What Are Restaurant Reward Programs?

A restaurant reward program is one simple way to thank your regular guests. When a guest comes in or buys something, they earn something. It could be points, a stamp, or a credit. They can redeem this later for a free item or a discount.

The primary goal is to make sure the customer in a coffee shop gets nine coffees, and the tenth one is free. It’s often done with points in full-service restaurants. A guest earns a set amount for each amount they spend, and when they reach a goal, they receive a free appetizer or dessert. This totally depends on what deal your restaurant provides.

For restaurants, this works because bringing back a customer you already have costs far less than finding a new one. Regular ones also tend to spend more and tell their friends about the deals, which brings in new customers.

There are a few things you need to think about before you start. Keep the rules simple, because customers walk away from anything confusing. Make sure the reward is worth earning but still leaves you a fair margin. And choose a setup that works with your POS system, so your staff doesn’t have to track points manually.

Lastly, see how this reward program works for your restaurant. If few guests sign up, the offer or the sign-up process probably needs to improve.