In a world saturated with online ads, emails, and endless social content, customers have learned to scroll past most marketing. But for restaurants, two of the oldest communication methods—SMS and printed flyers—are cutting through the clutter and delivering results.
Here’s why restaurants are leaning back into tried-and-true tactics, and how you can use them effectively.
The Digital Fatigue is Real
The average consumer sees between 4,000 and 10,000 digital ads per day (Forbes). Attention spans are shrinking, and most online content gets lost in a blur of endless scrolling.
For restaurants, this means your email campaign or social ad might never even get noticed—especially if it’s time-sensitive.
SMS: Short, Direct, and Hard to Miss
SMS messages are near-impossible to ignore. Here's why they work so well in a hospitality context:
- Open Rate: 98%, with 90% read within 3 minutes
(OptiMonk) - Response Rate: 45%, outperforming email’s 6%
(YourNotify) - Perfect for urgency: Flash offers, pre-dinner deals, or reminders land exactly when they’re most useful.
Whether it’s through a tool like RevUp or a custom campaign, SMS gives restaurants direct, personal access to customers—at scale.
Flyers: The Underrated Local Hero
Flyers may seem old-school, but they deliver tangible results—especially when used smartly in a restaurant setting:
Attach Flyers to Delivery Orders
Turn every takeaway into a low-cost marketing moment. Add a flyer with:
- A bounceback offer (“$5 off your next order”)
- A QR code for loyalty signup
- A promo to drive direct orders next time (instead of through third-party apps)
Letterbox Drops for Local Awareness
Want to boost early-week traffic or promote a new location? A well-timed flyer in nearby homes can drive visits,especially when paired with a strong offer.
According to the Association of National Advertisers, direct mail (including local drops) has a response rate of 4.4%, significantly higher than most digital channels.
The Benefits of Combining SMS + Print
When used together, these two channels can cover a lot of ground:
- SMS for immediacy and direct re-engagement
- Flyers for tangible, local brand presence and in-store action
- Both channels support your first-party data strategy, helping you build owned relationships
Conclusion
While the rest of the marketing world chases trends on TikTok or throws more money at paid ads, savvy restaurant operators are turning to channels that actually get seen.
SMS and flyers might be old tools, but they’re outperforming new ones when it comes to real results.
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