Restaurants

How the Chef and Owner of Brian’s Place Tripled Sales with SMS Marketing

Serving the community of the Sunshine State’s Gulf Coast, Brian’s Place offers contemporary cuisine with Spanish and Italian flair and a full-liquor bar, dual event spaces, catering, and more.

The restaurant began as a deli in Hernando Beach, FL, in 2004 before expanding into a full-service restaurant, which includes celebrity chef Emeril Lagasse among its guests.

in Sales Using EZ Texting

818

Google Business Reviews

4.7

out of 5 Stars on Facebook

The Challenge: Generating Maximum Buzz While Running Day-to-Day Operations

Like other small business owners, chef and owner Brian Alvarez juggles running his restaurant with marketing efforts. Additionally, overseeing a business in a cozy coastal community presents unique challenges with seasonal highs and lows to plan for accordingly.

The Solution

Alvarez created a VIP Text Club for customers to opt-in for exclusive promotions, incentives, and announcements sent directly to mobile devices. To increase foot traffic during the slow season or other light days, the restaurant blasts out deals and information on special events held throughout the year, such as local and national musical entertainment.

Located on the Gulf of Mexico, Brian’s Place offers diners Fresh Catches of the Week, so Alvarez texts delicious images of grouper and other filets. Many restaurants further capitalize on text messaging’s benefits by requesting patrons share reviews on sites like Yelp.

The Results

Sales tripled in some cases by integrating EZ Texting’s SMS and MMS solutions. Blasting MMS picture messaging of delectable entrees brings so many diners in that the Catches of the Week sell out 3X faster with text alerts. Coupon incentives are equally tempting, and Alvarez sees between 40-70 diners use the promotion each week.

Brian’s Place continues to cross-promote the VIP Text Club on the website, encouraging more diners to join. Excellent word of mouth has led to news coverage in the Tampa Bay Times and other local outlets.