Summer in San Antonio is tricky for restaurants. On one hand, it’s too hot to cook at home, which drives people out. On the other, families travel, routines change, and that “what’s for dinner” decision gets scattered. Email marketing is how you stay in the running.
Build Your List With Every Ticket
If you’re not collecting emails, you’re starting from zero every week. The simplest way: add a line to your receipt or table card that says “Get exclusive specials…text your email to [number]” or “Join our email list for VIP offers” with a QR code that links to your signup form.
You can also collect emails through online ordering, reservation platforms, and your website. Every email you collect is a direct line to a potential repeat customer…no algorithm, no ad spend required. Our Father’s Day email campaign guide breaks down the exact sequences that fill restaurants every June.
Send a Weekly Special Email
Pick one day a week…say, Wednesday morning…and send a short email highlighting your weekend special. That’s it. Not a newsletter. Not a five-paragraph essay about your culinary philosophy. Just:
- What the special is
- One mouth-watering photo
- A link to your menu or reservation page
A taqueria on Nogalitos sending “This Weekend: Smoked Brisket Tacos, Only Available Friday & Saturday” gets people planning their Friday night around your food.
Father’s Day Campaign
Father’s Day is June 16th, and it’s one of the biggest dining-out days of the year. Start promoting two weeks early:
- Email 1 (June 3): “Celebrate Dad with us…Father’s Day reservations now open”
- Email 2 (June 10): “Last chance to book your Father’s Day table”
- Email 3 (June 14): “Still need Father’s Day plans? We’ve got you”
If you offer a special Father’s Day menu or experience, feature it prominently. People want to feel like they’re giving Dad something special, not just another dinner.
Summer-Specific Content
Tie your emails to the season:
- “Beat the heat with our new frozen margarita flight”
- “Kids eat free Tuesdays all summer”
- “Patio dining is back…join us under the stars”
For restaurants near the River Walk, Hemisfair, or any outdoor venue, summer patio content practically writes itself. Make sure your Google Business Profile showcases those summer patio photos and pair your emails with football season social media when fall arrives.
Don’t Spam…Serve
One email per week is the sweet spot for most restaurants. If you’re sending daily emails, people will unsubscribe. If you’re sending monthly emails, they’ll forget about you. Weekly keeps you top of mind without being annoying.
Every email should offer something…a deal, a new dish, an event, a story. If you wouldn’t want to receive it, don’t send it. Our Father’s Day email playbook for restaurants walks through the exact three-email sequence. Keep your Google Business Profile updated for summer tourists and when football season starts, shift to our social media playbook for game-day promotions.
Need help with email marketing? Check out gift.growmysmallbusiness.com and let’s keep your tables full all summer.