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Loyaltyprograms are the secret sauce for keeping customers hooked, whether you're a cozy corner café or a massive restaurant chain. Whether you’re a mom-and-pop diner or a fancy spot downtown, a good loyaltyprogram keeps things fresh, and those repeat visits rolling in.
“This enduring customer loyalty drives the restaurant industry forward, creating clear opportunities for restaurants to enhance the dining experience through strategic limited time offers, efficient delivery and exceptional in-person service," said Samir Zabaneh, CEO of TouchBistro.
Fast food and food delivery gradually began changing that equation. AI Will Improve Customer Loyalty I don’t know believe there is any other industry in which customer loyalty is more important than it is in the restaurant industry – especially now.
If youre one of the thousands of restaurants that added online food delivery in recent years, you might be wondering: is it actually helping my business grow? These metrics give you a clear picture of your delivery performancefrom order volume and customer retention to delivery speed and profitability.
. – Jay Fiske, President, Powerhouse Dynamics Beyond the App: Loyalty and Data-Driven Personalization In 2025, loyalty and digital innovation are set to shape the QSR industry more than ever. A great example of this is McAlister’s Club MCA – designed to elevate the guest experience for loyalty members.
Quick-service restaurants maintain a steady customer satisfaction score of 79 (on a 100 point scale), while full-service restaurants — despite slipping 2 percent to 82 — remain one of the highest-rated industries in the Index, according to the American Customer Satisfaction Index (ACSI®) Restaurant and Food Delivery Study 2025.
Your menu plays a vital role in your business marketing. So, let's dive deeper into the steps on how to turn your menu into a marketing tool. Optimize Menu Design for Customer Behavior A menu is often one of the first things a guest interacts with when entering a restaurant, right after taking in the atmosphere and interior.
Have you noticed how food delivery apps are becoming essential in attracting and retaining diners? Today, more than ever, restaurants are turning to custom-built apps to improve convenience, streamline operations, and foster customer loyalty. The global online food delivery market size was valued at USD 221.65 from 2023 to 2030.
As restaurant brands grow, there is an increasing realization that loyalty and guest experience cannot live in isolated departments anymore. From loyalty retention to order accuracy to app reviews, cross-functional collaboration is what transforms guest expectations into business outcomes. feeling valued, saving time, gaining access).
Customers expect seamless online ordering, loyaltyprograms, and delivery options, and franchise systems need to invest in tech to stay competitive. Customers expect seamless online ordering, loyaltyprograms, and delivery options, and franchise systems need to invest in tech to stay competitive.
This will also allow the operator to concentrate on the operational and menu aspects, ensuring that both customer service and menu innovation remain exceptional and continuously evolving. For chains or larger restaurant groups, digital marketing through email campaigns, targeted ads, and loyaltyprograms can help scale the reach.
"We are seeing many restaurants, chains and independents use price value messages to win new customers and grow visits and loyalty with existing customers. However, it’s not just about slashing prices—combo deals and loyalty promotions are gaining traction as operators focus on adding value, with 9.9-yuan
RMS research shows that premium menu items are met with lower price sensitivity and higher willingness to spend. The key to success for restaurants is delivering on core menu strengths while strategically introducing premium options. Loyaltyprograms and app-exclusive deals. Now, it’s table stakes.
You have more information about your menu, your restaurant, your employees, and your customers than anyone else. The increasing accuracy of AI predictive models will accelerate delivery of high-quality foods while minimizing waste. How important is and do you expect gamification to be for drive-thru purchasing and building loyalty?
Think seasonal menu items, weekend-only bundles, or one-day-only discounts; the urgency motivates guests to take action soon. The best part is these promos don’t require big budgets or deep discounts, but they consistently boost restaurant sales while keeping your menu new and exciting.
Every online order, email sign up, and reward program interaction generates valuable insightsbut if that data just sits there, youre missing a major opportunity. You can also use sales trends to adjust menu pricing and share customer-favorite menu items, helping you get the most out of high-demand dishes.
In 2025, the US online food delivery market is expected to reach $424.9 Customers expect to browse menus, place orders, and pay for their meals with just a few taps of their phones. Whether theyre grabbing takeout on the way home from work or scheduling a delivery for later that day, digital ordering has become the norm.
Understanding your target market is the foundation of making smart decisions for your menu, pricing, and overall guest experience. Without a well-defined target market, restaurants risk wasting resources on strategies that dont connect and menu offerings that dont selltrying to appeal to everyone, but standing out to no one.
If customer retention is a priority consider a digital loyaltyprogram or automated marketing tools. Real-Time Data & Analytics : Track sales trends, top-selling menu items, and peak business hours to make informed decisions. Beyond where customers place orders, how you manage deliveries matters just as much.
Customers expect a smooth experience when theyre placing an orderif they have to pinch and zoom to read your menu or struggle to find the checkout button, theyll probably give up and order from someone else. Next, take a look at your menu. The first step is making sure your website is mobile-friendly.
Mobile ordering has become the preferred method for customers, with 71% saying they would rather use a restaurants branded mobile app over third-party platforms because its more affordable, easy to use, and personalized due to loyaltyprograms. Online ordering and delivery apps. Here is an example of a restaurants branded app.
Build a Customer LoyaltyProgram Were starting here because a loyaltyprogram is one of the most effective ways to build lasting connections with your customers, and its easier to set up than you might think. For example, the ChowNow Rewards Program makes it incredibly simple for restaurants to offer this experience.
The restaurant needs cohesion, from signage to menu design to uniforms. Social media, online reviews, and delivery platforms make digital branding just as important as physical branding. We created a simple menu focused on a brand experience that merged nostalgia with modern efficiency. Having a digital presence is critical.
Photos of your menu items, ambiance, and even happy customers will give potential guests a glimpse of the dining experience you offer. Use it to share updates, special events, or new menu items. Create engaging email newsletters that have a clear purpose, such as promoting an event, offering a discount, or sharing a seasonal menu.
This includes hours of operation (including holiday updates), your website link, phone number, and menu. Build a Rewards Program to Encourage Repeat Visits Getting first-time guests through the door is the hard partbringing them back is much easier. Why rewards programs work. Upload high-quality photos.
A marketing promise that became a product experience and a key driver of customer loyalty, as well as a marketing idea that solved a big operational pain point. Let’s start with loyalty. Most loyaltyprograms are designed by marketing and handed off to operations as an afterthought. The result?
In today's digital landscape, restaurants have become prime targets for cybercriminals who take advantage of potential entry points from point-of-sale systems, online ordering platforms, customer databases, loyaltyprograms and third-party delivery services. Consider the alarming pattern over the past three years.
New concepts, ghost kitchens, and delivery-only brands are popping up constantly, making it harder for any single restaurant to stand out. Whether its a loyaltyprogram, strategic promotions, or email marketing campaigns, great marketing isnt just about attracting new customersits about keeping the ones you already have coming back.
For a long time, third-party delivery apps seemed like the easiest way to get your restaurant online and in front of new customers. That includes taking the order, processing payments, setting up delivery, and even stepping in on customer support. And for many restaurants, they still serve a purpose.
Online Ordering and Delivery Management: With the increasing demand for delivery and takeout services, integrating online ordering capabilities is critical. An organized tech stack also ensures that delivery services are efficiently managed, reducing delays and miscommunications.
Understanding consumer loyalty psychology can enable restaurants to create systems supporting recurring business and assist in overcoming financial difficulties. Implementing Strategic LoyaltyPrograms Well-crafted loyaltyprograms create important data on consumer preferences and behavior in addition to concrete incentives for returning.
A well-crafted email can remind a past guest to stop by again, encourage reservations for a new seasonal menu, or even boost online orders with a limited-time discount. A well-timed email with a special offer, new menu item, or exclusive promotion can be the nudge they need to place another order.
POS systems do more than just process payments they enable restaurants to personalize menus by analyzing customer data. Learn more in our latest post: How POS Systems Enable Menu Personalization. Real-Time Updates : Adjust menus instantly for accuracy and relevance. Improves Operations : Smarter inventory and menu management.
The research found that businesses worldwide – particularly restaurants – intend to experiment more in 2025, especially with customer retention programs like loyalty, as they face the triple challenge of sustained high inflation, shrinking consumer wallets and the need to raise prices across the board.
That includes the ingredients and packaging for your menu items, but not things like rent and payroll. This gives you a sense of how effective your menu pricing is. You can have packed tables, long lines, and strong menu item sales, but if your operating expenses are out of control, you still might be losing money.
If you want to increase order volume for your restaurant, focusing on online takeout and delivery is key. A well-optimized restaurant website makes it easy for guests to explore your menu, customize their meals, and check out in just a few clicks. Use high-quality images and compelling menu descriptions.
With competition increasing and third-party apps controlling customer relationships, building loyalty requires a smarter approach. Without that direct connection, customer loyalty becomes fragile. of diners said theyve chosen one restaurant over another specifically because of a loyaltyprogram.
Adaptability became non-negotiable as takeout, delivery, and digital ordering shifted from secondary revenue streams to essential lifelines." Self-ordering kiosks, QR codes, mobile apps and loyalty reward cards have created more personalized experiences, which increase the likelihood customers will return.
Foot traffic or heat mapping, menu item engagement, or consumer demographics by time of day. In 2025, we anticipate more restaurant brands will develop their own white-labeled digital wallets in partnership with companies like Ansa to provide customers easy-to-use payments with the added benefit of personalized loyalty incentives.
Instead of searching for you on a delivery app, or worse, ordering from a competitor, they can go straight to your preferred ordering system with one tap. For your rewards program , highlight the benefit. For example, “Earn 15% off for every five stickers you earn” is way more powerful than “Join our program.”
62% of diners have been discouraged from ordering takeout or delivery because of a poor restaurant website experience. 77% of diners visit a restaurants website before they dine in or order takeout or delivery. When your website houses your menu, hours, location and ordering, it becomes the single source of truth for your business.
Known for their health-conscious menu and convenient prepared meal options, the restaurant has built a loyal following of locals looking for food that fits into their busy lives. Pricing and menu control were constant issues. It was hard to update your menu through some third-party services.
On the flip side, poor operations can lead to inefficiencies that snowballlike staffing issues that slow down service, supply chain mishaps that throw off the menu, or rising costs that eat into profits. Get creative with menu planningdesigning dishes that use overlapping ingredients can reduce waste and make sourcing easier.
Third-party delivery apps start out as a convenient way to reach new customers, but they always take a significant chunk of your profits. Create a direct-only rewards program: Reward repeat customers for skipping third-party apps with a digital punch card or exclusive discounts. A simple Order today and get free delivery!
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