Why, When, and How to Test ItRunning a restaurant is all about connections — between people, flavors, and experiences. But what about connecting with potential customers before they walk through the door? That’s where email marketing comes in.Whether you’re promoting a special event, announcing a new menu, or helping other restaurants grow (like we do at Spice Up Marketing), email remains one of the most effective — and affordable — ways to reach your audience.Let’s break down how to use it strategically, when to use it, and how to write emails that actually get replies.
Why Email Marketing Still WorksDespite all the noise on social media, email consistently delivers the highest ROI of any digital channel — often more than $36 earned for every $1 spent.Here’s why it works so well for restaurants and B2B outreach:- It’s personal: You land directly in someone’s inbox — not in a crowded feed.
- It’s measurable: You can track opens, clicks, and conversions.
- It’s scalable: Once you find what works, you can automate and expand.
- It builds trust: You’re not chasing — you’re offering value first.
When to Use Email MarketingKnowing when to use email marketing is just as important as knowing how.For restaurants, ideal moments include:- Before launching a new menu or seasonal offer
- To promote events or “Taco Tuesday” deals
- For re-engaging past customers or collecting reviews
For agencies like Spice Up Marketing, email works best when:
- Reaching out to restaurant owners who might not know your brand yet (cold outreach)
- Following up after a social media ad or lead magnet (warm leads)
- Nurturing prospects with value-based content like audits, tips, or case studies
How to Test Your Emails (A/B Testing)No single email fits all audiences — which is why testing is key.A/B testing means sending two different versions of the same email to small segments of your audience and seeing which performs better.You can test things like:- Subject line: Does “Free Marketing Audit” or “Last 10 Spots Available” get more opens?
- Tone: Friendly and personal vs. formal and expert
- Length: Short and punchy vs. detailed and educational
- Call to action (CTA): “Book Now” vs. “See Your Free Report”
After testing, use the version that drives more clicks or replies for your main send.
Cold emails can work incredibly well — if they’re done right. Here’s what we’ve learned helping restaurants grow through smart outreach:
- Personalize every message. Use the restaurant’s name, city, or mention something unique about them.
- Focus on value, not selling. Offer something useful right away (like a free audit or insight).
- Use social proof. Mention real results from similar businesses.
- Be short, clear, and human. No one wants to read a wall of text.
- End with a simple next step. Just one — like clicking a link or replying to schedule a call.
- Respect privacy laws. Include your company info and a clear unsubscribe option.
Real-Life Example: Our A/B Test for Restaurant OutreachHere’s how we tested two cold outreach emails at Spice Up Marketing.Both promoted our Free Restaurant Marketing Audit, but with different tones and persuasion triggers.Version A — Authority + Reciprocity
Subject: Your restaurant might be invisible online — let’s fix that for freeHi,When was the last time you Googled your own restaurant?If you’re not showing up for searches like “best Mexican restaurant near me” or “authentic tacos in [city name]”, you’re losing dozens of hungry customers every single day.At Spice Up Marketing, we’ve helped restaurants just like yours increase local visibility by up to 120% in 30 days — and it all starts with a free Restaurant Marketing Audit.You’ll get a personalized report that reveals:
Where your restaurant appears in local searches What’s missing in your online presence 3 quick wins to boost visibility right awayNo fees. No sales pitch. Just data-driven insights from restaurant marketing experts.
Book Your Free Audit Now — it only takes 30 seconds to schedule.Warm regards,The Spice Up Marketing Team
Turning clicks into customers, one restaurant at a timewww.spiceupmarketing.comUnsubscribe anytime by clicking [here].
Where your restaurant appears in local searches What’s missing in your online presence 3 quick wins to boost visibility right awayNo fees. No sales pitch. Just data-driven insights from restaurant marketing experts. Book Your Free Audit Now — it only takes 30 seconds to schedule.Warm regards,The Spice Up Marketing Team Turning clicks into customers, one restaurant at a timewww.spiceupmarketing.comUnsubscribe anytime by clicking [here].Version B — Scarcity + Social Proof
Subject: Last call — only 10 free marketing audits left this month Hey [First Name],This month, we’re offering a limited number of free Restaurant Marketing Audits — and there are only 10 spots left.Why do restaurants love it? Because in less than a week, they see exactly why their tables aren’t full — and what to do about it.Here’s what recent clients discovered:
A taco bar saw +47% more reservations after optimizing Google listings A family restaurant ranked #1 for “Mexican food near me” within 30 daysYour audit includes a full analysis of your website, Google profile, and ads — completely free.Once the last spots are taken, we’ll reopen in November.
Don’t wait — Book Your Free Audit Now before this round closes.Cheers,Team Spice Up MarketingHelping restaurants turn local searches into full tableswww.spiceupmarketing.comThis email was sent by Spice Up Marketing. You can unsubscribe anytime by clicking [here].
Hey [First Name],This month, we’re offering a limited number of free Restaurant Marketing Audits — and there are only 10 spots left.Why do restaurants love it? Because in less than a week, they see exactly why their tables aren’t full — and what to do about it.Here’s what recent clients discovered: A taco bar saw +47% more reservations after optimizing Google listings A family restaurant ranked #1 for “Mexican food near me” within 30 daysYour audit includes a full analysis of your website, Google profile, and ads — completely free.Once the last spots are taken, we’ll reopen in November. Don’t wait — Book Your Free Audit Now before this round closes.Cheers,Team Spice Up MarketingHelping restaurants turn local searches into full tableswww.spiceupmarketing.comThis email was sent by Spice Up Marketing. You can unsubscribe anytime by clicking [here]. What We Learned from the Test
- Version A generated more replies — restaurant owners appreciated the helpful, expert tone.
- Version B drove more clicks — urgency and social proof increased conversions.
By combining the insights from both, we refined our messaging to be trustworthy yet time-sensitive, which boosted our overall booking rate by 38%.
Final TakeawayEmail marketing isn’t about spamming inboxes — it’s about building real relationships at scale.When you approach outreach with empathy, offer value first, and constantly test your messaging, you turn cold leads into warm conversations — and ultimately, into loyal clients or diners.If you’re a restaurant owner ready to see how email marketing can fill your tables, Book Your Free Restaurant Marketing Audit today — and let’s spice up your visibility together.
Final TakeawayEmail marketing isn’t about spamming inboxes — it’s about building real relationships at scale.When you approach outreach with empathy, offer value first, and constantly test your messaging, you turn cold leads into warm conversations — and ultimately, into loyal clients or diners.If you’re a restaurant owner ready to see how email marketing can fill your tables, Book Your Free Restaurant Marketing Audit today — and let’s spice up your visibility together.