It’s Time to Take Advantage of Text Message Services

Sponsor: Pizza Cloud

Alex Damani, owner of Rosati’s Pizza in Florida, faced significant challenges connecting and retaining customers. Despite offering authentic Chicago-style pizza and a menu filled with fan favorites, the business struggled with communications efforts that didn’t truly resonate with its local customer base.

“We were previously using postal tools like EDDM (Every Door Direct Mail), but these are becoming more expensive as results are decreasing,” says Damani. “For example, when we send out 1,500 menus a week, we only get about ten responses. This equates to almost $40 per customer, which is quite costly.”

The increasing cost of outdated strategies has made it increasingly difficult to maintain customer engagement. Damani now works with PizzaCloud to strengthen customer relationships and increase loyalty.

PizzaCloud offers a comprehensive communications solution designed specifically for quick service restaurants of all types. Designed to improve customer engagement and streamline operations, the mobile messaging service allows pizzeria owners to send automated text messages for order confirmations, promotions and loyalty rewards.

Additional features include bespoke messaging and targeted messaging that improve customer experience. The platform integrates with POS systems, allowing pizzerias to optimize their marketing efforts, reduce missed calls, and keep customers informed in real time.

“We have been using PizzaCloud for about a month,” says Damani. “Almost everyone is checking their text messages, so the first month’s results look pretty promising.” Regular customers who are already in Rosati’s POS system are automatically uploaded to PizzaCloud’s database, ensuring that text messages reach the appropriate target audience.

For example, Damani sends out text messages around 10 a.m. in the morning promoting lunch specials like a slice and soda. Weekend deals are also a big hit when communicating via text. “On Fridays and Saturdays, we offer 10 percent off wings on orders over $20,” says Damani. “It’s a simple thing but it gets much better results. We also noticed new customers coming in and saying things like, ‘My neighbor showed me Rosati’s message.’ “Surprisingly, we gain new customers through word of mouth.”

Rosati splits the database, sending 500-600 messages over a six-day period. They saw their weekly sales for the lunch special (a jumbo slice and soda for $6) jump from 100 slices per week to over 175 slices in the week they sent the message. “Last weekend, we sent out 5,500 messages promoting a 20 percent back-to-school special on Friday, Saturday and Sunday and received responses from approximately 62 customers who called with the code,” says Damani. “The results were solid.”

PizzaCloud is the perfect tool to re-engage customers. “We have a list of 60-day and 90-day inactive customers in our database,” says Damani. “We can use these lists and send strong offers to bring these customers back to the restaurant. There are many different tools and creative strategies you can use with this text messaging platform.”

Targeted messaging tools like PizzaCloud offer pizzerias the opportunity to increase communication, customer satisfaction and loyalty. This cost-effective strategy allows business owners to maintain strong customer relationships while ensuring steady business growth.

To learn more about PizzaCloud, visit: pizzacloud.net

By Abby Winterburn