In a world flooded with online ads, emails, and endless social media content, customers have developed “digital fatigue” — tuning out most marketing messages. That’s why many restaurants and cafés are revisiting tried-and-true methods like SMS messaging and printed flyers, which cut through the clutter and deliver real results.
SMS and flyers offer personal, direct ways to reach your customers without relying solely on crowded digital platforms.
Digital fatigue happens when people are overwhelmed by too many online messages, causing them to ignore emails, ads, and social posts. The average person sees between 4,000 and 10,000 digital ads daily, so it’s no surprise that time-sensitive offers often get lost in the noise.
For small venues, this means your carefully crafted social posts or email campaigns might not get the attention they deserve — leading to missed opportunities and fewer repeat customers.
SMS messages have some impressive stats that make them perfect for restaurants and bars:
98% open rate, with 90% read within 3 minutes
45% response rate, compared to email’s 6%
Ideal for urgent, flash offers like happy hour deals or event reminders
Because SMS lands directly on your customers’ phones, it’s hard to ignore. Tools like RevUp make sending personal, large-scale SMS campaigns easy — helping you reach your customers fast and effectively.
Flyers might seem old-fashioned, but they’re a powerful local marketing tool when used smartly:
Include flyers with takeaway orders to encourage bounce-back visits with special discounts or loyalty sign-up QR codes.
Use letterbox drops to promote new menu items, events, or weekday specials in your neighbourhood.
Direct mail flyers boast open rates between 80-90%, outperforming many digital channels. They create a tangible reminder that online ads simply can’t match.
Yes! Using SMS and flyers together lets you:
Reach customers instantly with SMS for urgent offers
Create a lasting local presence with physical flyers
Support your first-party data strategy by encouraging sign-ups and repeat orders
Cover multiple customer preferences — some like digital, some appreciate physical touchpoints
This combined approach gives you more ways to connect and keeps your venue top of mind.
Start with a simple SMS campaign: Send a limited-time offer or event reminder to your current customer list.
Add flyers to takeaway bags: Include bounce-back discounts or loyalty invites to turn one-time orders into repeat visits.
Plan local letterbox drops: Target nearby neighbourhoods with strong offers to boost foot traffic.
Track what works: Use your platform’s reporting tools to see which messages get the best responses and refine your approach.
HungryHungry’s platform makes it easy to launch SMS campaigns and manage order fulfilment with space for flyers. We help you:
Automate personalised SMS messaging based on order behaviour
Coordinate delivery orders with marketing inserts
Track campaign performance so you know what’s driving sales
Digital marketing is crowded and noisy, making it hard for restaurants to get noticed. But SMS and flyers are simple, direct, and effective tools that cut through the clutter and build stronger connections with your customers.
If you’re ready to stand out, mix old-school marketing with digital channels for the best of both worlds — and watch your venue grow.