Mobile Marketing for Restaurants: 5 Ways to Get Started

Mobile marketing for restaurants is no longer optional; it’s essential. Diners expect convenience, and while online ordering is standard, it takes more than that to earn repeat business. That’s why restaurants are investing in branded mobile apps and leveraging other mobile marketing strategies to boost direct sales and keep guests coming back.

In this post, we’ll explore five proven mobile marketing tactics for restaurants that deliver measurable results. Plus, we'll show how the DoorDash Commerce Platform can help you get the most out of your mobile channels.

What is mobile marketing for restaurants?

Mobile marketing for restaurants is the practice of reaching, engaging, and retaining diners through smartphones and mobile devices. It goes beyond simply offering online ordering — it’s about creating convenient experiences that drive both first-time visits and repeat business.

At its core, mobile marketing for restaurants combines tools like:

• Mobile-friendly websites that make it easy for customers searching your restaurant on their phones to learn more about your offerings

• Branded mobile apps that make ordering seamless and keep your restaurant top-of-mind

• Push notifications and SMS campaigns to share promotions, limited-time offers, or loyalty rewards instantly

• Mobile-friendly emails to reach diners on the go and drive action directly from their inboxes

• Loyalty programs accessible on mobile that turn occasional guests into regulars 

Mobile marketing is powerful because it allows restaurants to meet US customers where they already spend over seven hours of their day — on their phones. By investing in your restaurant's mobile marketing strategies, you can put your brand in every customer's pocket, strengthening your relationships with guests over time.

Mobile marketing for restaurants: 5 key strategies

Below, we’ll break down five of the most effective mobile marketing strategies for restaurants, with practical examples of how they work — and why they matter for your bottom line.

Build a mobile-friendly website

A mobile-friendly restaurant website design is the first step in building a solid mobile marketing plan for your business. After all, mobile-friendly sites see higher conversion rates than those that aren't optimized for smartphone screens.

A mobile-friendly restaurant website should:

• Load quickly on all devices

• Display menus and specials clearly

• Offer an easy-to-use online ordering system

If you'd like to build a mobile-friendly restaurant website, but you're not sure where to start, consider the DoorDash Commerce Platform. Available across all three Commerce Platform packages, branded websites are easy to launch and optimized for smartphones.

Launch a branded mobile app 

Customers who order on a mobile app are 30% more likely to reorder.* With numbers like that it's no surprise that branded mobile apps are the centerpiece of many restaurant mobile marketing strategies.

With a mobile app, you can:

• Offer one-tap ordering and easy checkout

• Collect data on diner preferences for smarter marketing

• Send push notifications that drive repeat visits

For restaurants, branded apps aren’t just about convenience — they’re a long-term growth tool that builds loyalty and increases direct sales. Although the value of having a restaurant ordering app is clear, launching and managing one can be easier said than done.

That's where the DoorDash Commerce Platform comes in. With the Pro package, DoorDash engineers do the heavy lifting for you, building your app from the ground up. According to Wesley Li, Owner of Bowls of Rice, he met with the DoorDash team only two times to get his restaurant's app up and running.

Invest in push notifications and SMS 

Push notifications and SMS campaigns are essential tools in mobile marketing for restaurants because they connect you directly with diners in real time. These short, timely messages grab attention and drive immediate action.

Restaurants use push and SMS to:

• Share promotions and limited-time menu items

• Remind customers about loyalty rewards

• Re-engage diners who haven’t ordered in a while

Because they’re instant and personal, push notifications and SMS can boost engagement and increase order frequency.

Send mobile-friendly emails

Restaurant email marketing remains one of the most reliable mobile marketing tools — but only if your messages are designed with mobile in mind. In fact, nearly 66% of all marketing emails are opened on a mobile device, which means a poorly formatted email can cost you clicks, conversions, and loyal diners.

To make email work as part of your restaurant’s mobile marketing strategy:

• Use responsive design: Your emails should automatically adjust to different screen sizes so they’re easy to read on any device

• Keep subject lines short and compelling: Mobile inboxes cut off long subject lines, so aim for under 40 characters

• Make CTAs tap-friendly: Buttons like “Order Now” or “Claim Your Reward” should be large enough for easy tapping with a thumb
  

When done right, mobile-friendly emails don’t just inform guests — they inspire immediate action, whether that’s placing an online order, downloading your restaurant app, or joining your loyalty program.

Sending mobile-friendly emails is easy with the DoorDash Commerce Platform. From "set it and forget it" automated email marketing to customizable email templates — the Commerce Platform offers everything you need to start sending branded emails to your guests.

Create a mobile-friendly loyalty program

96% of loyalty program members say loyalty programs are a good way to earn more "bang for their buck," making them one of the oldest and most popular marketing strategies for restaurants. But in 2025 and beyond, it's time to go beyond the punch card. Opt for gamified loyalty programs that guests can easily access directly from their smartphones.

With Cross-Channel Loyalty, customers can earn rewards no matter where they order — in-store, on your website, on your app, and on DoorDash! This industry-first loyalty program makes it easy for guests to earn and track rewards directly from their smartphones.

Getting started with mobile marketing for restaurants 

Mobile marketing for restaurants isn’t just a trend — it’s the standard for how diners discover, engage with, and stay loyal to their favorite spots. From branded apps and mobile-friendly websites to push notifications, loyalty programs, and mobile-optimized emails, each strategy creates more opportunities to connect with customers where they spend a lot of time: on their phones.

By combining these tools, your restaurant can drive more direct orders, strengthen guest relationships, and stand out in an increasingly competitive market. And with the DoorDash Commerce Platform, it’s easier than ever to put these mobile marketing strategies into action and turn casual visitors into lifelong regulars.

*Compared to customers using web ordering channels. Based on internal DoorDash data from January 2025 to June 2025