How automated messages boost repeat restaurant customers

Here’s a scenario. A couple comes into your restaurant to celebrate their anniversary. They order fine wine and dessert after the entrée. As they leave, they remark to the hostess how much they enjoyed their experience.

But then they never come back.

In this scenario, you might have a case of “meal occasion mentality” on your hands. Diners might think of your restaurant as a certain kind of place – like in this scenario, somewhere they only celebrate special occasions – and not as somewhere they could return weekly, or even monthly.

Sadly, there are lots of similar reasons that customers don’t come back. Though the diners enjoyed their experience with you, they don’t return for one reason or another.

Luckily, you don’t have to let this single-visit mentality remain your reality. Creating a push notification campaign can keep your restaurant on your diners’ minds – and demonstrate the kind of occasion, meal, and event diversity you offer. Here’s everything you need to know to transform your one-time diners into repeat customers.  

What are push notifications?

At its simplest, a push notification is a text message that pops up on users’ smartphones. Users need to download your app and then opt into receiving push notifications. After that, you can communicate with your notification subscribers at any time. Some restaurants create messages to be delivered right away, while others schedule notifications to be sent in certain scenarios. We’ll talk more about scheduling a little later.  

You might wonder, will anyone enable push notifications from our restaurant? The answer is a resounding yes. According to a recent survey, 68% of users who have downloaded apps enable push notifications, and for younger customers (18-34), the number is even higher, at 80%.

What if a customer opts out of push notifications?

That’s okay! Just because a person turns off their push notifications it doesn’t mean your app isn’t doing anything. In fact, just having your app on their phone gives your restaurant valuable digital real estate. Every time a customer scrolls past your app they will be reminded of your restaurant. Because your restaurant will be top of mind, the next time they are considering dining out, your app will be the first place they check for loyalty discounts, events, and menu specials.

What is automated drip messaging?

Now, back to push notifications. Automated drip messaging lets you compose a series of push notifications to be sent out in response to a particular date or situation. Here are some options: 

• Use a visit or event. This kind of notification is sent out when someone performs a specific action. For example, if someone makes a purchase at your restaurant and uses your app at checkout, you could automate a notification to be sent out to that person in exactly two weeks reminding them to come back again.
• Make recommendations related to the season. A lot of restaurants sound particularly tasty to diners during specific seasonal conditions. For example, you could schedule a notification to be sent on the first day of winter, inviting your followers to stop by and warm up with a hot bowl of soup.
• Connect your messages to holidays. For example, if you’re offering a special Valentine’s Day dinner, you might send out a notification a few weeks ahead of time suggesting the app user hurry to secure her reservation. Or are you offering a complimentary drink for voters with stickers on Voting Tuesday? Schedule it in advance and forget about it!

How can I create impactful push notifications?

If we had to describe the best push notification in a nutshell, it would be this: eye-catching, purposeful, succinct, and timely. Better yet, include a photo.

Here are a few best practices in creating your campaign:

• Use Snap Shot Photo Pushes. Similar to texting an image or using SnapChat, these allow you to send a photo straight to your customer’s home screen. Make your photo look delicious.
• Don’t send too many notifications. You don’t want to overwhelm your diners. Only send messages frequently enough that they feel connected, not burdened.
• Don’t bury your meaning. Receivers of push notifications want to be able to glance at their screens; they don’t want to have to decipher. Make your notification clear and to the point.
• Make your call to action clear. What do you want your customers to do? Visit for Taco Tuesday? Bring their friends to Happy Hour between 4 and 6? Be clear so they don’t have to analyze your message.

How can I use automated messaging software?

Push notifications are so popular because they serve as reminders to keep your restaurant on your customers’ minds. But without an automated messaging software system, push notifications can become a burden to craft and send. Boelter Blue lets you create messages in advance to be sent out to loyal diners who have downloaded your restaurant’s custom app.

Learn more about how Boelter Blue can simplify and automate your restaurant’s digital media marketing. If you want more advice about how to revolutionize your marketing plan, download our eBook “Let's Simplify Foodservice: Restaurant Marketing Edition."