glad you loved our spicy tacos 🌮🔥. See you soon!”
🚫 “Thanks!!!!! 😊😊😊 We love u!!! ❤️🔥🎉🍕”
Social media isn’t just for posting food photos; it’s a direct way to engage with customers. Over 45% of diners try a restaurant because of its social media presence.
Platforms like Instagram, Facebook, and TikTok help you showcase your food, share promotions, and interact with your audience.
Here are 2 ways to promote host giveaways:
Polls are a fun and easy way to engage your followers while gathering insights. For example:
Restaurants like Shake Shack frequently run polls to let customers vote on new menu items, making them feel involved in the brand’s decisions.
When customers share their dining experiences, it builds trust and attracts new visitors. Encourage them to tag your restaurant in their posts or use a custom hashtag. Some ideas include:
A slow website can cost you customers. 53% of users abandon a site that takes more than three seconds to load. Your website should be mobile-friendly, easy to navigate, and optimized for speed.
Ensure your menu is readable, the checkout process is smooth, and contact details are easily accessible. Adding click-to-call buttons and direct links to online reservations enhances the user experience.
Online ordering is the new convenience. Digital food orders are projected to reach $220 billion by 2025, accounting for 40% of total restaurant sales. An integrated ordering system streamlines the process for both customers and staff.
With iOrders, you can set up an intuitive commission-free online ordering platform that supports direct orders, table reservations, and pickup scheduling. It reduces reliance on third-party delivery apps, saving on high commission fees while giving you complete control over customer data.
SMS marketing is one of the most effective mobile marketing strategies for restaurants, with a 98% open rate. It allows you to send promotions, order updates, and personalized offers directly to customers' phones. Here's what you can do:
Reward loyal customers with time-sensitive deals to increase foot traffic. For example:
Brands like Papa John's use SMS to send limited-time discount codes, boosting online orders during slow hours.
Keep customers informed with real-time order tracking. Examples include:
It improves customer experience and reduces inbound calls asking for order status.
Use customer data to send targeted messages based on their preferences. Examples:
Domino's has seen success by sending personalized SMS reminders for reordering based on past purchases.
A well-designed mobile loyalty program encourages repeat visits and increases customer retention. Studies show that customers spend 67% more when they are part of a loyalty program.
Restaurants using mobile apps or SMS-based rewards programs see higher engagement and more frequent orders. Here's what you can do:
Let customers earn points for every dollar spent, which they can redeem for discounts or free items. For example:
Adding elements like achievement badges and tier-based rewards keeps customers engaged. For example:
Make it easy for customers to check their points and redeem rewards. Examples:
A mobile loyalty program keeps customers coming back and increases their lifetime value. iOrders' customized loyalty program can help customers earn points for every purchase, boosting retention and sales.
QR codes simplify access to menus, payments, and promotions. In fact, 45% of diners have scanned a QR code at a restaurant in the past year. They enhance the customer experience while reducing physical contact.
Restaurants like McDonald’s use QR codes for quick ordering and payment processing. With iOrders, you can generate QR codes that link to digital menus, online ordering, and loyalty programs, making the process seamless for your customers.
Location-based marketing helps you target potential customers when they are near your restaurant. Here's how you can drive foot traffic and increase sales:
Platforms like Google Ads and Facebook Ads let you target users within a specific radius around your restaurant. For example:
Apps like Yelp and Uber Eats send push notifications when users are near a restaurant they have shown interest in. Example:
Encourage customers to check in on Facebook, Yelp, or Google Maps to unlock exclusive discounts. Example:
Location-based marketing helps you reach hungry customers at the right time, increasing foot traffic and orders. Next, let's address the common challenges restaurants face with mobile marketing and how to overcome them.
While mobile marketing for restaurants offers great opportunities, it also comes with challenges. From standing out in a crowded market to managing multiple platforms, navigating these hurdles requires the right strategies. Here’s how you can overcome them:
With countless restaurants promoting online, getting noticed is tough. Simply posting on social media isn’t enough.
Solution: Invest in local SEO to rank higher in search results. Optimize your Google Business Profile with updated menus, hours, and high-quality photos. Use keyword research tools like Google Keyword Planner, SEMrush, or Ahrefs to find high-traffic local keywords.
From Google to Instagram to online ordering apps, handling multiple channels can be overwhelming.
Solution: Use an all-in-one mobile marketing platform for restaurants to streamline operations. For example, iOrders helps manage online orders, promotions, and customer engagement from a single dashboard, saving you time and effort.
Too many notifications can annoy customers, but too few can make them forget your restaurant.
Solution: Space out promotions strategically. Use AI-powered marketing tools to send personalized offers based on customer preferences. For example, iOrders uses data-driven push notifications to suggest favorite drinks during peak hours, boosting engagement without spamming.
Getting positive reviews is crucial, but customers often forget to leave feedback.
Solution: Send a follow-up SMS or email with a simple review request. Use tools like Yelp, Google Reviews, and Trustpilot to monitor and manage feedback. Offer small incentives, like a discount on the next visit. Shake Shack encourages reviews through in-app prompts, increasing its online reputation and attracting new customers.
Customer preferences and digital tools evolve rapidly, making it hard to keep up.
Solution: Stay updated with industry trends by following restaurant marketing blogs, attending webinars, and analyzing customer data. Brands like Domino’s continuously adapt by integrating voice ordering and chatbot-based customer service.
Tackling these challenges with the right mobile marketing strategies for restaurants can set you apart from the competition. Now, let’s see how iOrders can simplify mobile marketing and help your restaurant grow.
iOrders helps restaurants grow online by turning their digital presence into more revenue. Unlike third-party apps, it gives you full control over branding, customer data, and marketing.
With mobile marketing strategies for restaurants, iOrders makes it easy to attract and retain customers. You can run smart campaigns, send personalized SMS, and offer loyalty programs, all from one platform. It also simplifies online ordering and delivery, improving efficiency while cutting costs.
As a mobile marketing platform for restaurants, iOrders helps you connect with customers directly, increase repeat business, and boost overall sales.
Mobile marketing for restaurants is a necessity. From local SEO and social media engagement to SMS marketing and loyalty programs, adopting the right mobile marketing strategies for restaurants can increase visibility, boost customer retention, and drive sales. While traditional marketing still has value, mobile marketing offers direct, data-driven ways to reach and engage your audience.
With iOrders, you get a mobile marketing platform for restaurants that simplifies everything from online ordering and loyalty programs to customer engagement without the high costs of third-party apps. It helps you maintain full control over your brand and customer data while enhancing operational efficiency.
Are you ready to take your restaurant’s marketing to the next level? Book a free demo with iOrders today and see how easy it is to grow your business with the right tools and strategies!
