More than half of all online activity now comes from mobile devices. Over 62% of total web traffic happens on phones, which means mobile is no longer optional for restaurants.

Mobile users search for places to eat, read reviews, and place orders. If your business doesn’t show up well on a phone, you’re likely losing customers.

Mobile marketing gives you a simple way to connect with more people, increase orders, and enhance customer engagement.

In this article, you will learn how to use mobile marketing to reach more customers, grow your business, and improve how people interact with your brand.

What Is Mobile Marketing?

Mobile marketing means reaching potential customers through smartphones and other mobile devices in natural and convenient ways.

For restaurants, it includes everything from sms marketing and mobile-friendly websites to apps, social media content, and location-based ads.

Unlike print flyers or static ads, mobile marketing lets restaurants interact with users in real time. You can send updates about limited-time deals, let customers place orders online, or remind them about past orders.

It works well because people keep their phones close throughout the day. When you send relevant and timely messages, you can boost orders, increase visits, and improve customer experiences.

Types of Mobile Marketing for Restaurants

Different types of mobile marketing help restaurants connect with people in useful ways. Here are the most common types:

• Website-based marketing - A website makes it easy for mobile users to view your menu, place an order, or make a reservation. Customers might leave if your site loads slowly or is hard to read on phones. Mobile-friendly sites help turn interest into action.
• App-based marketing - A custom mobile app gives you more control over how people interact with your restaurant. It lets app users place orders, track rewards through a loyalty program, and receive special deals. Many restaurants use apps to keep regular customers engaged and to increase repeat visits.
• QR codes - These codes offer a quick and easy way to access digital menu items and order screens. You can print them on tables, packaging, or flyers. QR codes reduce wait times and keep things simple for staff and guests.
• Location-based marketing - Targets people near your restaurant using GPS or mobile location tools. You can send promotions to nearby users or show ads to people searching for food in the area. Location-based marketing helps attract new customers who are already close and ready to eat.

7 Mobile Marketing Efforts to Drive Sales in 2025

Restaurants don’t need big budgets to see real results from mobile. With the right focus, even small restaurants can use simple mobile marketing efforts to bring in more orders and connect with customers.

Below are seven ways to boost sales in 2025 using smart and direct mobile strategies.

1. Boost Web Traffic With Targeted SEO Keywords

When people search for food or restaurants near them, they usually use specific phrases like “best pizza near me” or “late-night tacos in Dallas.”

These are local keywords, and using them across your restaurant website helps you appear in search results. Place these keywords on your homepage, menu pages, and mobile ordering screens to increase web traffic.

Restaurant-related searches rank in the top 20 across many platforms. Phrases such as “restaurants near me” or “food near me” are some of the most common search terms people use for a place to eat.

By using these keywords naturally in your content, you help your site appear when potential customers are actively searching for a spot to dine or order from.

Search engines reward pages that give users what they want, especially when the site works well on mobile devices and loads quickly.

2. Start a Restaurant Mobile Marketing Campaign

People read text messages quickly, and many respond to them within minutes. That makes texting a smart option for restaurants looking to fill seats during slow times or promote daily specials.

For example, you can send a short message about a lunch deal around 11 a.m., just as people start thinking about what to eat.

You don’t need to overcomplicate the message. Keep it short, direct, and focused on one offer. Include a clear call to action like “Order now” or “Show this text for 10% off.”

Make sure customers know how to redeem the offer and that it doesn’t take more than a few steps. You can also send reminders about events, happy hour deals, or limited-time discounts.

Before starting, get permission through an opt-in process so customers agree to receive texts. Doing so will keep your list clean and help you avoid sending messages to people who aren’t interested.

A text marketing campaign like this gives your restaurant a quick and easy way to stay connected with customers, increase orders, and build stronger loyalty over time.

3. Use Third-Party Delivery Apps or Launch Your Own

Delivery is a big part of how customers order food today. Many people open third-party apps like DoorDash, Uber Eats, or Grubhub when they are hungry.

These platforms help restaurants get seen by new customers without needing to spend much on ads. They also handle things like payments, delivery drivers, and customer support.

However, third-party delivery apps charge fees and control how your restaurant appears in their system.

If you want full control, you can build your own delivery system to keep more profits and provide a more consistent customer experience. You decide how your brand is shown, how orders are handled, and what deals to offer.

Both options have value. Using delivery apps can help you reach customers quickly. Building your own gives you more freedom and better long-term benefits.

Some restaurants even do both. They stay on delivery platforms while building their own system in the background. Over time, it helps them build a loyal customer base and save money on high fees.

4. Send Push Notifications to Encourage Return Customer Behavior

Push notifications are a simple way to remind people about your restaurant and bring them back. You can use them to share updates, daily specials, or time-limited offers.

When done right, these messages will help keep your restaurant top of mind. For example, offering a discount during slow hours or promoting a new menu can bring in past customers who might not have planned to order that day.

Timing matters. People are more likely to respond when they get messages during lunch breaks, right after work, or around dinnertime.

You don’t need to send push notifications too often. A few well-timed alerts each week can be enough to get results without annoying users.

The goal is to stay connected, keep your regular customers coming back, and remind them of what they enjoy about your food.

5. Include Mobile Online Ordering

Making it easy for customers to place orders from their phones should be a top priority. Mobile online ordering saves time, reduces mistakes, and creates a smoother process for everyone.

Customers like ordering from their phones because they can browse menu items, customize their meals, and pay without waiting on hold or standing in line.

If your restaurant offers mobile ordering through your website or an app, it’s easier for people to buy food. Most customers already use phones to look for places to eat, so giving them a simple way to order makes a big difference.

You can build your own system or use a service like ChowNow. Either way, a fast and easy experience turns one-time visitors into repeat customers.

Online ordering also helps you track customer data and understand what people like to buy. You can suggest popular combinations, show recent items, or highlight add-ons to increase order size.

Offering it gives your restaurant more control over branding, pricing, and communication.

6. Feature a Customer Loyalty Program to Reward Repeat Visits

A customer loyalty program gives people a reason to come back. It rewards them for choosing your restaurant again instead of trying something new.

These programs can be simple, like offering a free drink or dessert after five visits, or using a point system where customers earn credit for every dollar they spend.

Running the program through a mobile app makes it easy for customers to join, track rewards, and redeem them without hassle.

Many restaurants put the reward tracker right on the home screen of the app so people can see how close they are to their next reward. That small reminder often encourages them to visit again.

Loyalty programs are about building habits. When someone knows their next visit gets them closer to a reward, they will likely choose your restaurant again.

You don’t need anything fancy. Just make the rules clear, keep the rewards useful, and give people a reason to return.

7. Build a Mobile-Friendly Website and Mobile App

Your website and app are often the first places people interact with your restaurant online. If either one is slow, hard to read, or confusing to use on a phone, potential customers will likely leave and look elsewhere.

A clean layout, clear buttons, and fast loading times matter. Many people check restaurant sites while they’re on the move.

If your website is built for phones, it gives them what they need without frustration. Make sure it works well on different screen sizes and keeps actions like viewing menu or starting an order up front.

Adding a mobile app gives loyal customers an even faster way to connect with your business.

Apps make it simple to check past orders, redeem rewards, or receive updates. They also keep your restaurant on people’s home screens, which means they’re more likely to come back.

Buildify can help you create a responsive website and a mobile app in no time. Book a call to find out how.

Common Mistakes to Avoid in Restaurant Mobile Marketing to Achieve Success

Even simple mobile marketing plans can fall flat if the basics are missed. Below are common mistakes that can keep your efforts from working as well as they should:

• Not optimizing for mobile experience - People will leave if your site or app doesn’t load fast, is hard to read, or doesn’t work well on smaller screens. A poor mobile setup can hurt your image and lose you sales.
• Sending too many or poorly timed messages - Overloading customers with alerts or reaching out at the wrong time can lead them to unsubscribe. Send only what’s helpful, and make sure it reaches people when they’re most likely to respond.
• Ignoring data and customer behavior - Skipping reports or trends means missing chances to improve. Pay attention to what offers people click, when they order, and what keeps them coming back.
• Lack of clear calls to action - If your texts or app screens don’t tell customers what to do next, they may not take action. Use short, clear instructions like “Tap to order,” “Show this code,” or “Claim your reward.”

Drive More Orders Every Day With Buildify

You no longer need to spend thousands or wait months to go mobile. Buildify gives you a fast way to start mobile marketing with tools built just for restaurants.

For $399 per month, you get:

• Restaurant website – Optimized to increase traffic and turn visitors into repeat customers.
• Custom mobile app – Designed with your branding, so regulars can place orders and remain connected to your restaurant anytime.
• Online ordering system – Easy for customers to use, built to match the experience of major brands.
• Loyalty and rewards programs – Help boost repeat visits with a simple point system and customer rewards.
• Push notifications and promotions – Send updates, deals, and limited-time offers straight to your customers’ phones.
• Coupons and community deals – Run local discounts that attract new business and support loyal guests.

Reach more customers and boost online orders with a mobile app built just for your restaurant. Launch with Buildify today!

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FAQs About Mobile Marketing for Restaurants

What is the best marketing strategy for restaurants?

The best marketing strategy for restaurants combines local SEO, mobile-friendly online ordering, loyalty programs, and promotions through email, SMS, and social media.

What are the 4 P’s of a restaurant?

The 4 Ps of a restaurant are product, price, place, and promotion.

What are the 7 P’s of service marketing in restaurants?

The 7 Ps of service marketing in restaurants include product, price, place, promotion, people, process, and physical evidence.

How do you create a mobile marketing strategy?

To create a mobile marketing strategy, set clear goals, choose mobile tools like SMS or apps, build mobile-friendly platforms, and send timely, relevant offers based on customer behavior.