How to Create a Restaurant Email Blast That Drives More Orders

A well-timed restaurant email blast can do more than announce specials — it can bring customers back again and again. 

Whether you’re reminding regulars about a new seasonal dish or re-engaging diners who haven’t ordered in a while, email marketing for restaurants remains one of the most effective ways to grow repeat business.

Keep reading to learn everything you need to know about how to send a restaurant email blast that drives repeat orders.

What is a restaurant email blast?

A restaurant email blast is a one-time message sent to your customer list — often used to share news, promotions, or limited-time offers. While “blast” might sound old-school, today’s tools make it smarter than ever. With the right approach, your message can feel personal, not pushy, and drive measurable sales.

Why email restaurant blasts work

Even in a world of social media and short attention spans, email remains one of the most reliable ways to connect with your customers. Here’s why:

• Direct connection: You’re reaching diners right in their inbox — not competing with social media algorithms
  Low cost, high impact: Email marketing typically delivers one of the highest ROIs of any marketing channel

• Personalization power: You can tailor your message based on customer preferences, past orders, or location

• Ownership: Unlike social followers, your restaurant email list is yours — a long-term asset you own and control

How to plan a successful restaurant email blast

Know your audience

Start by grouping customers based on their habits. For example, regular lunch customers might respond well to weekday promotions, while weekend diners might prefer event or catering updates.

Craft a clear goal

Every email should have one purpose. Whether it’s promoting a limited-time special, announcing a new location, or celebrating an anniversary, focus your message on a single takeaway. Too many calls-to-action (CTA) can confuse readers — and dilute results.

Write subject lines that get opened

Keep your subject line under 50 characters and lead with a clear benefit. Here are some examples:

• Free dessert this weekend 🍰

• Your weekend treat is waiting

• New fall menu, same neighborhood favorites

• $5 off your next order, just because

• Cozy up with our fall specials

• Something delicious just dropped

Design for mobile

26 to 78% of emails are opened on mobile devices. Because of this, you'll need to think about what your emails will look like on smaller screens. Keep paragraphs short, use one clear image, and make sure buttons are big enough to tap. 

5 ideas for your next restaurant email blast

1. Highlight a seasonal special: Announce a new fall dish or holiday item

2. Remind customers of loyalty rewards: Encourage reorders from loyalty program members with bonus points or discounts

3. Share upcoming events: Promote live music nights, pop-ups, or a community event

4. Celebrate milestones: Thank customers for your anniversary or share a new location opening

5. Partner locally: Cross-promote with nearby shops to reach new diners and build goodwill

With customizable email and text marketing available with the DoorDash Commerce Platform Pro package, each of these ideas can be scheduled ahead — freeing up your team to focus on day-to-day operations. 

Restaurant email blast tips for modern businesses

Keep it short, sweet, and scannable

Your customers get hundreds of emails every week, so make sure yours stands out for the right reasons: clarity and simplicity.

Use short paragraphs (1–3 lines) and clear headlines. Lead with your most important information — like “Free appetizer with any entrée this week” — and avoid long intros. If your email looks good on mobile, you’re halfway there.

Add one clear CTA like:

• “Order now”

• “View our menu”

• “Get your reward”

The easier it is to read and click, the easier it is for customers to take action.

Time it right

Even the best email can get lost if it lands at the wrong time. Try sending blasts when customers are most likely to think about food — mid-morning for lunch specials or mid-afternoon for dinner reminders.

Test a few different days and times to see what works best for your audience. Then, use those insights to build a consistent sending rhythm.

Combine email with other channels

Email is powerful, but it’s even better when it’s part of a larger customer conversation. With the DoorDash Commerce Platform Pro package, you can send coordinated messages through email, text, and push notifications to reach diners wherever they are.

Let’s say you launch a new seasonal dish. You could:

• Announce it by email to your existing list

• Follow up with a quick text to regular customers

• Send a push notification to encourage customers to open your branded mobile app

This multi-channel approach can increase your reach and keep your restaurant front and center when customers are deciding where to eat.

Send your next restaurant email blast with DoorDash

If managing customer outreach feels like one more thing on your plate, the DoorDash Commerce Platform Pro package can help.

With customizable email and text marketing, you can create tailored campaigns that keep your customers coming back — without the heavy lift. Build stronger relationships and loyalty with advanced tools that let you design branded emails, texts, and push notifications in just a few clicks.

Our precise audience targeting ensures your message reaches the right diners at the right time. Whether it’s an event invite, a menu update, or a seasonal offer, DoorDash helps you send custom messages that drive real results.

And with built-in templates, creating campaigns is faster than ever. Simply choose your message, customize the content, and schedule it to send — all within minutes.

DoorDash’s customizable marketing tools help you stay connected, save time, and grow repeat orders — so you can focus on what you do best: serving great food.

Measuring Success

After sending a restaurant email blast, keep an eye on these metrics:

• Open rate: How many customers opened your email

• Click rate: How many clicked a link in your email

• Gross sales: Online Ordering sales from orders placed within 7 days of customers opening an email from you.

When you leverage the DoorDash Commerce Platform to send custom email blasts, these metrics are easily accessible in your Merchant Portal, making it simple to track the success of your sends.

Grow your business with smarter email marketing tools

A restaurant email blast doesn’t need to be complicated. By sending relevant, well-timed messages using the tools available with the DoorDash Commerce Platform, you can strengthen relationships, encourage repeat orders, and build lasting loyalty — all while staying focused on what you do best: great food.