50+ Sample Text Messages for Restaurant Marketing

It’s Friday at 7:00 p.m., and a party of six never shows. Nobody sent a reservation reminder, so the table sits empty during your busiest hour. Text messages like that often go unsent because no one on shift has enough time to write and send the message. 

This guide gives you 50+ restaurant SMS templates sorted by use case, from reservation confirmations to staff alerts. You’ll also learn the SMS marketing compliance rules that keep every send legal.

This article is for educational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Consult an attorney before sending marketing text messages to customers.

TL;DR: Sample texts you can send today

• Send a reservation confirmation at booking, a reservation reminder the day before, and an alert when the table or pickup order is ready.

• Fill slow nights with promotional texts for daily specials, happy hour, and limited-time offers.

• Bring regulars back with loyalty rewards, birthday treats, and win-back offers.

• Follow each visit with review requests that link to your feedback page.

• Text staff about open shifts, schedule changes, and emergency closures.

• Save approved text templates in one shared library, and collect opt-in consent before any marketing send.

What makes a good restaurant text message sample

Every sample in this guide follows five rules that any staff member can apply in seconds, with no marketing background needed.

• Lead with your restaurant name. Put your name in the first few words so guests know who’s texting before they read further.

• Stick to one call to action. A call to action, or CTA, is the step you want the guest to take, like “Reply YES” or “Order Now.” One CTA per text keeps the next step obvious.

• Keep it within one SMS segment. A standard SMS segment holds up to 160 characters. Emojis and some special characters lower that limit to 70, so use them sparingly. Longer texts split into multiple segments, and many SMS platforms charge per segment.

• Include a link. Add a link so guests can go to the page where they place online orders, book a table, or view your event calendar directly from your text. Many SMS platforms track click-through rates (the share of recipients who tap your link) so you can see which texts drive action

• Include an opt-out line on promotional messages. Every marketing text needs a line such as “Reply STOP to opt out.” The compliance section below explains when this applies.

Along with these best practices, you’ll need a reliable way to send texts to your customers.

You can use a separate SMS platform or DoorDash Direct. With Direct, you can send custom text messages to your direct customers from the same Merchant Portal you already use to manage your DoorDash account. With Direct, you can also track SMS open rates, the share of recipients who open your messages — to make sure your customers are actually reading your messages.

How to build your own restaurant text message library

If your best texts live on one manager’s phone, nobody else can use them on that manager’s night off.

List what you already send. Make a list of the texts your team sends several times a week, like reservation confirmations, table-ready alerts, and shift-cover requests. Ask hosts and managers which ones they send most, since each role sends different messages.

Draft each message in plain text. Write one version of each text with bracketed placeholders for details that change, such as [Guest Name], [Time], and [Party Size]. Anyone on shift can fill in the blanks without rewording the message. Check each draft against the 160-character limit and cut words the guest doesn’t need.

Store the library where everyone can reach it. Save approved text templates in a shared document or inside your SMS platform. If the opening manager calls out sick, the closing host can send the same reservation reminder guests already recognize.

Assign one owner. Pick one manager to approve new templates and retire outdated ones. Review the library each season, when menus, hours, and promotions change. A single owner keeps tone and opt-out language consistent across every shift.

50+ sample text messages by use case

The samples are grouped by use case, not ranked. Copy any template, swap the bracketed details for your own, and send.

Reservation confirmation and reminder samples

Send reminders the day before so guests have time to cancel and free the table for someone else.

Booking confirmation

1. [Restaurant Name]: Hi [Guest Name], you’re booked for [Party Size] on [Date] at [Time]. Reply C to confirm or call [Phone Number] to make changes.

2. [Restaurant Name]: Your table for [Party Size] is set for [Date] at [Time]. Need to change the time or party size? Tap [Link].

3. [Restaurant Name]: Thanks for booking your [Occasion] dinner, [Guest Name]! See you on [Date] at [Time]. Share any allergies here: [Link].

Day-before and day-of reminders

1. [Restaurant Name]: Reminder, your table for [Party Size] is tomorrow at [Time]. Reply YES to confirm or NO to cancel.

2. [Restaurant Name]: See you tonight at [Time], [Guest Name]! We hold tables for [Number] minutes past your reservation time.

3. [Restaurant Name]: Parking tip for tonight’s [Time] reservation: [Parking Details]. Running late? Reply here and let us know.

4. [Restaurant Name]: Your patio table is booked for tomorrow at [Time]. If it rains, we’ll seat you inside. Reply with any questions.

No-show follow-up

1. [Restaurant Name]: We missed you tonight, [Guest Name]. Want to rebook? Pick a new time here: [Link].

2. [Restaurant Name]: Sorry we didn’t see you on [Date]. Plans change! Book your next visit anytime at [Link].

Table-ready, pickup, and delivery samples

Tell guests how long they have to check in after you text them, like 10 minutes. If they don’t show, you can seat the next party.

Wait list

1. [Restaurant Name]: Hi [Guest Name], you’re #[Number] on our wait list. Expected wait: [Number] minutes. We’ll text you when your table is ready.

2. [Restaurant Name]: You’re on the list for [Party Size]! Feel free to wait at the bar. Reply CANCEL to leave the wait list.

Table ready

1. [Restaurant Name]: Your table is ready, [Guest Name]! Please check in at the host stand within [Number] minutes to keep your spot.

2. [Restaurant Name]: Almost time! Your table for [Party Size] will be ready in about [Number] minutes. Head back to the host stand.

3. [Restaurant Name]: We’re holding your table for [Number] more minutes. Reply YES if you’re on your way or NO to release it.

Pickup ready

1. [Restaurant Name]: Your online order #[Order Number] is ready at the front counter. Show this text at pickup.

2. [Restaurant Name]: Your curbside order is ready! Reply HERE with your car color when you park, and we’ll bring it out.

Delivery en route

1. [Restaurant Name]: Your order is on the way! Track your driver here: [Link].

2. [Restaurant Name]: Your order arrives in about [Number] minutes. Enjoy your meal, [Guest Name]!

Promotional and slow-night samples

These are marketing messages, so include an opt-out line in every text you send.

Slow nights

1. [Restaurant Name]: Tuesday dinner deal! Enjoy 15% off any entree tonight from [Time] to [Time]. Show this text to your server. Reply STOP to opt out.

2. [Restaurant Name]: Rainy night? Order online tonight for free delivery on orders over [Amount]: [Link]. Reply STOP to opt out.

3. [Restaurant Name]: Tables open tonight after [Time]. Book now and enjoy a free appetizer with your meal: [Link]. Reply STOP to opt out.

Happy hour

1. [Restaurant Name]: Happy hour starts now! Half-price appetizers and cocktails until [Time]. Reply STOP to opt out.

2. [Restaurant Name]: Late-night happy hour is back this Friday, [Time] to close. See the menu: [Link]. Reply STOP to opt out.

New menu items, daily specials, and exclusive deals

1. [Restaurant Name]: Our new [Season] menu starts this weekend! Reserve a table to try it first: [Link]. Reply STOP to opt out.

2. [Restaurant Name]: Today’s special: [Dish Name] for [Price], lunch only. See the full menu: [Link]. Reply STOP to opt out.

3. [Restaurant Name]: For text subscribers only: Try our new [Dish Name] before it hits the menu. Show this text for a free tasting this week. Reply STOP to opt out.

Events and limited-time offers

1. [Restaurant Name]: You’re invited! Join us for [Event Name] on [Date] at [Time]. Save your seat: [Link]. Reply STOP to opt out.

2. [Restaurant Name]: Live music returns this Saturday at [Time]. Book a table near the stage: [Link]. Reply STOP to opt out.

3. [Restaurant Name]: 48 hours only: [Dollar Amount] off online orders of [Amount] or more with code [Code]. Order now: [Link]. Reply STOP to opt out.

Loyalty, birthday, and win-back samples

Use these texts to remind members about their points and to win back guests you haven’t seen in a while.  Whether you use Cross-Channel Loyalty available with Direct, or a different loyalty system — you'll want to make sure you're reminding customers that they're part of your program.

Loyalty points and rewards

1. [Restaurant Name]: You have [Points Number] points! Redeem them on your next order online, in the app, or in-store: [Link]. Reply STOP to opt out.

2. [Restaurant Name]: You’re [Number] points from a free [Reward]. Order this week to claim it: [Link]. Reply STOP to opt out.

3. [Restaurant Name]: Welcome to our loyalty program, [Guest Name]! Enjoy a free appetizer on your next visit. Reply STOP to opt out.

4. [Restaurant Name]: Double points this weekend on every order, online or in-store. Start earning: [Link]. Reply STOP to opt out.

Birthday

1. [Restaurant Name]: Happy birthday, [Guest Name]! Enjoy a free dessert on us this month. Claim it here: [Link]. Reply STOP to opt out.

2. [Restaurant Name]: Your birthday reward expires on [Date]. Use code [Code] for [Dollar Amount] off your next order. Reply STOP to opt out.

Win-back

1. [Restaurant Name]: We miss you, [Guest Name]! Enjoy [Dollar Amount] off your next meal this week: [Link]. Reply STOP to opt out.

2. [Restaurant Name]: It’s been a while! Your favorite [Dish Name] is still on the menu. Order now: [Link]. Reply STOP to opt out.

Review and feedback request samples

A quick text makes it easy for customers to leave a review while their experience is still fresh. Send a short, friendly message after their visit or order, with a direct link so they can share feedback in just a few taps.

Want to automate the follow-up? Guest Experience Management, available with Direct, lets you send review requests by text, automatically. The messages run in the background so no one on your team has to send them manually.

Whether you use Guest Experience Management or not, SMS is always a great way to remind customers to leave a review on Google, DoorDash, Yelp, and more.

Post-visit check-in

1. [Restaurant Name]: Thanks for dining with us today, [Guest Name]! How was everything? Reply with a rating from 1 to 5.

2. [Restaurant Name]: How was your pickup order tonight? Tell us in one tap: [Link].

3. [Restaurant Name]: Thanks for joining us for [Event Name]! What should we do differently next time? Share your thoughts: [Link].

4. [Restaurant Name]: Sorry your visit fell short, [Guest Name]. A manager will call you tomorrow to make it right.

Review request follow-up

1. [Restaurant Name]: Glad you enjoyed your meal, [Guest Name]! Would you share your experience on Google? [Link]

2. [Restaurant Name]: Thanks for ordering with us! A quick Yelp review helps other diners find us: [Link].

3. [Restaurant Name]: Loved the [Dish Name]? Tell other diners about it here: [Link].

Staff and shift samples

Mass texting enables you to send one message to your whole staff list at once.

Shift cover requests

1. [Restaurant Name]: Shift cover needed Friday dinner, [Time] to [Time]. Reply YES to claim it. The first person to reply takes the shift.

2. [Restaurant Name]: We’re short one server for Saturday brunch. Can you pick up [Time] to [Time]? Reply YES or NO.

Schedule changes

1. [Restaurant Name]: Next week’s schedule is posted in [App Name]. Please review your shifts by [Day].

2. [Restaurant Name]: Schedule change: Your Thursday shift now starts at [Time] instead of [Time]. Reply OK to confirm.

3. [Restaurant Name]: Pre-shift meeting starts 15 minutes early today at [Time]. New menu tasting included.

Emergency closures

1. [Restaurant Name]: We’re closed today due to severe weather. Stay safe. We’ll text updates by [Time].

2. [Restaurant Name]: Power outage: We’re closing early tonight. A manager will call you about tomorrow’s shift.

3. [Restaurant Name]: Kitchen issue today. Don’t come in for your [Time] shift until a manager confirms. Reply OK.

SMS compliance rules for restaurants

Collect written consent first. The Telephone Consumer Protection Act (TCPA) is the federal law that covers marketing calls and texts. It requires a guest’s written consent before you send most automated marketing text messages. Guests can opt in (agree to receive your texts) through a checkbox at online checkout, a website popup, or a QR code on your table tents. Save a record of when and how each guest joined your SMS subscriber list.

Separate marketing from transactional texts. Guests receive transactional texts, like a reservation confirmation or table-ready alert, because they booked a table or placed an order. Promotional messages, like happy hour deals, require marketing consent and an opt-out line.

Honor every opt-out. End each promotional text with a line like “Reply STOP to opt out.” When a guest replies STOP, remove them from your list right away. Many SMS platforms remove opted-out numbers automatically.

Respect quiet hours. The TCPA bans marketing texts before 8 a.m. or after 9 p.m. in the guest’s local time. Some states set stricter windows, so check your state’s rules.

Send from a registered business number. U.S. carriers require businesses to register standard 10-digit numbers through 10DLC registration, the system carriers use to verify business texters. Carriers may filter or block texts from unregistered numbers.

Rules vary by state, so talk to an attorney before you launch your first campaign.

How to send these texts without new software

A dedicated SMS platform. An SMS platform is software built for business texting. Many include mass texting, scheduled sends, automatic opt-out removal, and help with 10DLC registration. The trade-off is one more login and subscription for your team.

An email-to-text gateway. Some carriers let you email a phone number’s gateway address, which arrives as a text. The option is free, but gateways offer no consent records or opt-out tools, so use them for staff alerts instead of marketing. Some carriers have shut down their gateways, so confirm yours still works.

A marketing platform you already use.

If you already use a platform for online marketing, check whether it includes SMS. You may be able to manage texts alongside your emails and other campaigns, keeping your customer information and marketing in one place.

If you’re in the market for a new platform, check out our Restaurant Marketing Platform Worksheet. This free resource will help you identify your specific growth goals and help you feel confident when talking to potential providers. 

Be sure to look out for providers like Direct that not only help you send text messages, but also help you grow your contact list. With Direct, your website, branded app, and loyalty program create opportunities for guests to share their contact information and opt in to texts. That means you can keep building your audience as you bring customers back with timely offers and updates.

Start with one text worth sending

You don’t need to use every template in this guide to make texting useful for your restaurant. Start with one need: reminding guests about reservations, sharing a slow-night offer, or inviting regulars back. Make the message your own, save it where your team can find it, and build from there.

Keep each text short, helpful, and easy to act on. Respect your guests’ preferences, and pay attention to which messages lead to bookings, orders, and replies.

Want to bring texting into your existing marketing routine? DoorDash Direct brings text marketing, email, and loyalty tools together to help you stay connected with customers and give them more reasons to return.