Question 1

How often should a restaurant send marketing emails?

Accepted Answer

Automated campaigns send based on guest behavior, so frequency varies by individual. For one-time campaigns, most independent restaurants see strong engagement at 2–4 sends per month. More than that risks opt-outs; less leaves repeat revenue on the table. The key is relevance — a guest who just ordered doesn't need a weekly promotion, but a guest who hasn't visited in 60 days should hear from you.

Question 2

What should a restaurant welcome email include?

Accepted Answer

At minimum: a thank-you for the order, something that conveys your restaurant's personality, and a reason to come back — whether that's a soft incentive, a mention of your rewards program, or a preview of what else is on the menu. Keep it short. The goal isn't to overwhelm a new guest with information — it's to make them feel good about their first choice and give them a clear path to a second one.

Question 3

How do I build an email list for my restaurant?

Accepted Answer

The most effective approach is to capture guest information at the point of order. Online orders through ChowNow collect guest contact information automatically. For dine-in guests, QR Code Ordering captures names, emails, and phone numbers at checkout — and restaurants using it have grown their marketing lists by 40% or more. For walk-ins and phone orders, uploading a CSV with your on-premise guest data connects your full customer base to your marketing in one step.

Question 4

Do I need a marketing tool separate from my ordering system?

Accepted Answer

Not with ChowNow. Email marketing is built directly into the same platform as your online ordering, so campaigns are automatically powered by real ordering data — no integrations, no exporting lists, no reconciling two systems. For more on how ChowNow's tools work together, see the full feature breakdown.

Question 5

How is automated email different from a newsletter?

Accepted Answer

A newsletter goes to your full list on a set schedule, regardless of who receives it or what they've done recently. Automated email sends based on specific guest behavior — a first order, a lapse in visits, a milestone reached. Automated campaigns are more relevant, more personal, and dramatically more effective at driving repeat orders. Targeted, segmented campaigns drive 77% of total email revenue for restaurants that use them.

Ordering

MARKETING

OPERATIONS

Q2 Feature Release

POS INTEGRATIONS

Delivery App Integrations

DISCOVERY NETWORK

See all 20+ ChowNow Integrations

LEARN & GROW

CUSTOMER STORIES

SUPPORT

ABOUT CHOWNOW

PARTNERS & CONTACT

Restaurant Marketing

Best Email & SMS Marketing Platforms for Restaurants: A Buyer's Guide

Restaurant Discovery: How Independents Get Found by New Diners in 2026

Restaurant Rewards Programs: How to Increase Repeat Orders and Loyalty

How to Build a Restaurant Email & SMS List You Actually Own

Restaurant Email Marketing That Drives Repeat Customers

Restaurant Email Marketing That Drives Repeat Customers

Why Your Restaurant Needs a Loyalty Program And How to Launch One

Best Restaurant Loyalty Software for 2026: Why Connected Beats Standalone

Restaurant Email and SMS Marketing: How Independent Operators Drive Repeat Orders

Restaurant SMS Marketing: How to Drive More Orders Today

Restaurant Email vs SMS Marketing: Which Drives More Orders in 2026?

The 11 Best Restaurant Events That Bring In New Customers

TikTok Marketing For Restaurants: How To Turn Views Into Online Orders

The Ultimate Guide to Restaurant Lingo: FOH, BOH, Restaurant Technology and Operations

The 6 Best Restaurant Review Sites (And How To Use Them)

Marketing Strategies For New Restaurants: How To Get Discovered And Build Momentum

Restaurant SWOT Analysis: Turn Insights Into Strategy