Increasing a restaurant’s average ticket size doesn’t always require huge marketing budgets or complex loyalty programs. Sometimes, a well-timed prompt to add extra cheese or an enticing dessert can do wonders. Upselling (encouraging customers to purchase a higher-end or larger item than originally intended) and cross-selling (suggesting complementary items) are tried-and-true strategies to boost revenue and enhance the overall dining experience. And SMS marketing is the ideal channel for these subtle nudges—customers receive your suggestions in real time, right in their text inbox, where immediate impulses often convert quickly.
In this blog post, we’ve assembled 25+ SMS scripts specifically designed for upselling and cross-selling within the restaurant context. Whether it’s prompting a meal upgrade for takeout customers, offering a premium beverage to pair with their go-to dish, or suggesting a sweet finish after a dinner order, each script shows how to skillfully insert an extra offer into your messaging without coming across as pushy. By framing these text prompts around genuine value—like additional flavors, cost savings in a bundle, or a special garnish—your diners will feel you’re enhancing their experience, not just pushing a sale.
We’ll also cover best practices, like when to send upsell texts (e.g., mid-order or right after an online cart is filled), how to keep the messaging friendly and helpful, and the importance of personalizing recommendations to match each diner’s known preferences. With a thoughtful approach, every SMS can become an opportunity to delight customers while organically increasing your bottom line.
Why Upselling & Cross-Selling via SMS
- Direct & Timely
A quick text—“Would you like fries with that?” or “Upgrade to a combo for just $2 more?”—can catch customers at a decisive moment in the ordering process. - Higher Ticket Averages
Even small add-ons—like extra toppings, premium drinks, or dessert—significantly raise average spend without requiring new marketing channels. - Personalization
If you have CRM data (e.g., prior orders), you can recommend items that align with customers’ tastes, making suggestions feel relevant and desired rather than random. - Immediate Response
Customers can simply reply “YES” or click a link to finalize the add-on, turning curiosity into conversion in seconds. - Enhancing Experience
By suggesting pairings or dessert offers that genuinely complete the meal, you elevate satisfaction, not just the bill.
Best Practices for Upselling & Cross-Selling via SMS
- Strategic Timing: Send the upsell text mid-order or shortly after they’ve selected items, but before they finalize payment or pick up.
- Be Brief: Upsell messages should be concise—1–2 lines focusing on the upgrade’s benefit (e.g., bigger portion, special flavor).
- Offer Genuine Value: Position it as a convenience or exclusive opportunity: “Add a premium side for only $1 more,” or “Save $2 by bundling dessert.”
- Personalize: If you know they love vegetarian dishes, suggest a new veggie appetizer, not bacon fries.
- Avoid Overwhelm: Stick to one main upsell or cross-sell suggestion per message. Bombarding them with multiple offers can lower the success rate.
25+ Upsell & Cross-Sell SMS Scripts
A. Quick Add-Ons (1–5)
- Simple Side Add-On
- “Hi [Name]! Craving extra fries or onion rings with that burger? Reply YES if you’d like to add a side for just $2 more.”
- Beverage Pair
- “Your meal would pair great with our house lemonade—add it for only $1.50 extra? Reply THIRSTY to confirm.”
- Sauce & Dip
- “How about an extra sauce or dip to spice things up? Our chipotle aioli is a favorite—reply SAUCE if you’d like it added!”
- Dessert Tease
- “Finish strong! Add a mini cheesecake or brownie for just $3 more. Reply SWEET if you’re tempted, [Name].”
- Upgrade from Side to Appetizer
- “Why not upgrade your side salad to a full appetizer sampler for $4 more? Text UPGRADE to finalize.”
B. Premium & Larger Portions
- Upgrade to Premium Protein
- “Hey [Name], want to swap your regular chicken for grilled sirloin on your salad for just $3 extra? Reply YES to go premium.”
- Double Meat
- “Double the protein, double the satisfaction! Upgrade your burrito to double meat for an extra $2—reply DOUBLE if you’re hungry.”
- Bigger Drink Size
- “Quench that thirst: upgrade to a large drink for $1 more. Text THIRST if you’re in.”
- Upsize Pasta
- “Hungry, [Name]? Increase your pasta portion by 30% for $2 extra. Show text at checkout to confirm.”
- Top-Shelf Swap
- “Elevate your cocktail to top-shelf liquor for $2 more, or enjoy it as is? Reply TOP for the premium experience.”
C. Bundles & Combos
- Meal Combo
- “Add a side and drink for just $3 more to make it a meal combo—reply COMBO if you’d like the deal.”
- Family Bundle
- “Feeding more than one? Upgrade your single pizza to a family bundle: 2 pies + wings at a discounted price! Text FAMILY to get it.”
- Starter + Main
- “Pair your burger with our new buffalo cauliflower bites for only $2 more. Reply PAIR to confirm.”
- Dessert + Drink
- “Double delight: get a dessert and coffee for just $5 extra. Perfect sweet finish, reply SWEETDEAL to add.”
- Lunch + Dessert
- “Bundle your sandwich with a mini dessert and save $2. A sweet midday treat—reply BUNDLE if you’d like it.”
D. Personalized Cross-Sells
- Item Preference Recall
- “We recall you love spicy wings. How about trying our new spicy garlic sauce with your order? Reply SPICY to add it for $1.50.”
- Same Category Cross-Sell
- “You’re ordering pasta—interested in our garlic bread or house salad to complement it? Reply BREAD or SALAD to add.”
- Allergy or Dietary
- “Looking to keep it vegetarian? Our grilled veggie skewer pairs perfectly with your main—reply VEGADD to include it.”
- Previous Dessert Lover
- “We know you love chocolate. Our triple-chocolate lava cake is calling your name—add it for $4? Reply CHOC.”
- Drink Pair
- “Ordering steak again? Our Cabernet is the perfect match. Reply WINE to add a glass for $5, or simply ignore to skip.”
E. Timed Upsells
- Lunch Rush
- “It’s almost noon, [Name]. Why not upgrade your small sub to a footlong for just $2 more if you’re extra hungry?”
- Pre-Dinner
- “Dinner time soon? Let us add a side Caesar salad to your entrée for 50% off if you reply YES by 5 PM.”
- Late-Night Snack
- “Finishing your order? How about a dessert or extra fries for those midnight cravings? Text CRAVE if you want to add.”
- Weekend Brunch
- “Brunch upsell: turn your free coffee into a bottomless mimosa for $5. Reply MIMOSA if you’re feeling festive!”
- Closing Soon
- “We close in 30 mins—grab a quick add-on dessert for $2 off. Reply QUICK to finalize. Last call, [Name]!”
- Dine-In Transition
- “About to finish your meal? Extend the fun with a glass of wine or a sweet treat. Mention code LINGER for 10% off your add-on.”
- Loyalty Points
- “Upsell synergy: buy our premium seafood dish and get double loyalty points. Reply DOUBLE if you want to go premium.”
- Trial of New Add-On
- “We launched a new jalapeño topping. Fancy adding some heat to your burger for only $0.50? Reply HOT.”
- Chef’s Suggestion
- “Chef suggests pairing your margherita pizza with fresh basil mozzarella sticks, only $2 more. Text YES to confirm.”
- Dessert Platter
- “Upgrade from a single dessert to our new dessert platter for $5 more—experience variety in every bite.”
Upselling and cross-selling through SMS presents an easy yet potent method to increase average check sizes and delight diners with extra treats or higher-end options. By targeting the right moment—whether mid-order, post-selection, or even at the tail end of a meal—restaurants can propose relevant add-ons that feel more like curated suggestions than pushy sales tactics. The 25+ scripts above serve as a starting point, showing how a few carefully chosen words can encourage customers to expand or upgrade their orders.
Remember to keep these messages short, polite, and value-oriented. Refer to known preferences if you have them, and avoid flooding the diner with multiple upsell offers in a single text. Over time, track which prompts yield the highest success rates—like adding a dessert or upgrading from a basic dish to a premium version—and refine your approach accordingly. With consistent testing and thoughtful data usage, upselling and cross-selling can become a seamless, rewarding part of your restaurant’s SMS marketing strategy, increasing both revenue and customer satisfaction.