With lifestyles growing busier and many diners seeking on-the-go or at-home meal solutions, food delivery and takeout services have become must-have offerings for restaurants. But standing out among a sea of delivery apps and competitor menus can be challenging. That’s where SMS marketing comes in: a convenient, direct way to let your audience know they can enjoy your cooking without stepping foot inside your dining room.
In this blog, we present 30+ SMS examples tailored for promoting your delivery and takeout options. Whether you’re rolling out a brand-new partnership with a local courier, offering free delivery thresholds, or spurring last-minute dinner orders, these messages will help you communicate deals, highlight convenience, and ensure a frictionless order process. We’ll also share best practices—like how to keep your texts short and link directly to your online ordering platform—to minimize friction and boost immediate conversion rates.
By leveraging these SMS prompts, you’ll encourage repeat orders, fill slow periods with pick-up deals, and cater to customers who prefer staying in but still crave restaurant-quality meals. With the right combination of timeliness, personalization, and clear calls-to-action, your restaurant can transform cravings into sales—whether diners choose your standard takeout counter or want their meal delivered straight to their door.
Why SMS for Food Delivery & Takeout Promotion
- Instant Engagement
A text about free delivery or a new meal deal can prompt spontaneous ordering—dinner solved in a few taps. - Convenience Focus
Delivery or takeout thrives on ease and speed; a short SMS linking to your ordering site aligns perfectly with that consumer mindset. - Real-Time Urgency
If you have time-limited deals or flash discounts (“order in the next 2 hours for $2 off delivery”), SMS ensures customers see it fast. - Reduced App Reliance
While aggregator apps are common, direct SMS with your own ordering link helps you retain branding and possibly higher margins. - Personalization
You can remind customers of previous orders, highlight relevant combos, or run targeted deals (like a midday office-lunch special) via direct texts.
Best Practices for Delivery & Takeout SMS
- Direct Ordering Link: Include a short link in each message—cut the friction so they can order in one or two clicks.
- Highlight Key Info: e.g., “No fees on orders $25+,” “Curbside pickup,” or “Delivery within 3 miles.”
- Use Time Windows: “Order by 6 PM for same-day dinner” or “Lunch orders close at 11 AM”—clarify deadlines.
- Offer Incentives: Provide small deals or freebies for first-time or returning takeout/delivery customers to build loyalty.
- Segment: Send lunch deals to known office workers, dinner deals to families, etc., if your CRM data allows it.
30+ SMS Examples for Food Delivery & Takeout
Find below three sets of examples—10 for general delivery, 10 for takeout/pickup, and 10 for specific deals or last-minute pushes.
General Delivery Promos
- “Craving [Restaurant] at home? Order delivery at [link]—use code HOME10 for 10% off your first order!”
- “Avoid the traffic—let us bring dinner to you. Click [short link] to see our new delivery menu. Bon appétit!”
- “It’s pouring outside, but your meal can arrive dry and warm. Order now at [link], $0 delivery fee if you’re within 3 miles.”
- “A quick text to remind you we deliver every day until 10 PM, [Name]. Tap [short link] to place an order.”
- “Reward your busy day: have [Restaurant] delivered. Try our new online system at [link], it’s hassle-free!”
- “[Name], dinner doesn’t have to be a chore. Order our signature pizza with contactless delivery: [short link].”
- “Need lunch at the office? We deliver from 11 AM–2 PM. Pre-order now and skip the midday rush: [link].”
- “Craving wings or burgers? Our driver is ready to bring them to your door. Start your order here: [short link].”
- “Lazy Sunday? We’ve got you. Order your comfort meal to be delivered ASAP at [link]. Netflix + us = perfect combo.”
- “From sizzling steaks to fresh salads, everything on our menu is deliverable. Browse quick [short link], dinner’s sorted!”
Takeout / Pickup
- “Short on time? Order takeout online at [link] and pick up your meal at our curbside. Quick & easy!”
- “Beat the wait line—place your takeout order before leaving work: [short link]. Hot and ready upon arrival!”
- “Local love: pick up your meal in 15 minutes or less. Show text for $2 off your first takeout order, [Name].”
- “[Restaurant] new curbside service: order here [link], text us when you arrive, we’ll bring it to your car!”
- “Takeout Tuesday? Score a free soft drink with any takeout entrée from 12–3 PM. Order link: [short link].”
- “Hey [Name], we see you prefer takeout. Skip the phone call—tap [link], place your order, and we’ll notify you once it’s ready.”
- “Work from home day? Grab a quick lunch to go. 10% off takeout if you order by 11 AM: [short link].”
- “Enjoy the outdoors? Grab our picnic bundle for takeout—perfect for the park. Order now at [link].”
- “Takeout supper sorted: add a side or dessert for half-price if you pick it up yourself. Show text at pickup.”
- “Save on delivery fees: pick up your meal for free at [Restaurant]. 1-click order: [link]. Ready in 20 minutes or less.”
Specific Deals & Last-Minute Pushes
- Free Delivery Threshold
- “Spend $25+ and get free delivery tonight! Code FREEDEL25 at [short link]. Stock up on your favorites, [Name].”
- Same-Day Lunch
- “Order lunch by 11 AM for guaranteed noon delivery. Perfect for an office break—tap [link] to see today’s combos.”
- Dinner Flash Sale
- “Flash sale: $3 off any dinner delivery from 5–7 PM. Use code FLASH3 at checkout, hurry! [short link].”
- Late-Night Munchies
- “Up late? We deliver until midnight. Satisfy cravings with a quick text or at [link]. Sweet dreams with a full belly.”
- Group Order
- “Hosting a watch party? Group delivery deals: free 2L soda for orders over $40. Place it now: [short link].”
- Weekend Comfort
- “Cozy weekend vibes: skip the kitchen, order your comfort meal with contactless drop-off at [link]. We’ve got you covered!”
- Weekly Subscription
- “Dine with us weekly from home—ask about our meal subscription plan for free Sunday deliveries. Info at [short link].”
- Double Points
- “Earn double loyalty points on all delivery orders today. Pizza? Pasta? We’ll bring it to you! [link].”
- Immediate Delivery
- “Craving your go-to burger? We have a driver on standby—reply YES or click [short link] to get it delivered pronto.”
- Last Minute
- “Only 2 hours left for half-price wings delivered to your doorstep. Hurry, order now at [link].”
- Geolocated Offer
- “We see you’re near [Neighborhood]? Our new driver covers that area for a $1 fee—ready to order dinner, [Name]? [link].”
- Holiday Delivery
- “No time for holiday cooking? Let us deliver a festive feast to your door. Order by 2 PM at [short link].”
- Lunch Break Urgency
- “Your lunch break’s not long—make it easy: 15-min pickup or we deliver in 30 mins. Order: [link].”
- Loyalty Tie-In
- “We noticed you love our spicy wings. Get them delivered and earn triple points today only, [Name]. [link].”
- Gourmet Experience at Home
- “Taste our gourmet steak from the comfort of your couch. We’ll deliver piping hot—click [link] to indulge.”
- Discount Code
- “Use code DINEHOME at checkout for $5 off your first delivery. Ready to eat well, [Name]? [link].”
- Catering
- “Hosting a small party? Our takeout catering packages feed 5–10 easily. Order at [link], skip the stress!”
- Recommendation
- “Chef suggests our new burrito for a quick lunch. Delivered in under 30 mins—taste the convenience: [short link].”
- Confirmation Reminder
- “Your typical Tuesday burrito? We can deliver it again today, no hassle. Tap [link] to reorder in seconds!”
- Weekend Special
- “Weekend deal: free dessert on all delivery orders $30+. Sweeten your night, [Name]? Order: [link].”
Food delivery and takeout are cornerstones of modern dining, meeting customers’ need for quick, convenient, and delicious meals. By deploying SMS marketing strategies—like targeted deals, free delivery thresholds, or timely “order now” reminders—you can cut through the noise of aggregator apps, foster direct relationships, and capture spur-of-the-moment orders. The 30+ examples above demonstrate how brevity, urgency, and clarity can turn a casual craving into immediate revenue.
Remember to keep your links front and center, highlighting any special perks (e.g., “no fee above $25,” “free appetizer over $50,” “double loyalty points”), and to segment your audience if possible—office workers might prefer midday deals, families might appreciate weekend combos. Consistency is key: sending weekly or monthly updates about new takeout items or limited-time offers keeps your brand on diners’ radars. Over time, track redemption and response rates, refining your approach to pinpoint the best times and offers for your unique clientele. As you streamline your delivery and takeout messaging, you’ll provide a dining experience that’s both convenient and satisfying, ensuring customers return time and time again—even when they can’t make it to your dining room.