Email marketing for restaurants can be challenging with all of its unique tasks.
They manage fluctuating customer traffic, promote time-sensitive specials and events, coordinate reservations across multiple channels, compete for attention in crowded local markets, and build loyalty programs that keep guests coming back.
Email marketing tools solve these problems by automating reservation confirmations, segmenting customers by food preferences and visit frequency, and promoting special offers when customers are most likely to book.
The right platform will help you fill tables during low demand, increase average order value, and turn one-time visitors into regulars.
In this guide, you’ll find a detailed comparison table of 11 email marketing platforms, feature breakdowns for each tool, specific benefits for restaurants, a step-by-step guide to choosing, and answers to common questions.
Here’s what it comes down to: Restaurants using email marketing can see an average of 3x to 5x ROI, with targeted campaigns increasing this value 25% more repeat visits.
HubSpot is used by restaurant groups around the world – from standalone restaurants to multi-unit chains – who rely on the platform’s integrated CRM and marketing automation to increase reservations and strengthen customer loyalty.
Table of contents
What is Email Marketing for Restaurants?
Email marketing for restaurants is an important way to stay in touch with guests through targeted campaigns. They use it to promote daily specials, announce new menu items, send reservation reminders, share exclusive offers, celebrate customer birthdays, and drive traffic during slow times with strategic promotions.
Comparison Table: Best Email Marketing Software for Restaurants
|
Email marketing tool |
Best for |
Key Features |
Prices |
Average rating |
|
HubSpot |
Multi-location restaurant groups |
Free CRM, reservation tracking, loyalty automation, revenue attribution |
Free; Available with Marketing Hub; Starter $9/month per seat |
4.4/5 |
|
Mailchimp |
Independent restaurants and cafes |
Templates, automation, segmentation, journey mapping |
Free; Essentials $13/month |
4.3/5 |
|
Constant contact |
Restaurants value ease of use |
Drag and drop builder, event marketing, live support |
Starts at $12/month |
4.0/5 |
|
ActiveCampaign |
Restaurants need advanced automation |
Guest review, SMS integration, conditional workflows |
Starts at $15/month |
4.6/5 |
|
Klaviyo |
Restaurants with online ordering |
Advanced segmentation, predictive analytics, sales tracking |
Free; Email: $45/month |
4.6/5 |
|
Brevo |
Growing restaurant groups need SMS |
Email + SMS, transactional emails, unlimited contacts |
Free; Starter $8.08/month |
4.5/5 |
|
Omnisend |
Restaurants with e-commerce components |
Omnichannel automation, product recommendations |
Free; Standard $11.20/month |
4.5/5 |
|
Square marketing |
Restaurants use Square POS |
Native POS integration, automated campaigns, customer insights |
Starts at $45/month |
4.3/5 |
|
Toast Marketing |
Restaurants using Toast POS |
Toast POS integration, guest data sync, automated campaigns |
Individual prices |
4.5/5 |
|
Moosend |
Budget conscious restaurants |
Unlimited emails, automation, landing pages |
Free; Pro $9/month |
4.6/5 |
|
GetResponse |
Restaurants that host events |
Webinar/event hosting, automation, conversion funnels |
Email: $15/month |
4.2/5 |
Best Email Marketing Software for Restaurants
Here are the best email marketing platforms that work well for restaurants, cafes, bars, and foodservice establishments.
1. HubSpot
Best suited for: Multi-location restaurant groups that need CRM, marketing automation, and reservation tracking in one platform
Key HubSpot features:
- Free CRM with guest profile management – Track every customer interaction from initial reservation to repeat visits, dietary preferences, favorite meals and spending habits. Everyone on your team sees the same up-to-date guest information.
- Automated workflows for loyalty campaigns – Create email sequences that reward repeat visits, celebrate customer milestones, and re-engage guests who haven’t eaten in 30-60-90 days without manual work.
- Sales attribution by location and campaign – See which email campaigns drive reservations, online orders, and store visits. Link your marketing directly to sales by location, daypart and advertising type.
HubSpot Pricing:
- Marketing Hub free: $0 (email marketing, forms, landing pages, CRM)
- Marketing Hub Starter: $9/month per seat
- Marketing Hub Professional: $800/month
- Marketing Hub Enterprise: $3,600/month
2. Mailchimp
Best suited for: Independent restaurants and cafes wanting easy-to-use automation with food and drink templates
Key Mailchimp features:
- Restaurant specific templates – Launch promotions quickly with email designs designed for daily specials, happy hour announcements, and seasonal menu presentations without any design skills.
- Mapping the guest journey – Visualize the entire restaurant experience from the first visit to becoming a loyal regular, identify communication gaps and find ways to increase visit frequency.
- Behavioral automation – Send targeted emails based on customer activity – reservation bookings, online orders, email clicks – to follow up at the right time without manual sending.
Mailchimp Pricing:
- Free Tier (limited features)
- Basic plan: $13/month
- Standard: $20/month
- Premium: $350/month
3. Constant contact
Best suited for: Restaurants that want easy email marketing with strong customer support and event promotion tools
Important constant contact functions:
- Drag and drop email builder – Create professional restaurant emails without coding. The simple interface allows promotions to be launched quickly, even during busy service hours.
- Event marketing integration – Promote and manage wine tastings, chef dinners, live music nights and private events with registration, confirmations and reminders in one place.
- Real-time reporting dashboard – Monitor campaign performance with clear visual representations of opens, clicks and reservations without complex analytics.
Constant Contact prices:
- Lite: $12/month
- Standard: $35/month
- Premium: $80/month
4. ActiveCampaign
Best suited for: Restaurants requiring sophisticated automation and guest reviews for VIP programs and personalized marketing
Key ActiveCampaign features:
- Advanced guest review – Automatically identify your most valuable customers based on visit frequency, average check size and email engagement to create VIP experiences and exclusive offers.
- Conditional workflow automation – Create email sequences that adapt to guest responses, food preferences, and visit patterns, offering different pathways for first-time visitors and repeat guests.
- Integrated SMS – Coordinate email and text campaigns for time-sensitive communications such as same-day table availability, last-minute reservations and weather-related closures.
ActiveCampaign Pricing:
- Starter: $15/month
- Plus: $49/month
- Pro: $79/month
- Enterprise: $145/month
5. Klaviyo
Best suited for: Restaurants with online ordering and delivery that need advanced segmentation and revenue attribution
Key features of Klaviyo:
- Predictive analytics for restaurants – Identify guests who are likely to churn, predict future order values, and recommend menu items based on previous orders using machine learning algorithms.
- Advanced segmentation with over 350 criteria – Create specific guest segments based on order history, dietary preferences, spending habits and visit frequency for targeted promotions.
- Tracking sales attribution – See exactly how much revenue each email campaign generates through dining reservations, online ordering, and delivery to demonstrate marketing ROI.
Klaviyo prices:
- Free: $0 (250 contacts)
- Email: Starting at $45/month
- Email + SMS: $60/month
6. Brevo
Best suited for: Growing restaurant groups that need email and SMS on one platform, with pricing based on sends rather than contacts
Key Features of Brevo:
- Unified email and SMS for restaurants – Coordinate text reminders with email promotions through one interface to confirm reservations via SMS while simultaneously promoting special offers via email.
- Transactional email features – Automatically send reservation confirmations, online order receipts, and gift card purchase confirmations with reliable delivery.
- Unlimited contacts on paid plans – Create large customer databases without increasing costs as pricing is based on emails sent rather than the number of contacts – ideal for growing email lists.
Brevo prices:
- Free: $0 (300 emails/day)
- Starter: $8.08/month
- Business: $16.17/month
- Professional: $449.08/month
- Company: Individual prices
7. Omnisend
Best suited for: Restaurants with merchandise, meal kits, or packaged goods in need of eCommerce email marketing
Key Omnisend features:
- Omnichannel workflow automation – Create unified customer journeys that combine email, SMS and push notifications based on guest behavior to deliver consistent messaging across all channels.
- Product recommendation engine – Automatically suggest menu items, merchandise or meal sets based on previous orders to increase average order value through personalized recommendations.
- Campaign booster feature – Automatically send campaigns to non-openers with different subject lines to give every ad a second chance and increase overall reach by 10-15%.
Omnisend prices:
- Free: $0
- Standard: $11.20/month
- Pro: $41.30/month
8. Square marketing
Best suited for: Restaurants using Square POS who want native integration with their point of sale system
Key Square Marketing Features:
- Native Square POS integration – Automatically sync customer data from your POS system, including purchase history, visit frequency and favorite items, without manual exports or third-party connectors.
- Automated campaign triggers – Set up emails to automatically send based on actual POS data after customer visits, on customer birthdays, or when guests have not visited for 30 days.
- Customer insights from POS data – Segment guests based on actual purchasing behavior, average check size, and visit patterns taken directly from your point of sale system.
Square Marketing Pricing:
- Free
- Square Plus: $49/month
- Square Premium: $149/month
9. Toast Marketing
Best suited for: Restaurants that want deep integration into their restaurant management system
Key Features:
- Toast POS integration – Sync guest data directly from Toast POS, including order history, preferences, allergies and visit frequency, for highly personalized marketing campaigns.
- Automated guest communication – Send triggered emails and SMS based on Toast data, including post-visit thank you messages, birthday offers, and absent guest win-back campaigns.
- Integration of loyalty programs – Link email campaigns to Toast loyalty program data to drive points balances, reward redemptions and tier achievements that drive repeat visits.
Prices:
- Individual pricing based on restaurant size and needs
- Contact Toast for a quote
10. Moosend
Best suited for: Budget-conscious restaurants that want powerful automation at low cost
Key Features:
- Unlimited email delivery – Send as many emails as needed without incurring per-message fees, making it economical for common promotions like daily deals and happy hour announcements.
- AI-powered subject line optimization – Improve open rates with AI that analyzes performance and suggests improvements based on millions of campaigns to make your promotions stand out.
- Landing page builder included – Create campaign pages for event registrations, online ordering, and gift card sales to consolidate tools and reduce costs.
Prices:
- Free: $0
- Pro: $9/month
- Company: Individual prices
11. GetResponse
Best suited for: Restaurants that host cooking classes, wine tastings, and special events that require event management
Key GetResponse features:
- Integrated event hosting – Manage virtual cooking classes, wine tastings and cooking demonstrations for up to 1,000 participants without separate event software.
- Conversion funnel builder – Create complete marketing funnels with landing pages, email sequences, and event registration that guide guests from awareness to booking.
- Autofunnel templates – Launch campaigns faster with pre-built restaurant promotion templates that take minutes instead of hours to set up and deploy.
Prices:
- Entree: $15.58
- Marketer: $48.38
- Creator: $56.58
Benefits of Email Marketing Software for Restaurants
Fill tables during slow times.
Stop relying on walk-ins during off-peak hours. Email marketing software promotes strategic offers during slow parts of the day and days of the week. Restaurants significantly increase weekday lunch traffic by leveraging targeted lunch specials. Send timed campaigns that reach customers as they plan their meals.
Build a loyal customer base.
Emails keep you top of mind and turn first-time visitors into repeat customers. Automated loyalty campaigns reward repeat visits and celebrate milestones. Restaurants increase repeat visits through strategic email loyalty programs. Create VIP experiences that make guests feel valued.
Increase average order value.
Identify high-value menu items and promote them to the right customers at the right time. Restaurants increase the average check size by 20-30% Using AI-powered systems such as personalized menu recommendations via email. Suggest appetizers, premium entrees and desserts based on your previous ordering behavior.
Reduce no-shows and cancellations.
Automated reminder emails and SMS reduce forgotten reservations. Restaurants reduce no-show rates through automated confirmation and reminder sequences. Send reminders 24 hours before reservation with easy change options.
Generate income from your email list.
Turn your customer database into a sales channel. Email campaigns encourage reservations, online orders, gift card sales, and merchandise purchases. See exactly which promotions generate the most sales and optimize accordingly.
10 Important Features for Restaurant Email Marketing Software
- POS integration – Automatically sync customer data from your point of sale system
- Reservation system integration – Connect to OpenTable, Resy or proprietary booking systems
- SMS functions – Send text messages for time-sensitive promotions and confirmations
- Segmentation based on food preferences – Target customers based on dietary needs, favorite dishes and visit patterns
- Automated birthday campaigns – Automatically trigger special offers on customer birthdays
- Mobile optimization – Displays correctly on smartphones, where 75% of restaurant emails are opened
- A/B testing – Test subject lines, send times, and offers to improve performance
- Behavioral automation – Trigger follow-ups based on reservations, orders and website visits
- Sales attribution – Track which campaigns lead to reservations and online orders
- Event marketing tools – Promote and manage special events, tastings and private parties
How to Choose a Restaurant Email Marketing Tool (Step by Step)
Step 1: Map your restaurant marketing workflows.
Document all customer touchpoints, including reservation confirmations, post-visit thank you messages, birthday offers, loyalty rewards, event promotions, daily specials, seasonal menu launches, and former customer win-back campaigns. Identify what is manual and what could be automated.
Step 2: Identify must-have features based on your restaurant type.
Quick-service restaurants need online ordering integration and mobile optimization. Foodie establishments need reservation system integration and VIP guest management. Restaurant groups need multi-location capabilities and centralized reporting. List your absolute needs versus nice-to-haves.
Step 3: Compare usability and team suitability.
Test platforms during free trials. Can your team create campaigns independently between service shifts, or do you need ongoing support? Constant Contact and Mailchimp are suitable for beginners. ActiveCampaign and HubSpot offer more power but require more expertise.
Step 4: Check costs at scale.
Calculate the cost as your customer database grows over a 12 to 24 month period. Some platforms charge per contact, others charge per email sent. Project the size of your list (including reservation email captures, WiFi sign-ups, and loyalty programs) and check pricing at that volume. Consider the cost of SMS messaging.
Step 5: Choose a flexible platform – like HubSpot
Choose a platform that can scale without forcing you to migrate later. HubSpot supports restaurants from single locations to multi-unit chains with a unified platform. Start with the free tier and then expand as you grow – no data migration required.
How to create email marketing campaigns for restaurants
Define your campaign goal and target group.
Set a clear goal before creating content. Do you fill tables during quiet times? Advertising a new menu? Are you building your loyalty program? Generate gift card sales? Win back lapsed customers? Clear goals guide everything, from the subject line to the offer.
Segment your customer list.
Divide contacts into target groups: first-time visitors versus repeat guests, lunch versus dinner customers, dietary preferences (vegetarian, gluten-free, etc.), high spenders versus value seekers, and inactive guests. (Segmented Restaurant Campaigns) (generate 65% higher open rates) (than generic broadcasts).
Design appetizing, mobile-friendly templates.
Create templates that beautifully present your food while displaying correctly on smartphones (where 75% of restaurant emails are opened). Leverage high-quality food photography, single-column layouts, clear hierarchies, and large, tap-friendly reservation buttons.
Write subject lines that encourage action.
Communicate value and urgency immediately. Examples: “Tonight only: 20% off all wines,” “Your birthday dinner is on us,” “New fall menu just released,” or “Table for 2 available this Saturday.” Keep subject lines under 40 characters and use time-sensitive wording.
Add a clear call to action.
Remind recipients of one key action: make a reservation, order online, purchase a gift card, register for an event, or redeem an offer. Multiple CTAs cause confusion. Place your primary CTA prominently with contrasting colors and action-oriented text.
Set up automated follow-up sequences.
Configure triggered follow-ups based on guest behavior. Send thank you emails within 24 hours of the meal. Respond to review requests two to three days later. Create win-back campaigns for guests who have not visited for 30-60-90 days with escalating offers.
Monitor performance and adjust timing.
Track opens, clicks, reservations and revenue generated. Test different shipping times to find out when your customers are most likely to interact. Many restaurants get best results by sending lunch deals Tuesday through Thursday mornings and dinner deals Thursday through Friday afternoons.
Frequently asked questions
What is the best email marketing tool for restaurants?
HubSpot is the best email marketing tool for restaurants because it combines email, SMS, CRM, and reservation tracking into one platform.
The free tier includes unlimited contacts, email marketing, forms, landing pages, and CRM – accessible to single-location restaurants and small chains. Groups with multiple locations benefit from revenue attribution, which links campaigns to reservations and online orders by location.
Restaurant groups using HubSpot increased repeat customer visits through automated loyalty campaigns and personalized offers.
What features should I look for in restaurant email marketing tools?
Look for POS integration, reservation system integration, SMS capabilities, food preference segmentation, automated birthday campaigns, mobile optimization, behavioral automation, A/B testing, revenue attribution, and event marketing tools.
POS integration automatically syncs customer data without the need for manual exports. SMS capabilities are important for time-sensitive promotions and reservation confirmations. Mobile optimization is essential because 50-60% of emails are opened on mobile devices.
Is HubSpot good for restaurants?
Yes, HubSpot is great for restaurants. It offers a single marketing, reservations and guest management platform designed specifically for hotel businesses. The free CRM tracks every customer interaction, including visit history, favorite meals, dietary restrictions and spending habits.
Marketing automation allows you to create workflows for reservation confirmations, post-visit thank you messages, and loyalty rewards, eliminating the need for technical expertise.
Multi-location restaurant groups increased their online order sales by using HubSpot’s automated campaigns and segmentation. Individual locations start free and then expand as they grow.
How much does email marketing software for restaurants cost?
Email marketing software costs between $0 and $3,600 per month depending on the size of the customer database, features, and size of the restaurant. Free tiers typically support 250-1,000 contacts with basic features.
Paid entry-level plans cost $12 to $29 per month for fewer than 1,000 contacts. Mid-sized restaurants with 2,500 to 5,000 contacts typically spend $50 to $200 per month. Large restaurant groups with 10,000+ contacts invest $500-$3,600+ per month.
Some platforms charge per contact, others per email or SMS sent – compare carefully as your list grows.
How can restaurants build their email lists?
Build email lists through WiFi sign-up forms that require email addresses to access, tableside tablet sign-ups that offer birthday rewards, reservation system integrations that automatically capture emails, point-of-sale prompts at checkout, website pop-ups with first-visit discounts, social media contests that require email entries, and in-store signage to promote Loyalty programs.
Restaurants grow their email lists three to five times faster by leveraging multiple capture points throughout the customer journey. Always offer clear value in exchange for email addresses.
Meet HubSpot, the best email marketing choice for restaurants
HubSpot combines email marketing, SMS, CRM, and reservation tracking into a single platform designed specifically for hotel businesses. Over 184,000 companies worldwide trust HubSpot because it eliminates the need for multiple separate tools.
Key HubSpot features for restaurants:
- Unified guest database and marketing platform – Manage every customer interaction from the first reservation to the 50th visit, including dietary preferences, favorite meals, allergies and spending habits, in a system accessible to everyone.
- Automated reservation and loyalty workflows – Create email and SMS sequences triggered by reservations, visit milestones and guest behavior using drag-and-drop automation with conditional logic – no technical expertise required.
- Sales allocation across multiple locations – Track which campaigns drive reservations, online orders, and store visits by location, daypart, and promotion type to see exactly what’s working.
HubSpot’s Impact on Restaurants:
Multi-location restaurant groups increased repeat customer visits with HubSpot’s automated loyalty campaigns that reward visit frequency and spending milestones.
Restaurants using HubSpot generated more online order sales by segmenting customers by order history and sending personalized menu recommendations.
Independent restaurants reduced no-show rates by using HubSpot’s automated confirmation and reminder sequences via email and SMS. Restaurant chains saved 15 hours per location each week by automating birthday offers, post-visit thank you messages, and win-back campaigns.
HubSpot’s free tier offers full CRM and email marketing features without requiring a credit card. Paid tiers start at $9 per month and expand to enterprise solutions that include advanced analytics, multi-location reporting, and API integrations with major POS and reservation systems.
Are you ready to fill more tables and increase customer loyalty? Get started with HubSpot’s free platform or Schedule a demo to see how it works for restaurants like yours.