{"id":6027,"date":"2025-02-05T23:16:21","date_gmt":"2025-02-05T23:16:21","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.getcraver.com\/coffee-shop-loyalty\/"},"modified":"2025-11-26T12:01:26","modified_gmt":"2025-11-26T19:01:26","slug":"coffee-shop-loyalty","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.getcraver.com\/blog\/coffee-shop-loyalty\/","title":{"rendered":"How to Set Up a Coffee Shop Loyalty Program in 7 Simple Steps"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

In the past year alone, coffee shop loyalty programs have grown stronger \u2014 and more influential \u2014 than ever before. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The 2024 Bond Loyalty Report<\/span><\/a> stated that loyalty program activity was higher last year than in the past decade,<\/em> with the average consumer having nine active loyalty memberships at any given time. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

And, while active participation is nice\u2026 that\u2019s not even the best part<\/em> of starting a loyalty program.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Active loyalty program members are some of your coffee shop\u2019s greatest allies and advocates, with 79% of consumers saying they\u2019re \u201cmore likely to recommend brands with good loyalty programs<\/span><\/a>.\u201d Plus, 85% of consumers say loyalty programs make them \u201cmore likely to continue doing business<\/span><\/a>\u201d with a specific brand \u2014 including <\/em>spending more than they would otherwise. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

But if none of those benefits convinced you that a coffee shop loyalty program is a good idea\u2026<\/p>\n\n\n\n

We\u2019ll also tell you how to set one up in seven simple steps, no guesswork needed. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

(Not a bad deal, right?<\/em>) <\/p>\n\n\n\n

So, without further ado \u2014 here\u2019s how to set up a coffee shop loyalty program. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Step 1 \u2014 Define Your Goals For Your Coffee Shop\u2019s Loyalty Program<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Before you can start planning the details of your coffee shop\u2019s shiny, new loyalty program, you need to look at the bigger picture of why you\u2019re starting a loyalty program in the first place \u2014 and <\/em>what you hope to get out of it. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

What do you want your loyalty program to \u201cdo\u201d for your coffee shop? <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Do you want it to boost visit frequency? Increase your guests\u2019s average order value? Build brand awareness and advocacy? <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Figure out your coffee shop\u2019s goals first \u2014 then <\/em>build the rest of your loyalty program around it. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Reward your best customers with a loyalty program hosted on your very own, custom-branded Craver mobile app.<\/div>\n\t\t\n \n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tBook A Demo\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\n\t<\/div>\n\n\n\n

Step 2 \u2014 Choose What Type of Loyalty Program You Want for Your Coffee Shop<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Now that you know why<\/em> you want (or need) a loyalty program, it\u2019s time to figure out what type <\/em>of loyalty program is best suited to help you achieve those goals. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Here are a few of the most popular coffee shop loyalty program types, their pros and cons, and what each can help your business achieve. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

1. Punch Card System<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

A physical card where the guest receives a hole punch, stamp, or sticker for each visit. Once the guest\u2019s card reflects a certain number of visits, the next item is free.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Example:<\/span> <\/strong>\u201cBuy 9 coffees, get the 10th free!\u201d <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Pros:<\/strong><\/span> Simple, easy to implement, easy to understand<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Cons:<\/strong><\/span> A little outdated, not as \u201cexciting\u201d as other loyalty programs, physical cards are easily lost\/stolen<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What it’s best for:<\/strong><\/span> Encouraging repeat visits from new guests or boosting the frequency of visits from existing guests<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Coffee<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

2. Points-Based System<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Typically a digital system where guests earn points per purchase or visit. When a certain number of points are accumulated, they can be exchanged for free items.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Example:<\/strong><\/span> \u201cEarn 5 points per dollar spent. Redeem 100 points for a free coffee!\u201d <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Pros:<\/strong><\/span> Simple to understand, allows everybody to earn rewards (regardless of $ value), usually digital<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Cons:<\/strong><\/span> Can take longer for guests to earn rewards<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What it’s best for:<\/strong><\/span> Encouraging repeat visits from new guests or boosting the frequency of visits from existing guests <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Craver<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

3. Tiered System <\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Similar to a points-based system with the caveat that the rewards improve as customers spend more.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Example:<\/strong><\/span> \u201cSpend $100 a month to earn Silver Status, doubling your points per dollar!\u201d <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Pros:<\/span> <\/strong>Encourages more spending, exciting to reach new levels, usually digital<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Cons:<\/strong><\/span> Required spend can sometimes be inaccessible<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What it’s best for:<\/span> <\/strong>Encouraging a higher average order value or boosting the frequency of visits from guests<\/p>\n\n\n\n

4. Subscriptions<\/a><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Guests pay a set fee (usually monthly) in exchange for unlimited (or discounted) products.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Example:<\/span> <\/strong>\u201cFor just $15 a month, you can enjoy unlimited coffee and tea!\u201d <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Pros:<\/span> <\/strong>Cost savings for guests, builds a sense of community, usually digital<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Cons:<\/strong><\/span> Price can sometimes be inaccessible<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What it’s best for:<\/span> <\/strong>Adding a predictable revenue stream to your coffee shop<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Step 3 \u2014 Select the Right Loyalty Program System For Your Coffee Shop  <\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Depending on the type of loyalty program you decide on, the system you\u2019ll need to implement will fall into one of two categories \u2014 physical or digital. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The punch card model is the only truly physical option; all you\u2019ll need to get that program off the ground is a card and a hole punch. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The other three models are all digital, and your coffee shop will need a certain level of tech infrastructure \u2014 like a POS system and\/or a Craver mobile app<\/span><\/a> \u2014 to make it happen. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Giving your customers the loyalty program they deserve starts with a custom-branded Craver app.<\/div>\n\t\t\n \n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tBook A Demo\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\n\t<\/div>\n\n\n\n

Step 4 \u2014 Decide on Your Coffee Shop Loyalty Program\u2019s Rewards\/Incentives<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

With the \u201cdigital vs. physical\u201d decision made, it\u2019s time to move on to the fun stuff: deciding on your coffee shop loyalty program\u2019s rewards and incentives. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The nice thing about this step is that there is no \u201cright\u201d or \u201cwrong\u201d way to pick rewards \u2014 the world is your loyalty oyster, here. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

You can offer monetary rewards like free coffee and exclusive discounts. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

You can offer non-monetary rewards like priority service or exclusive event invitations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

You can offer a combination of both, or even something completely innovative and new. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

But, regardless of the rewards path you\u2019re leaning toward, we always<\/em> recommend checking out what other people are doing before deciding 100%. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Look at other \u201cbest of the best\u201d coffee shop rewards programs<\/span><\/a>, explore highly successful loyalty programs outside the coffee industry<\/span><\/a>, and don\u2019t be afraid to mix and match strategies. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Step 5 \u2014 Establish Rules for Participating In Your Coffee Shop\u2019s Loyalty Program<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

So, you\u2019ve got your loyalty program system in place and know exactly what rewards and incentives you\u2019re offering your coffee shop guests.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Now you need to make sure your guests<\/em> know exactly what rewards and incentives they\u2019re being offered and how to earn them. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Whether your loyalty program is physical or digital, your customers need to know exactly what they can expect from participating in your coffee shop\u2019s loyalty program \u2014 and that\u2019s where clearly established rules and guidelines come into play. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"How<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Here are a few tips for developing the specifications of your coffee shop\u2019s loyalty program.<\/p>\n\n\n\n