How soon should the welcome email arrive?

Within five minutes of signup, while they still expect something. The thank-you goes within 24 hours of a first visit — check your POS, not your inbox, because the visit has to have actually happened.

Should the welcome email include a discount?

No, not on the first one. A discount at signup trains people to wait for coupons. A drink on the first visit gets you a second visit instead, which is the thing you actually want.

Welcome Email Generator for Restaurants (Free)

Step one — what are you emailing about?

A guest's birthday A new guest who just signed up A new menu A slow week that needs filling A guest who has not come back

Step two — your details

Restaurant name Guest's first name (optional)

Your details stay in your browser. Nothing is sent to us and we cannot see it.

Step three — copy and send

Option 1 Subject

Welcome to [Restaurant Name] — your first drink's on us

Hi [First Name], Thanks for joining us. As a welcome, your first glass is on the house — just show this email when you order. It expires on [date], so don't let it get lost in your inbox. Find us: [link] · [address] · [hours] — [Restaurant Name]

Option 2 Subject

Good to have you, [First Name]

Hi [First Name], Thanks for dining with us on [date]. We hope the [signature dish] was the right call. If you liked it, we'd love to see you back next week — [First Name], we kept your usual on file, and there's a table on [date] that we think you'd like. Book it: [link] — [Restaurant Name], [neighborhood]

Option 3 Subject

Still on the list for [Restaurant Name]?

Hi [First Name], You signed up with us a few days ago but we haven't seen you yet. No hard feelings — maybe the timing wasn't right. If you want to try us, here's a free dessert for your first visit. If now isn't the moment, tell us and we'll stop emailing you, and we'll be here when it is. Claim it: [link] — [Restaurant Name]

When to send it

Timing	Best for	Watch out
Within 5 minutes of signup	The signup bonus.	Do not bury the link under three paragraphs.
Within 24 hours of a first visit	The thank-you, and the reason to come again.	Check the POS, not the inbox — the visit has to have happened.
Day 3–5 if they never booked	The rescue. Offers the thing that is not about money.	If they never booked, do not assume they want dinner.

The offer that works

For the signup email, a drink or a small appetizer is enough — the point is a second visit, not to win the first one. For the rescue email, always include a "tell us to stop emailing you" link.

What to change before you send

The generator fills in the placeholders and hands you a complete email. What it cannot do is know your restaurant — so change these two things before you send:

1. The offer. "A slice on us" is a placeholder idea. Make it the thing you actually give: a dessert, a drink, a no-fee reservation, double points. Do not send a discount code.

2. The link. Every template has a reservation link. It must go to your reservation page, not your homepage.

Everything else — the subject line, the length, the sign-off — send as it is the first time. You are testing the template, not your copywriting.