10 Creative Takeaway Marketing Ideas That Don't Involve Expensive Flyers

Phil Ingram
4 days ago
3 min read

The old way of marketing a takeaway was simple: print thousands of flyers and hope for the best. But in a digital world, that approach is expensive, wasteful, and increasingly ineffective. Your customers aren't looking at a flyer stuck to their fridge; they're looking at their phones.

So, how do you capture their attention, build loyalty, and drive orders without breaking the bank? Here are 10 creative, low-cost marketing ideas that work for the modern takeaway.

10 Creative Takeaway Marketing Ideas

1. Run a Hyper-Local Social Media Contest

Forget trying to reach everyone. Focus on your immediate delivery area. Run a simple contest on Instagram or Facebook: "WIN DINNER ON US! Tag a local friend you'd share this with to enter. Bonus entry if you tell us your favourite dish!" This creates genuine local engagement and introduces your brand to new potential customers through their friends.

2. Partner With a Non-Competing Neighbour

Go to the local pub, bar, or bottle shop. Offer them a stack of cards for "Free Fries with Your First Online Order." In return, you'll display their flyers or recommend them to your customers. It’s a zero-cost way to tap directly into their loyal, local customer base.

3. Create a "Secret" Off-Menu Item

Use your social channels to create intrigue. Announce a "secret" menu item—a special burger, a unique pizza topping—that is only available for a limited time and can only be ordered by people who know to ask for it. It makes your followers feel like insiders and gives them a compelling reason to order now.

4. The "Instagrammable" Packaging Sticker

You don't need to redesign all your packaging. Just create one eye-catching, shareable sticker with a fun phrase or your logo and put it on every bag and box. Encourage user-generated content by running a monthly prize draw for the best photo of your food that gets posted online.

5. Get Friendly With Local Food Bloggers (the Small Ones!)

Forget the big-time influencers. Find the local food enthusiast with 2,000 engaged followers who lives in your neighbourhood. Send them a direct message, offer them a free meal to try, and just ask for their honest opinion. A genuine post from a trusted local voice is worth more than a dozen ads.

6. The "Bad Weather" Bonus

Is it pouring with rain on a Tuesday night? This is your moment. Post on social media: "It's miserable out there! Let us do the cooking. All orders tonight get a free portion of our famous onion rings." You're tapping into a real-time need with a timely, relevant offer.

7. Create a "Lunch for the Office" Bundle Deal

Target local businesses and offices directly. Create a simple, high-value bundle deal for 4-6 people and promote it on local Facebook groups and LinkedIn. One great office lunch order can lead to a dozen new regular customers.

8. Use Your Google Business Profile to Its Fullest

This is your most important piece of digital real estate, and it's free. Make sure your menu is up to date, your opening hours are correct, and you have high-quality photos. Crucially, encourage happy customers to leave reviews—positive Google reviews are the number one driver of new customer trust.

9. Host a "Community Hero" Giveaway

Once a month, ask your followers to nominate a local "hero"—a teacher, a nurse, a volunteer. Choose one at random and deliver a free meal for them and their family. It's a heartwarming piece of content that generates immense goodwill and firmly positions your business as a pillar of the local community.

10. Ditch the Paper and Go Digital with STAMP by meed

The biggest problem with paper stamp cards is that they get lost, forgotten, and tell you nothing about your customers. STAMP by meed is the modern, effortless solution. It's a simple, app-free digital stamp card that lives on your customers' phones.

It's Always There: Your customers can't lose it, meaning they'll actually fill it up and claim their reward, building a real habit.
It's Effortless: Customers join with a quick QR scan. There is no app to download, no friction.
It Builds a Real Connection: For the first time, you have a direct line to your regulars. You can see who your best customers are and even send them a surprise "thank you" voucher. It's the perfect, modern tool to turn first-time buyers into lifelong fans.