The Best Restaurant Loyalty Program Ideas of 2025

For many businesses, restaurant loyalty programs have always been a simple, transactional relationship: customers give you their business, and you give them a reward. But was that ever truly loyalty, or just a good deal?

The concept of a reward system, rooted in B.F. Skinner’s operant conditioning suggests that behavior can be strengthened through reinforcement.

But, at some point a purely transactional relationship hits a wall.  While a good deal might bring a customer back once or twice, it doesn't build the emotional connection that defines true loyalty. 

As the market evolves, it is becoming clear that a truly successful loyalty program must go beyond a simple, predictable exchange. It should foster an emotional connection that makes customers feel valued, not just incentivized.

This article will walk you through real-life examples of successful loyalty programs and show you how to start your own using smart and simple tools like a restaurant order management system.

Is a restaurant loyalty program really necessary?

To understand the impact of a loyalty program as one of the restaurant marketing ideas you can implement, consider this data from reliable sources:

• According to PYMNTS, a payments industry research firm, their “Connected Dining” March report surveyed 1,800 U.S. consumers and showed 51% use a restaurant loyalty program.

• Research from Tronic, a digital loyalty platform, shows that well-implemented loyalty programs deliver a 2x–5x ROI, generating $2–$5 for every $1 spent and often paying for themselves within a year, and often achieving full payback in less than a year

• According to Loyaltymaster, a digital rewards platform, businesses earn 12–18% more revenue from loyalty members. Additionally,  79% of customers are more likely to recommend restaurants with strong programs.

• Data from Restroworks, a restaurant management platform, shows that over 90% of restaurants now offer a rewards program, and these loyal customers contribute nearly half of the restaurant’s total sales.

• According to Yotpo, a Belgian IT consultancy, 84% of global respondents said belonging to a loyalty program influences their decision to buy again.

• The Food Institute, a food industry insights site, cites Paytronix, a loyalty program analytics, 2022 Annual Loyalty Report, stating that the most loyal 2–3% of customers drive approximately 5–17% of overall business revenue.

The 10 best restaurant customer loyalty programs 

The exciting part of exploring loyalty programs is discovering how these examples leverage restaurant technology, how their programs work, and which approach might be best for your business. There are many ways to reward customers, and here are some of the best examples

1. Starbucks’ Reward 

Type: Point-based loyalty program

Starbucks Rewards has established clear reward terms and is one of the best examples of a tiered, point-based loyalty program. Here’s how you can use their approach to inspire your restaurant.

They make joining easy by letting customers sign up for free on the app or website. Every purchase earns points (Stars), which makes spending feel rewarding. 

They add an incentive by offering 2 points per $1 spent when customers preload money into the Starbucks Card or app and pay with that balance. They also give 1 point per $1 for anyone who scans the app and pays another way.

Starbucks makes things even more exciting by tossing in bonus challenges and Double Star Days to help customers reach their goals faster.

2. Taco Bell's Taco Lover's Pass

Type: Subscription rewards

Taco Bell was trying to find a new way to get people in the door more often. They already had a loyal fan base but wanted to turn casual customers into regulars. 

Instead of using the point-based programs, they tried something different. They created a “Taco Lover's Pass” that will be handled exclusively through their app.

A customer would pay a set fee, let's say $10, for a month. In return, they could get one free taco every single day for 30 days.

According to the research of Clevertap, an all-in-one engagement platform, when someone signed up for the Taco Bell pass, they got to pick from a list of classics: the regular Crunchy Taco, a Doritos Locos Taco, or a Soft Taco Supreme.

3. Chick-fil-A One

Type: Tiered loyalty programs

Chick-fil-A’s program that highlights status and belonging is usually done for free by downloading the Chick-fil-A app and creating an account. This immediately puts them in the first tier, the “One Member” level.

Every time the customer makes a qualifying purchase, they earn points. The key is that they have to make sure the program knows they're the ones making the purchase. So customers must order on the app, scan a QR code, or scan a receipt. 

Customers can use points to get free food as they accumulate points. In the app, they can browse a “Rewards Store” where they can exchange certain points for items.

The customer's loyalty is tracked by the points they use for rewards and the total number of points they earn in a year. When they hit a certain point milestone (for example, 1,000 points in a year to reach Silver), the app automatically upgrades them to the next tier.

4. McDonald’s Happy Meal

Type: Item-based reward

We all know the McDonald's Happy Meal. But have you ever considered it a kind of loyalty program? Instead of earning points on a dollar-for-dollar basis, customers are rewarded for purchasing a specific item.

The McDonald's Happy Meal is a pre-packaged kids' combo including a main item, a side, and a drink. The customer gets to choose from a few options for each category.

The “Happy” in Happy Meal comes from the included toy or book. The toy is a key marketing tool and the main reason many children ask for the meal.

5. Domino's Piece of the Pie Rewards

Type: Point-based loyalty program

Customers join through Domino's website or app. Their membership is tied to their phone number or email, so their points track across all orders (delivery, carryout, or online).

Customers earn 10 points for every order of $5 or more, regardless of how much they spend. This is different from many programs where customers earn points per dollar. Domino’s makes it simple: one qualifying order = 10 points.

Once they hit 60 points (6 qualifying orders), they can redeem for a free medium two-topping pizza. They also had a limited-time “Points for Pies” campaign, during which they could scan any pizza (even from a competitor) and earn points.

6. Panera's Unlimited Sip Club

Types: Subscription reward 

Panera Bread has a loyalty program that’s all about keeping customers hydrated. It’s called the Unlimited Sip Club, and for a flat monthly fee, they can enjoy one of their drinks every two hours and get unlimited refills of the same drink during that two-hour window.

Joining is simple. Create a free MyPanera account on their app (available on iPhone and Android) or on their website. Once you are signed up, log in and scan your membership code whenever you order.

Right now, they’re running a limited-time offer. If customers join by September 28, they can get the first four months for just $4 a month plus tax. After that, it renews at the regular price of $14.99 a month, unless they cancel.

7. Dunkin’ Rewards

Type: Point-based loyalty program

Dunkin’ Rewards lets customers earn 10 points per $1 on qualifying purchases. If guests visit 12 qualifying times in one calendar month, they unlock Boosted Status, which increases their earning rate to 12 points per $1 for the next three months.

They can redeem points for free drinks, food, and treats using the rewards menu in the Dunkin app. They offer bonus-point challenges, seasonal promotions, birthday bonuses, and personalized offers based on their purchase history. Sometimes there are special deals or limited-time discounts too.

8. Crumbl Cookies loyalty program

Type: Point-based loyalty program

Crumbl Rewards lets customers earn “Crumbs” every time they buy cookies. Members get 10 Crumbs per $1 spent at the base level, and as they accumulate Crumbs, they can move up through tiers (Silver, Gold, Pink) to earn even more Crumbs per dollar and unlock extra perks.

Crumbs can be redeemed for free cookies and other rewards through the Crumbl app or website. Members also receive special perks like a free birthday cookie, early access to weekly flavors, and exclusive offers. 

The program is simple to join and easy to track in the app. It rewards loyal fans with treats and VIP experiences.

9. International Burger Connoisseur Club

Type: Item-based reward

Aside from Epik Burger’s loyalty program, they also feature the International Burger Connoisseur Club, an item-based reward challenge. 

Customers who try every burger on the menu receive a T-shirt, a $25 gift card, and have their name featured on a slideshow in the restaurant.

10. Subway MVP Rewards 

Type: Point-based loyalty program

The idea of this program is simple: customers get 10 points for every dollar they spend, and higher levels earn even more points. They can turn 400 points into $2 in Subway Cash for future meals. 

When they first sign up, they get 250 points as a welcome gift. Members also get a free birthday treat depending on their level.

The program has three levels: Pro, Captain, and All-Star. The higher the level, the more perks members get, like free chips on Fridays and special deals just for members. Customers earn points by ordering at Subway, scanning the app, or providing their phone numbers. 

Points expire if they are not used or earned at least once every 180 days. Some purchases, like gift cards, catering, or third-party delivery, do not earn points.

The benefits of loyalty programs

1. Collect customers’ data from smart marketing

According to Investopedia, a leading finance education platform, a well-executed loyalty program gives establishments valuable customer data and helps repeat customers attract new ones at a lower cost than traditional marketing.

By using this data, including purchase patterns, frequency, and preferences, restaurants can create targeted offers, anticipate trends, and provide personalized menu suggestions, making the loyalty program directly beneficial to both the business and its customers.

2. Reduce customer churn through engagement 

Keeping customers coming back is always cheaper than acquiring new ones. Loyalty programs encourage this retention by creating touchpoints for personalized communication.

Supporting this, a case study by FramingImpacts, a behavioral strategy consultancy in the financial services sector, highlights how loyalty programs can dramatically reduce churn. In one instance, churn decreased by 50% after implementing a loyalty program with personalized communication.

3. Build a better experience 

Loyalty programs do more than encourage repeat purchases. They help build meaningful connections with customers. Research by Queue, a loyalty insights company, shows that members of loyalty programs report having more positive experiences with brands because their relationship goes beyond simple transactions and feels more personal and rewarding.

4. Deliver positive ROI

Digital Silk, a digital marketing agency, reports that 90% of loyalty programs have delivered a positive return on investment (ROI), and 77% of users remain loyal to brands that offer such programs. 

These findings highlight the power of well-designed incentives, which can turn occasional diners into consistent revenue streams and make loyalty programs a highly cost-effective growth strategy.

5. Increase AOV

Yotpo reports that Average Order Value (AOV) often increases as customers aim to reach higher tiers or earn more rewards, effectively “pushing” their orders upward.

By strategically structuring rewards and tiers, restaurants can subtly “nudge” customers to order more per visit, benefiting both the diner and the restaurant's profit.

How to build a restaurant loyalty program 

With plenty of examples from successful brands, you can look up to them and use them as inspiration for your own program. But don’t worry, that’s exactly what this article is all about— helping you create the best restaurant loyalty programs 2025. 

1. Use digital menu software to create restaurant loyalty programs

You might wonder, what does this type of menu have to do with loyalty programs? The real question is: how will you track customer orders and know what and how much they’ve purchased to qualify for a reward? 

Manually jotting it down isn’t practical. You need a smart digital menu that automatically collects customer data and purchase history for you.

Many aspects of a loyalty program can be affected if tracking isn’t done correctly. A smart menu management system handles the accounting for you, so you can budget your rewards properly.

If you can’t implement programs like the big brands, you can start simple and begin with this tool.

2. Decide on the type of loyalty program

It’s very important to choose the type of loyalty program because giving rewards without a clear structure can lead to confusion, wasted resources, and low customer engagement. 

You can choose one based on what you want to offer. There are several formats you can consider, and these are the common types:

• Subscription reward: Best for brands with a large customer base
• Item-based reward: Ideal for startups or smaller businesses
• Tiered loyalty program: Suitable for higher spending
• Point-based loyalty program: Works well for flexible and frequent rewards

Successful brands across restaurants, retail, and service industries have researched and proven these program types to be effective. Choosing the right type depends on your goals, your budget for rewards, and what will resonate most with your status and customers.

3. Create meaningful and engaging rewards

When you give rewards, make sure they are genuinely meaningful. Rewards are not just restaurant marketing tools or gimmicks. Today, people care deeply about things like health, community, the environment, and inclusiveness.

So, when offering a reward, align it with what truly matters now, rather than giving something just for the sake of it.

Here are a few ideas you can use:

• Charity Programs: “Reward for a Cause”

Partner with local or global charities and let customers choose where their reward gets donated. You can also have your seasonal loyalty program, such as back-to-school season, you could offer: “Purchase at least 20 dollars for free school supplies to kids in need.” 

This approach turns a simple transaction into a meaningful action, giving customers a sense of purpose and involvement.

• Inclusive Rewards 

Create special items or limited-edition designs that celebrate diversity, equality, and representation. 

For example, you could offer rewards in a variety of skin-tone shades, create packaging that reflects different cultural colors and symbols, or even accommodate dietary preferences with your free meal.

This acknowledges and honors different races, genders, and communities that have historically faced discrimination.

• Sustainable Rewards

Think about the items people usually throw away, like single-use plastics, takeout containers, or packaging. Instead of letting them go to waste, turn them into opportunities for impact.

Encourage customers to return these items by offering loyalty points or discounts. Then, make sure you handle them responsibly: recycle or upcycle, and repurpose creatively. 

4. Implement personalization and fun elements

Beyond the meaningful rewards you already have in mind, think of another way to engage customers that also benefits them. 

You can diversify your offerings to encourage customers to explore your menu. You could create reward challenges such as ‘try something new' quests, seasonal menu hunts, or mystery rewards. 

Aside from that, there’s a popular saying that has been trending: “Oh, to be known.”

It means that people love it when businesses recognize their preferences and treat them as individuals. You can do the same by offering personalized rewards using the customer data gathered from your online ordering platform feature.

5.  Track the impact on sales and optimize

After launching your loyalty program, check your restaurant order system for sales data. It shows how much revenue you’ve accumulated over a specific period, allowing you to see whether sales have increased, decreased, or remained steady. 

By analyzing this data, you can make informed adjustments to your loyalty program, whether it’s modifying rewards and creating new challenges for long-term success.

Keep loyalty alive with one reward at a time!

The old way of doing business, where a customer's loyalty was simply based on a good deal, is gone. Today, the restaurant loyalty programs 2025 is built on an emotional connection and a feeling of being appreciated and understood.

As you finish this article, one reflective question to consider is: Despite the different approaches, what was the most common visible strategy they used?

From Starbucks’ point-based rewards to Panera’s subscription club, the most successful programs are those that use smart technology to create human-centered experiences.

Just like how a simple restaurant order management system forms the foundation for a seamless, personalized journey.

The future of loyalty is less about points and more about people. It is about making every customer feel like a VIP.