Last updated: January 14, 2026 — This article is for pizzeria owners and restaurant operators who want a fast, direct marketing channel to drive repeat orders and increase offer redemptions.
In 2026 there are more marketing channels than ever before. Whereas everyone would like to have the bandwidth to be “omnichannel” marketers, most small businesses need to zero in on the channels that deliver the biggest bang for the buck. The good news is that there is one marketing method businesses can use to engage with consumers that is quick, reliable, not to mention cost effective, but yet remains underutilized: SMS.
Ding! or perhaps it’s a ping, or a beep, a click or some other sound effect that alerts you of a new message. Whatever your tone choice, one thing is for sure is that it’s a sound you hear on regular basis. And chances are, that when you hear that well-known text notification sound coming from your phone, you pick it up to check out who sent you a message.
That behavior is exactly why SMS works so well for pizzerias. Recent consumer research continues to show that SMS is one of the most “seen” channels: text messages are commonly reported to achieve extremely high open rates (often cited around 98%), and many consumers check text notifications within minutes.
Going by the reach and speed of SMS use, there is undoubtedly a huge (if not obvious) opportunity for businesses to interact directly with their customers on the devices they’re already using regularly. SMS marketing comes with real, tangible benefits and can provide businesses with a way to create additional revenue they so badly need.
The response to pizzeria SMS marketing
SMS is not just “popular” — it’s increasingly opted-in. In 2025, SimpleTexting reported that 84% of consumers have opted in to receive SMS messages from businesses. That matters for pizzerias because “pizza night” is often an impulse decision — a well-timed text can turn “what’s for dinner?” into an order quickly.
And the performance can be very measurable in pizza specifically. In one widely-shared Domino’s franchise case study, a single SMS promotion produced 125 additional orders from a $25 send, with reported coupon redemption rates averaging 20–25% for exclusive SMS offers (and 25% redemptions from the first offer).
Across the broader restaurant industry, recent examples also show strong SMS effectiveness when offers are personalized. In a 2025 Paytronix example using tailored SMS offers, campaigns reported a 90% open rate and 30% redemption — which is a helpful benchmark for what’s possible when the offer and audience are well matched.
There is a tremendous opportunity for businesses to leverage SMS to send tailored promotions, distribute coupons and loyalty rewards to increase in-store visits and purchases. If you are currently not using SMS as part of your marketing, don’t worry, you are not the only one. But it doesn’t have to remain that way.
How to approach SMS promotions
Your promotional campaigns should reflect seasonal demand generators and business needs. For example, you might want to leverage the 4th of July to encourage customers to take advantage of a BOGO special (buy 1, get 1 free). You create a coupon and then you apply it to each channel. Most operators should already be creating subject lines and promotion descriptions for their email campaigns. The good news is that same content can easily be re-used for SMS promotions.
The latest version of Target Market, FoodTec’s e-mail marketing, now includes an SMS module in the same application. You can push your SMS promotions out at the same time as your email promotions, using the same coupon “macros” (meaning you get smart coupon promotions!). Plus, you can push them to a landing page of your choice.
Want a demo? Contact FoodTec Sales today at 1-800-350-3339.
Frequently Asked Questions
How is SMS different from email for restaurant marketing?
SMS is typically seen quickly and works best for time-sensitive offers, reminders, and loyalty nudges. Email is better for longer-form messages, menus, and announcements.
What kinds of pizzeria promotions work best over SMS?
Limited-time deals, BOGO offers, slow-day boosters, loyalty rewards, and “order tonight” prompts tend to perform well because they’re simple and urgent.
How often should pizzerias text customers?
Consistency matters, but restraint matters too. Many pizzerias do best with occasional, high-value messages tied to real promotions, busy periods, or loyalty events.
Do restaurants need separate content for SMS campaigns?
Not necessarily. Many operators reuse the same promo concepts from email (offer + short description) and adapt them to a shorter SMS format with a clear call to action.