Restaurant Email Marketing Case Study
See how we added an additional 60K in revenue for our client,
Embers Wood Fired Restaurants.
About Embers Wood Fired Restaurants
A San Antonio wood-fired dining destination serving bold comfort food at two convenient locations
Embers Wood Fired Restaurants is a San Antonio dining destination with two convenient locations. The restaurant specializes in casual comfort food cooked over real wood fire. Embers pairs its bold menu with an extensive selection of cocktails, beer, and wine. The concept serves lunch, dinner, game day gatherings, and private events.
- Embers Wood Fire Grill & Bar – 9818 I-10 West, San Antonio, TX 78230.
- Embers Wood Fired Kitchen & Tap – 819 N Loop 1604 E, San Antonio, TX 78232.
The Email Marketing Opportunity
How Embark Marketing helped Embers reconnect with guests and drive measurable restaurant sales
In early 2025, Embers partnered with Embark Marketing to strengthen brand presence across San Antonio. The goal was to revitalize digital engagement and drive measurable in-store and online sales. Embark Marketing implemented a full email marketing strategy through the Toast POS platform. Monthly strategy meetings, content creation, and Meta advertising supported this integrated effort. Campaigns ran consistently from January 1 to December 31, 2025.
Restaurant Email Marketing Strategy Using Toast POS
Leveraging customer data to deliver targeted, trackable campaigns to over 7,000 subscribers
Embers currently has 7,333 email subscribers across both locations. Toast POS tracks the full customer journey, including visit frequency, spending habits, and prior campaign engagement. This data informed every campaign decision made throughout the year. Two core tactics were deployed to maximize guest retention and drive revenue.
The Email Marketing Opportunity
How Embark Marketing helped Embers reconnect with guests and drive measurable restaurant sales
In early 2025, Embers partnered with Embark Marketing to strengthen brand presence across San Antonio. The goal was to revitalize digital engagement and drive measurable in-store and online sales. Embark Marketing implemented a full email marketing strategy through the Toast POS platform. Monthly strategy meetings, content creation, and Meta advertising supported this integrated effort. Campaigns ran consistently from January 1 to December 31, 2025.
Restaurant Email Marketing Strategy Using Toast POS
Leveraging customer data to deliver targeted, trackable campaigns to over 7,000 subscribers
Embers currently has 7,333 email subscribers across both locations. Toast POS tracks the full customer journey, including visit frequency, spending habits, and prior campaign engagement. This data informed every campaign decision made throughout the year.
Two core tactics were deployed to maximize guest retention and drive revenue.
Tactic 1: Monthly Email Blast Campaigns
Consistent monthly touchpoints that kept guests informed, engaged, and coming through the door
One email blast was sent per month during the first week of each month. Each email highlighted current promotions, seasonal menu features, and upcoming events. Embark Marketing built a custom branded template using the Embers color palette and logo. Every email included a bold subject line, an eye-catching image, and a clear call-to-action button. Calls to action directed guests to order online, view the menu, or learn about events. Tracked links allowed Embark Marketing to attribute sales directly to each campaign.
Tactic 1: Monthly Email Blast Campaigns
Consistent monthly touchpoints that kept guests informed, engaged, and coming through the door
One email blast was sent per month during the first week of each month. Each email highlighted current promotions, seasonal menu features, and upcoming events. Embark Marketing built a custom branded template using the Embers color palette and logo. Every email included a bold subject line, an eye-catching image, and a clear call-to-action button. Calls to action directed guests to order online, view the menu, or learn about events. Tracked links allowed Embark Marketing to attribute sales directly to each campaign.
Tactic 2: Automated Email Workflows
Behavior-triggered automations that reached the right guests at exactly the right moment
Toast POS automation features were used to send targeted, behavior-triggered emails. Three automation workflows were configured and deployed throughout the year. Each automation used the Embers brand template with a concise message and a clear call-to-action.
Automation 1: Welcome New Guests
A warm introduction that turns new subscribers into first-time diners
This automation is triggered immediately when a new guest joins the email list. The email delivers a warm welcome and introduces the Embers brand to first-time subscribers. Guests are invited to explore the menu or place their first online order right away.
Automation 2: Win-Back Guests Who Have Not Ordered in 30 Days
A re-engagement email designed to bring lapsed guests back to the table
This re-engagement automation targets guests who have not ordered in 30 or more days. The email reminds past guests about Embers and encourages a return visit. Calls to action include links to the full menu and an online ordering portal.
Automation 3: Loyalty Program Sign-Up Invitation
Turning repeat visitors into loyal rewards members with a single email
This automation invites active guests to join the Embers Rewards Program. Guests earn 1 point for every $1.50 spent and receive a $5 discount for every 50 points redeemed. The email drives program enrollment and builds long-term guest loyalty.
Tactic 2: Automated Email Workflows
Behavior-triggered automations that reached the right guests at exactly the right moment
Toast POS automation features were used to send targeted, behavior-triggered emails. Three automation workflows were configured and deployed throughout the year. Each automation used the Embers brand template with a concise message and a clear call-to-action.
Automation 1: Welcome New Guests
A warm introduction that turns new subscribers into first-time diners
This automation is triggered immediately when a new guest joins the email list. The email delivers a warm welcome and introduces the Embers brand to first-time subscribers. Guests are invited to explore the menu or place their first online order right away.
Automation 2: Win-Back Guests Who Have Not Ordered in 30 Days
A re-engagement email designed to bring lapsed guests back to the table
This re-engagement automation targets guests who have not ordered in 30 or more days. The email reminds past guests about Embers and encourages a return visit. Calls to action include links to the full menu and an online ordering portal.
Automation 3: Loyalty Program Sign-Up Invitation
Turning repeat visitors into loyal rewards members with a single email
This automation invites active guests to join the Embers Rewards Program. Guests earn 1 point for every $1.50 spent and receive a $5 discount for every 50 points redeemed. The email drives program enrollment and builds long-term guest loyalty.
Monthly Email Campaign Results: March to December 2025
A month-by-month look at every campaign, its theme, and the tracked sales it generated
The following breakdown covers each campaign sent throughout the year, the promotional theme, and the tracked sales generated from each send.
March 2025: March Madness and Lenten Menu Promotions
Seasonal timing and sports culture drove strong early-year campaign performance
The March campaign highlighted March Madness deals and Lent-friendly menu options at Embers. The goal was to drive in-store traffic during a high-engagement seasonal window. The email featured promotions designed for game-day dining and family visits. This campaign generated $5,797 in tracked sales.
April 2025: Buy One, Get One 50% Off Restaurant Promotion
A value-driven offer that motivated guests to visit and bring someone with them
The April campaign promoted a Buy One, Get One 50% Off dining offer at both locations. Bold food imagery and strong value messaging encouraged guests to dine in. This limited-time offer successfully increased guest visits and brand engagement. The April campaign generated $6,245 in tracked sales.
May 2025: Mother's Day Dining and Seasonal Menu Feature
Pairing a beloved holiday with a limited-time dish created urgency and drove reservations
The May campaign tied a seasonal menu feature to the Mother’s Day holiday. The featured item was the Grilled Watermelon and Prosciutto Salad. Pairing a holiday theme with a limited-time dish created urgency and drove reservations. This campaign generated $6,401 in tracked sales.
June 2025: New Menu Items and Restaurant Week
Fresh offerings and a community dining event kept guests curious and coming back
The June campaign promoted new menu additions alongside a Restaurant Week feature. Fresh dishes and a timely community event helped drive both awareness and foot traffic. Vibrant food photography anchored the email and encouraged guests to visit. The June campaign generated $6,019 in tracked sales.
July 2025: Summer Special Offers
Two targeted summer promotions gave guests a compelling reason to dine out
The July campaign spotlighted two special dining offers at Embers. Each offer was presented with engaging visuals and a concise call-to-action. The campaign reached the full subscriber list and generated $5,113 in tracked sales.
August 2025: Culinaria Restaurant Week and Happy Hour Specials
A community dining event combined with daily happy hour deals drove consistent traffic
The August campaign combined Culinaria Restaurant Week with Embers Happy Hour promotions. Limited-time drink and appetizer specials were featured prominently in the email design. Urgency-driven copy and food photography encouraged visits to both locations. The August campaign generated $4,832 in tracked sales.
September 2025: Daily Specials and Football Season Promotions
Aligning with football culture gave Embers a relevant reason to reach guests every week
The September campaign aligned with football season to drive weekday and weekend traffic. New daily specials were highlighted alongside football-themed dining promotions. The campaign encouraged guests to watch games and enjoy food and drink specials at Embers. The September campaign generated $4,988 in tracked sales.
October 2025: Two-Campaign Month
A bonus blast focused on private events proved that a second send can significantly boost monthly revenue
October featured two email blasts at the request of Embers leadership. The first email promoted Happy Hour, weekly specials, and football game promotions. The second email focused on private event bookings, new menu items, and a parking lot update. The first blast generated $3,045 in tracked sales. The second generated $5,482 in tracked sales.
November 2025: Seasonal Cocktails, New Dessert, and Holiday Hours
Limited-time holiday offerings and updated hours gave guests everything they needed to plan a visit
The November campaign highlighted $8 Martinis and a new Pumpkin Cheesecake dessert. Updated holiday hours and new daily specials were also featured in the email. The campaign successfully drove seasonal engagement and in-store traffic. The November campaign generated $5,167 in tracked sales.
December 2025: Holiday BOGO Deal and Seasonal Dessert Feature
December 2025: Holiday BOGO Deal and Seasonal Dessert Feature
A holiday deal and a festive new dessert closed out the year with the strongest single-campaign performance
The December campaign launched a Buy One, Get One holiday deal for the holiday season. New menu items and the Peppermint Cheesecake dessert were showcased in the design. Updated holiday hours were included to help guests plan their visit. Sent on December 1, 2025, this campaign generated $6,719 in tracked sales.
Revenue by Month
2025 Annual Email Marketing Results at a Glance
The numbers that prove a consistent email strategy delivers real, trackable restaurant revenue
- Total tracked sales generated: $59,809
- Total email subscribers: 7,333
- Total campaigns sent: 13
- Email automation workflows deployed: 3
2025 Annual Email Marketing Results at a Glance
The numbers that prove a consistent email strategy delivers real, trackable restaurant revenue
- Total tracked sales generated: $59,809
- Total email subscribers: 7,333
- Total campaigns sent: 13
- Email automation workflows deployed: 3
Key Takeaways for Restaurant Email Marketing
What the Embers 2025 campaign teaches us about building a smarter restaurant marketing strategy
The 2025 Embers email marketing campaign generated $59,809 in trackable sales over 12 months. These results demonstrate the measurable impact of consistent, brand-aligned email communication. Using Toast POS to integrate marketing with point-of-sale data provided a clear picture of campaign ROI.
Tracking the Customer Journey Drives Better Results
Data-informed campaigns outperform generic blasts by personalizing the guest experience
Analyzing how guests interact with email campaigns reveals what content resonates most. Businesses can refine messaging, tailor offers, and personalize communication over time. This data-driven approach increases guest engagement and encourages repeat restaurant visits.
Monthly Emails Are a Powerful Revenue Tool for Restaurants
A simple send-once-a-month strategy generated nearly $60,000 in attributable sales in one year
Monthly email campaigns communicate promotions and drive in-store and online sales directly. Integrating email marketing with a POS system enables full campaign attribution and reporting. Automated follow-ups strengthen guest loyalty between monthly send cycles. This approach builds a stronger connection between the brand and its existing guest base.
Key Takeaways for Restaurant Email Marketing
What the Embers 2025 campaign teaches us about building a smarter restaurant marketing strategy
The 2025 Embers email marketing campaign generated $59,809 in trackable sales over 12 months. These results demonstrate the measurable impact of consistent, brand-aligned email communication. Using Toast POS to integrate marketing with point-of-sale data provided a clear picture of campaign ROI.
Tracking the Customer Journey Drives Better Results
Data-informed campaigns outperform generic blasts by personalizing the guest experience
Analyzing how guests interact with email campaigns reveals what content resonates most. Businesses can refine messaging, tailor offers, and personalize communication over time. This data-driven approach increases guest engagement and encourages repeat restaurant visits.
Monthly Emails Are a Powerful Revenue Tool for Restaurants
A simple send-once-a-month strategy generated nearly $60,000 in attributable sales in one year
Monthly email campaigns communicate promotions and drive in-store and online sales directly. Integrating email marketing with a POS system enables full campaign attribution and reporting. Automated follow-ups strengthen guest loyalty between monthly send cycles. This approach builds a stronger connection between the brand and its existing guest base.
Ready to Grow Your Restaurant With Email Marketing?
Embark Marketing helps restaurants across the US build smarter digital strategies that drive real, measurable results
The Embers case study is just one example of what a focused, consistent digital marketing strategy can accomplish. In 12 months, a well-executed email program generated nearly $60,000 in tracked restaurant sales. That kind of return does not happen by accident. It happens when the right message reaches the right guest at the right time, and when every campaign is built around your brand, your guests, and your goals. Check out our previous email marketing case study for our clients, Rosarios and Smashin Crab. View our case study on segmentation targeting with Embers.
Embark Marketing specializes in digital marketing for restaurants. We understand the unique challenges that come with running a food and beverage business in a competitive local market. We know how to turn your existing guest list into a revenue-generating asset. We know how to make your brand stand out online and keep guests coming back through the door.
Let’s Build Something Together
Your restaurant deserves a marketing partner who understands the industry and knows how to deliver results. Whether you are looking to launch your first email campaign, grow your social media presence, or build a complete digital marketing strategy from the ground up, Embark Marketing is ready to help.
Reach out today to learn how Embark Marketing can help your restaurant attract new guests, retain loyal ones, and grow your revenue through smart, strategic digital marketing.
