SMS vs Email vs Flyers: Which Channel Delivers Best for Restaurants in 2025?

What are the main differences between SMS, email, and flyers for restaurant marketing?

Choosing the right channel to communicate with your customers can be overwhelming. Each method has its own strengths and ideal use cases:

• SMS: Instant, direct, and highly engaging messages sent straight to your customer’s phone. Best for urgent updates and flash promotions.

• Email: Great for detailed news, newsletters, and broader communications. Has a wide reach but lower immediate engagement than SMS.

• Flyers: Tangible, local marketing tools ideal for in-store events, takeaway inserts, and letterbox drops.

Why does SMS outperform other channels in engagement?

SMS boasts a remarkable 98% open rate, with 90% of messages read within just 3 minutes. Response rates hit around 45%, far outperforming email’s 6%. SMS is also cost-effective for quick, time-sensitive offers, making it perfect for happy hour promos, event reminders, and flash sales.

When is email marketing the best choice?

Email marketing remains a staple with 4.5 billion users worldwide. It delivers an impressive average ROI of $42 for every $1 spent, especially when used for:

• Newsletters

• Detailed updates

• Non-urgent announcements

While open and response rates may be lower than SMS, email excels at keeping your audience informed and engaged over time.

How do flyers fit into a modern restaurant’s marketing strategy?

Flyers still shine when used for:

• Local promotions and new menu launches

• In-store events and offers

• Takeaway or delivery order inserts

Flyers have open rates between 80-90%, making them a powerful tool for creating a physical connection with customers. Though printing and distribution costs are higher, their local impact can’t be ignored.

What’s the best way to combine these channels for maximum impact?

A smart multi-channel approach leverages the strengths of each:

• Use SMS for immediate, high-engagement messages that prompt quick action.

• Use email to share detailed stories, newsletters, and updates that build long-term relationships.

• Use flyers to boost local presence and create tangible reminders that drive repeat visits.

How can HungryHungry help me manage these marketing channels?

HungryHungry’s platform simplifies multi-channel marketing by letting you:

• Automate personalised SMS campaigns based on order behaviour

• Manage email communications seamlessly

• Coordinate takeaway orders with flyer inserts

• Track and analyse campaign performance for better decisions

Wrapping up: Which marketing channel should restaurants focus on in 2025?

There’s no one-size-fits-all answer. The best results come from combining channels strategically:

• SMS delivers quick wins and urgent engagement.

• Email builds trust and long-term loyalty.

• Flyers connect with local customers in a physical way.

For single-site venues and growing cafés, balancing these channels with data-driven insights is the recipe for sustainable growth.