In Singapore’s fast-paced F&B industry, reaching your customers with the right message at the right time can be the difference between a packed house and a slow day. For years, email marketing has been the go-to method for loyalty engagement—but today, WhatsApp is emerging as a powerful contender.
So which channel delivers better results for F&B businesses? Let’s break it down.
Why More F&B Brands Are Choosing WhatsApp
1. Significantly Higher Open Rates
WhatsApp messages boast open rates of over 90%, while email struggles to break 25–30%. This means more eyes on your promotions, event invites, or new product launches.
2. Real-Time Engagement
Whether you’re pushing a lunch promo or a last-minute reservation slot, WhatsApp delivers instant visibility. Customers receive and act on messages within minutes, making it perfect for time-sensitive offers.
3. Mobile-First and Personal
Almost every Singaporean checks WhatsApp multiple times a day. Messages arrive directly on the home screen—no inbox clutter or spam folders to worry about. The format also feels more personal, increasing engagement.
4. Great for Vouchers & Loyalty Promotions
Sending eVouchers, birthday rewards, or exclusive member discounts via WhatsApp makes redemption easy. Customers just click and go—no need to dig through emails or apps.
When Email Still Shines
1. Long-Form Content & Storytelling
Emails are perfect for more detailed updates like a new seasonal menu, chef’s notes, or an outlet anniversary event. You have more space to build a narrative and showcase visuals.
2. Automation and Segmentation
Email tools allow automated drip campaigns, customer lifecycle journeys, and membership renewals—ideal for maintaining long-term engagement.
3. Official Communications
Invoices, reservation confirmations, newsletters, and account updates are still best suited for email, where they feel more formal and can be archived.
Best Practice: Use Both, Together
Forward-thinking F&B brands in Singapore don’t choose one over the other—they use both channels strategically.
- Use WhatsApp to push flash deals, eVouchers, and member reminders.
- Use Email to tell your brand story, build loyalty, and deliver richer content.
- Connect both through a unified CRM-POS platform like MEGAPOS to sync data, automate engagement, and track performance.
Final Thoughts
If you're only using email to engage your customers, you're leaving money on the table. WhatsApp provides the speed and reach modern diners expect, while email helps nurture deeper, longer-term relationships.
The smartest F&B operators are combining both—powered by integrated POS and CRM tools that make outreach effortless and effective.
Interested in trying to engage with your members through WhatsApp messaging campaigns, click here!





