Food delivery has become a big part of how restaurants do business today. More and more customers are choosing to order from their phones instead of dining in. This shift means restaurants need to find new ways to reach people who order online - and keep them coming back.

The problem is, there's a lot of competition. On delivery apps, your restaurant is listed right next to dozens of others. Getting someone to choose your food - and not just once, but regularly - takes more than just good food. You need smart, attractive offers that speak directly to delivery customers.

Promotions can help a lot. Whether it's a discount, a special bundle, or a loyalty reward, the right offer can catch someone's attention and make them more likely to order. But it's important to use promotions that work well for delivery. What works for dine-in customers doesn't always work for people ordering from home.

In this article, we'll walk through the best types of restaurant promotions for delivery. These ideas are simple to use, based on what customers really respond to, and built to help you grow your delivery sales over time.

Before you start running any promotions, it's important to understand who your delivery customers are. Not all customers behave the same way. Some people order once and never come back. Others might order weekly, but only during lunch hours. Some prefer family meals, while others are just looking for a quick solo dinner. If you treat all of them the same, your promotions might miss the mark.

The key is to leverage data to spot patterns in your customers' delivery habits. If you're using a third-party delivery app, many of them offer built-in analytics tools. These can show you how often people order, what times they tend to buy, what items are most popular, and what the average spend looks like. If you're using your own online ordering system, your POS system may offer similar reports.

Once you have this information, try to group your customers into a few simple categories. For example -

1. First-time customers who need a reason to try you again
2. Frequent buyers who respond well to loyalty rewards
3. High spenders who might enjoy premium or add-on offers
4. Occasional users who need a nudge to come back more often

Understanding these groups helps you create offers that feel more personal and useful. A blanket 10% discount might appeal to first-timers, but someone who orders every week might care more about earning a free item after a certain number of orders.

This approach doesn't need to be complicated. Even just noticing when your slowest delivery days are can help you plan promotions to boost sales during those times. Or you might find that certain neighborhoods order more often than others - giving you a chance to target local ads or delivery-only deals in those areas.

By using the data you already have, you can create smarter, more targeted promotions that actually connect with the people ordering from you. This not only helps bring in more orders, but also makes your marketing budget work harder, giving you better results with less waste.

Getting a new customer to place their first delivery order is often the hardest step. Many people stick to what they know, especially when ordering food online. They might scroll past your restaurant simply because they've never tried it before. That's where time-limited discounts come in - they give people a reason to take a chance on your food right now, not later.

A well-timed offer like 15% off your first delivery or $5 off orders over $25 for new customers can help reduce hesitation. It adds urgency, which is key - people are more likely to act when they feel they might miss out. Without that time limit, many will simply plan to try your food someday and never follow through.

You don't need to make the discount huge. The goal isn't to lose money, but to lower the risk for the customer. Once they try your food and have a good experience, you're in a better position to earn their future orders at full price.

You can promote these offers through delivery apps, your website, email newsletters, social media, or even a flyer inside dine-in or takeout bags. If you're using a delivery platform, they often have options to tag your offer for new users or limited time, making it more visible.

It's also helpful to track how these offers perform. If you see a spike in first-time orders after running a promotion, you'll know it's working. Over time, you can test different versions - like changing the discount amount or order minimum - to see what brings in the best results without cutting too far into your profit.

Remember, your first goal is to get a customer through the door (virtually). After that, your food and service can speak for themselves. A small, short-term discount can be the push someone needs to give your restaurant a try - and possibly turn into a regular.

Delivery customers often look for meals that are easy to order, good value for the price, and satisfying from start to finish. That's why bundle deals are one of the most effective ways to increase order size and keep people happy. A well-crafted bundle removes the guesswork from ordering and gives customers a full meal that feels like a better deal than ordering each item separately.

A good delivery bundle includes a main dish, one or two sides, and a drink or dessert. For example, a Family Night Special with two entrees, an appetizer, and a dessert works great for groups. A Lunch Combo with a sandwich, fries, and a drink is perfect for solo customers. These bundles make it easy for people to get everything they need with one click - and that convenience can lead to more frequent orders.

It's also smart to think about how the food travels. Choose menu items that hold up well during delivery. Nobody wants soggy fries or a spilled drink when their order arrives. Make sure the packaging supports the bundle - sturdy containers, secure lids, and smart placement in the delivery bag all matter.

Bundle deals also give you a chance to introduce customers to new or less popular menu items. By including something like a seasonal side dish or a chef's special in the bundle, you can increase exposure without pushing it as a standalone item. Over time, this can help broaden interest in your menu.

To make your bundle deals more attractive, show the value clearly. Instead of just listing items, say something like Save $5 when you order the Combo Meal or Includes drink and dessert - no extra charge. The clearer the benefit, the more likely a customer is to add it to their cart.

Once a customer has placed their first order, your next goal is to keep them coming back. That's where loyalty rewards come in. A well-designed loyalty program gives people a reason to stick with your restaurant instead of switching to a competitor the next time they're hungry. When it comes to delivery customers, it's especially important to reward repeat orders, since they're not experiencing your food and service in person.

You don't need a complex system. Start with something simple, like a buy 5 delivery meals, get 1 free offer or points that build with every order. If you use your own online ordering system, you might already have tools to track repeat customers and automate rewards. Many third-party delivery apps also let you create loyalty offers directly on the platform.

The key is to make the rewards feel worth it - and to remind customers they're working toward something. You can include messages like You're just 2 orders away from a free dessert in email receipts or app notifications. This kind of message helps build a sense of progress and keeps your restaurant top of mind.

Customer loyalty isn't just about freebies - it's about building a habit. When people know they'll earn something extra by ordering from you again, they're more likely to skip browsing and head straight to your menu. Over time, these small nudges can lead to more frequent orders and higher lifetime value per customer.

Also, consider creating exclusive delivery-only rewards. For example, offer free delivery after 3 orders in a month, or a surprise treat on their fifth order. These little extras make your regulars feel appreciated and turn an ordinary delivery into something special.

Don't forget to track how your loyalty rewards are performing. Are return customers increasing? Are people redeeming their rewards? If not, it might be time to adjust the offer or promote it more clearly. The goal is to make your customers feel seen, valued, and motivated to return.

When done right, loyalty rewards can turn casual delivery buyers into long-term fans - and that's a win for your bottom line.

Delivery fees can be one of the biggest reasons customers hesitate to place an order. Even a small fee can turn someone away - especially if a competitor offers free or cheaper delivery. That's why offering free or discounted delivery, when done strategically, can be a powerful way to boost orders and improve customer satisfaction.

The key is to use these offers with a plan. Rather than offering free delivery all the time (which can quickly eat into your profit), consider using it during slower days or off-peak hours. For example, Free Delivery on Tuesdays or $1 Delivery from 25 PM can help drive orders when your kitchen is quieter.

Another smart approach is to set a minimum order amount to qualify. Free delivery on orders over $25 not only reduces your delivery cost per transaction, but also encourages customers to add an extra item or two to hit the threshold. This increases your average ticket size while keeping your offer sustainable.

You can also use discounted delivery to target specific groups - like first-time customers, repeat buyers, or those in certain neighborhoods. If your delivery data shows you get fewer orders from a particular area, a limited-time free delivery offer might help you attract more attention there.

Be sure to promote these offers clearly on all the channels your customers use- your website, delivery apps, social media, and email. Highlight the savings and keep the language simple, like Order today and we'll cover your delivery fee.

Tracking is important, too. Keep an eye on whether orders actually increase when you run these deals, and see how it impacts your profits. Over time, you'll learn which types of offers work best for your audience - and when.

In the end, free or discounted delivery is about removing one more barrier between your food and your customer. When used wisely, it can tip the scale in your favor and help your restaurant stand out in a crowded delivery market.

When customers order delivery, they're often focused on convenience - they want to get everything they need in one go. This presents a perfect opportunity to suggest add-ons or upgrades that can boost your order size without adding much extra cost. With the right promotions, you can encourage customers to add drinks, desserts, sides, or even premium versions of their chosen meals.

The key is to keep your upsell offers relevant and timely. For example, if someone adds a burger to their cart, suggest fries and a drink as a combo for a small discount. If they're ordering a family meal, offer a large dessert or appetizer that serves multiple people. These small nudges feel helpful rather than pushy, especially when they're framed as deals or bonuses.

You can also create limited-time offers on high-margin add-ons. Think along the lines of Add a slice of cheesecake for just $2 today or Upgrade to a large drink for free. These small incentives can increase your average order value with minimal impact on your costs.

The best time to present these offers is during the ordering process - right before checkout. Whether you're using your own system or a third-party delivery app, make sure your upsell messages are easy to see, simple to accept, and not overwhelming. Too many options can backfire, so keep it focused on one or two clear choices.

Using data can help here, too. If you notice that most customers ordering a specific meal also tend to add a particular side, you can promote that pairing more actively. Over time, you can test which combinations and messages get the best results.

Don't forget to promote these upsells in your marketing, too. Social media posts or email campaigns that highlight Delivery Add-On Deals can spark interest before customers even visit your menu.

Running a promotion is only part of the work - what matters just as much is how it performs. Without checking the results, it's hard to know whether your discounts, bundles, or loyalty offers are actually helping your delivery business. That's why it's essential to track, measure, and refine your promotions on a regular basis.

Start by setting clear goals for each promotion. Are you trying to attract new customers? Increase order size? Bring back past buyers? Having a goal makes it easier to judge success. For example, if you run a 10% off first delivery deal, track how many first-time orders came in during that period - and how many of those customers returned.

Use the tools available through your online ordering system or delivery app. Most platforms offer basic analytics like order volume, average ticket size, and customer return rates. If you run your own system, you may have access to even more detailed data, such as customer location or popular item combinations.

Look for patterns. Did a particular day-of-week offer perform better than others? Did one type of bundle lead to larger average orders? Use this information to adjust your future promotions. You might find that even small changes - like increasing the minimum order amount for a free delivery deal - can improve your profit margin without hurting customer response.

It's also helpful to get direct feedback. Ask delivery customers if they noticed your promotion and whether it influenced their decision to order. A quick survey link in the order confirmation email can offer valuable insights that raw numbers don't always show.

The most successful restaurants treat marketing like an ongoing process. Promotions shouldn't be set-it-and-forget-it. Instead, think of them as experiments. Test different offers, analyze the results, and build on what works.

By continuously refining your promotion strategy, you'll not only attract more delivery customers - you'll also spend your marketing budget more wisely and improve long-term customer satisfaction.