{"id":9468,"date":"2025-08-29T23:09:00","date_gmt":"2025-08-30T06:09:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.getcraver.com\/best-restaurant-loyalty-programs\/"},"modified":"2025-11-26T11:54:19","modified_gmt":"2025-11-26T18:54:19","slug":"best-restaurant-loyalty-programs","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.getcraver.com\/blog\/best-restaurant-loyalty-programs\/","title":{"rendered":"Best Restaurant Loyalty Programs 2026 &amp; Why They Work"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p>In fashion, 2026 is the year of pastel peach.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>In tech, it\u2019s the year of generative AI.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>But in the restaurant industry?&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>It\u2019s the year of the loyalty program.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>From old-timers like <a href=\"https:\/\/www.nrn.com\/quick-service\/domino-s-makes-comeback-refreshed-loyalty-program-and-marketing-push'\" rel=\"noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Domino\u2019s<\/a> to digital up-and-comers like <a href=\"https:\/\/www.fastcasual.com\/news\/chopt-upgrades-rewards-program\/\" rel=\"noopener\" target=\"_blank\"><span>Chopt<\/span><\/a>, restaurants of all kinds are working on bigger, better, and sometimes brand-new loyalty programs\u2026&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>And here\u2019s why you should care.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Why Restaurant Loyalty Programs Matter in 2026<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Restaurant loyalty programs are searing hot right now\u2026 but not in the same fleeting, \u201cquick-to-expire\u201d way as some other restaurant trends.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><em>(We\u2019re looking at you, <\/em><a href=\"https:\/\/www.mashed.com\/178657\/food-trends-from-this-past-decade-weve-already-forgotten-about\/\"><em><span>charcoal ice cream<\/span><\/em><\/a><em>.)&nbsp;<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Loyalty programs are trendy right now because they <em>work<\/em>.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>From a customer\u2019s POV:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/restaurant.org\/research-and-media\/research\/research-reports\/state-of-the-industry\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">81%<\/a> of people would join a restaurant loyalty program if it was an option<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/restaurant.org\/research-and-media\/research\/research-reports\/2024-technology-landscape-report\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">96%<\/a><span> of existing loyalty program members feel they get \u201cmore bang for their buck\u201d&nbsp;<\/span><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.pymnts.com\/study\/relationship-commerce-brand-engagement-subscriptions-memberships-loyalty-programs\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span>77%<\/span><\/a> of consumers buy\/spend more from the places they feel a sense of loyalty to&nbsp;<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>And from a restaurant owner&#8217;s POV:&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.mckinsey.com\/capabilities\/growth-marketing-and-sales\/our-insights\/next-in-loyalty-eight-levers-to-turn-customers-into-fans\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span>15-25%<\/span><\/a> is how much top-performing loyalty programs can boost revenue<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.paytronix.com\/resources\/reports\/annual-loyalty-report\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span>9%<\/span><\/a> is how much higher the AOV is for loyalty program members vs non-members<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/restaurant.org\/research-and-media\/research\/research-reports\/2024-technology-landscape-report\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span>57%<\/span><\/a> of restaurant owners plan to invest in a loyalty program this year&nbsp;<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"separators-custom-box  \"  style='background-color: #fff8f1;'>\n\n\t\n\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"cta_title\" \n\t\t\tstyle='color:#000000;'\t\t\t>Building brand loyalty is key to effective marketing. Learn more in our Restaurant Marketing Guide.\u00a0<\/div>\n\t\t\n        \n\t\t\t\t\t<a href=\"#Download\"\n\t\t\t\t \t\t\t\tstyle=\"background-image: linear-gradient(to left, rgb(217,58,1), rgb(239,100,16));\"\n\t\t\t\tclass=\"\"\n\t\t\t>\n\t\t\t<span class=\"\" \n\t\t\tstyle='color:#ffffff;'\t\t\t>\n\t\t\t\tGet Your Copy!\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\n\t<\/div>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">The 3 Best Restaurant Loyalty Programs in 2026 (And Why They Work)<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">#1 \u2014 Potbelly: The Best Restaurant Loyalty Program for Gamification<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\">The Stats<\/h4>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Active Loyalty Members \u2192 2.2M (<a href=\"https:\/\/www.qsrmagazine.com\/reports\/inside-potbellys-comeback-potential-powerhouse\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span>Q4 2022<\/span><\/a>)<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>App Downloads \u2192 ~90K (in <a href=\"https:\/\/www.crunchbase.com\/apptopia_app\/bb49ab06-ac1e-42e9-9df6-45c112c658b2\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span>Q1 2024<\/span><\/a>)<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Digital Sales \u2192 41% of total sales (<a href=\"https:\/\/seekingalpha.com\/article\/4691112-potbelly-corporation-pbpb-q1-2024-earnings-call-transcript?open_reset_password=true&amp;origin=confirm_registration&amp;utm_campaign=%7Cconfirmation_link_registration&amp;utm_medium=email&amp;utm_source=seeking_alpha\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span>Q1 2024<\/span><\/a>)&nbsp;<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\">How It Works&nbsp;<\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p>Potbelly\u2019s loyalty program \u2014 aptly named Potbelly Perks \u2014 was first launched in 2021.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>However, in January of this year, Potbelly\u2019s loyalty program was completely reimagined, relaunching with a fresh new app interface and an even <em>fresher<\/em> new take on rewards.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Here\u2019s how the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.prnewswire.com\/news-releases\/potbelly-launches-reimagined-potbelly-perks-loyalty-program-302040837.html\" rel=\"noopener\" target=\"_blank\"><span>new Potbelly Perks<\/span><\/a> are better than ever before:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-table\"><table class=\"has-fixed-layout\"><tbody><tr><td><strong>Old Potbelly Perks<\/strong><\/td><td><strong>New Potbelly Perks<\/strong><\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Potbelly Points<\/td><td>Potbelly Coins<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>No spending tiers &#8211; all Members earn 10 points per dollar<\/td><td>Three spending tiers:<br>1 &#8211; Rookie<br>Spends &lt;$200 annually Earns 10 Coins per dollar 2 &#8211; Pro<br>Spends $200+ annually Earns 11 Coins per dollar 3 &#8211; Boss<br>Spends ~$475 annually&nbsp; Earns 12 Coins per order&nbsp;<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Redemption offers start at 1,000 points<\/td><td>Redemption offers start at 200 Coins<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Points can be redeemed for Entr\u00e9es only<\/td><td>Coins can be redeemed for Entr\u00e9es, Sides, Cookies, Shakes, Foundation Drinks, and more!&nbsp;<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Why It Works&nbsp;<\/h4>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Short Pipeline from Spend &gt; Reward\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>With redemption options as low as 200 Coins, Members only need to spend $20 to get a reward (easily doable in a visit or two). With almost a 1:1 ratio for trips to rewards, signing up for Potbelly Perks instantly becomes a no-brainer.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Gamification of Spending Through Tiers\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Potbelly\u2019s newly introduced spending tiers gamify the program for Potbelly-lovers everywhere. Fans can challenge their friends to reach Boss status, strategize on saving and spending Coins, and enjoy increasingly better earnings over time.&nbsp;<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/p\/C2aP_jcIAa6\/?hl=en\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1640\" height=\"924\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/www.getcraver.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/Potbelly-Perks-1.png\" alt=\"Diner Using Potbelly's Mobile App \"><\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">#2 \u2014 McDonald\u2019s: The Best Restaurant Loyalty Program for User Experience&nbsp;<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\">The Stats<\/h4>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Active Loyalty Members \u2192 150M globally (<a href=\"https:\/\/www.restaurantbusinessonline.com\/technology\/mcdonalds-making-massive-investment-digital-marketing\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span>Q1 2024<\/span><\/a>)<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>App Downloads \u2192 ~6M (in <a href=\"https:\/\/sensortower.com\/blog\/2023-q4-unified-top-5-fast%20food%20and%20fast%20casual%20restaurants%20apps-units-us-63da4f42e1714cfff179c8c3\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span>Q4 2023<\/span><\/a>)<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Digital Sales \u2192 $20B+ (<a href=\"https:\/\/corporate.mcdonalds.com\/corpmcd\/our-stories\/article\/mcd-announces-targets-development-loyalty-membership-cloud-tech.html\"><span>Q4 2023<\/span><\/a>)<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\">How It Works&nbsp;<\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p>McDonald\u2019s rewards program launched in <a href=\"https:\/\/corporate.mcdonalds.com\/corpmcd\/our-stories\/article\/world-famous-fanday.html\" rel=\"noopener\" target=\"_blank\"><span>July 2021<\/span><\/a> as part of the brand\u2019s larger <a href=\"https:\/\/corporate.mcdonalds.com\/corpmcd\/our-company\/who-we-are\/accelerating-the-arches.html\"><em><span>Accelerating the Arches<\/span><\/em><\/a><em> <\/em>growth strategy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The rewards program \u2014 <a href=\"https:\/\/www.mcdonalds.com\/us\/en-us\/mymcdonalds.html\"><span>MyMcDonald\u2019s Rewards<\/span><\/a> \u2014 is designed to reward customers for one thing: simply enjoying their favorite menu items.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Everything on the McDonald\u2019s menu is game for rewards, with Members earning 100 points per dollar spent on\u2026 well, <em>anything. <\/em>And, considering redemption offers start as low as 1,500 points, it\u2019ll only cost Members two Big Mac combos before they earn enough points for a free ice cream cone.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>(&#8230;as long as the ice cream machine isn\u2019t \u201cbroken\u201d when they go to redeem it.)&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Despite the success MyMcDonald\u2019s Rewards has already generated, the burger brand doesn\u2019t plan to slow down.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>McDonald\u2019s Global Chief Marketing Officer, Morgan Flatley, says the brand plans to start a \u201c<a href=\"https:\/\/www.restaurantbusinessonline.com\/technology\/mcdonalds-making-massive-investment-digital-marketing\" rel=\"noopener\" target=\"_blank\"><span>digital marketing fund<\/span><\/a>\u201d in 2025, working to improve in-app personalizations and inspire \u201cnext-generation loyalty\u201d with bigger (and better!) redemption offers for Members.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Why It Works<\/h4>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Good In-App UX\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>McDonald\u2019s app makes earning and redeeming rewards easy. From automatic point generation as soon as you pay to \u201crecently ordered\u201d and \u201cfavorites\u201d sections, the app\u2019s UX makes it the easiest and best ordering option.&nbsp;<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Point Expiry = Scarcity\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Although McDonald\u2019s points are easily generated, they <em>do<\/em> have an expiry date. That incentivizes folks to visit McDonald\u2019s, make the most of their rewards, and probably buy a few other items while they\u2019re there. Might as well, right?&nbsp;<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"separators-custom-box  \"  style='background-color: #fff8f1;'>\n\n\t\n\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"cta_title\" \n\t\t\tstyle='color:#000000;'\t\t\t>Inspired by the Golden Arches? Create a marketing plan with our Restaurant Marketing Guide.\u00a0<\/div>\n\t\t\n        \n\t\t\t\t\t<a href=\"#Download\"\n\t\t\t\t \t\t\t\tstyle=\"background-image: linear-gradient(to left, rgb(217,58,1), rgb(239,100,16));\"\n\t\t\t\tclass=\"\"\n\t\t\t>\n\t\t\t<span class=\"\" \n\t\t\tstyle='color:#ffffff;'\t\t\t>\n\t\t\t\tGet Your Copy!\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\n\t<\/div>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">#3 \u2014 Krispy Kreme: The Best Restaurant Loyalty Program for New Members<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\">The Stats<\/h4>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Active Loyalty Members \u2192 15M+ (<a href=\"https:\/\/seekingalpha.com\/article\/4669831-krispy-kreme-inc-dnut-q4-2023-earnings-call-transcript\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span>Q4 2023<\/span><\/a>)<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>App Downloads \u2192 ~10K (in <a href=\"https:\/\/altindex.com\/ticker\/dnut\/app-downloads\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span>Q1 2024<\/span><\/a>)<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Digital Sales \u2192 ~$3.5M (<a href=\"https:\/\/investors.krispykreme.com\/news\/news-releases\/news-details\/2024\/Krispy-Kreme-Reports-First-Quarter-2024-Financial-Results-and-Reaffirms-Full-Year-2024-Guidance\/default.aspx\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span>Q1 2024<\/span><\/a>)<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\">How It Works&nbsp;<\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p>The original My Krispy Kreme Treats App \u2014 and its in-app rewards program called \u201cMy Sweet Rewards\u201d \u2014 was launched in <a href=\"https:\/\/www.hospitalityleaderonline.com\/doc\/krispy-kreme-tries-to-snare-customers-with-loyalty-program-0001\" rel=\"noopener\" target=\"_blank\"><span>2015<\/span><\/a>.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The original My Sweet Rewards was a simple punch-card system, where members got a free item after purchasing 12 of the same item.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>But, in <a href=\"https:\/\/investors.krispykreme.com\/news\/news-releases\/news-details\/2024\/KRISPY-KREME-Introduces-Most-Generous-Rewards-in-Doughnut-History-including-FREE-Original-Glazed-Dozen-and-a-Dozen-Days-of-Deals\/default.aspx\" rel=\"noopener\" target=\"_blank\"><span>April 2024<\/span><\/a>, Krispy Kreme announced some changes.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.getcraver.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/Krispy-Kreme-Meme.png\" alt=\"A meme about Krispy Kreme\"\/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>The new program \u2014 now called <a href=\"https:\/\/www.krispykreme.com\/more-smiles\/rewards\" rel=\"noopener\" target=\"_blank\"><span>Krispy Kreme Rewards<\/span><\/a> \u2014 introduced \u201c<a href=\"https:\/\/investors.krispykreme.com\/news\/news-releases\/news-details\/2024\/KRISPY-KREME-Introduces-Most-Generous-Rewards-in-Doughnut-History-including-FREE-Original-Glazed-Dozen-and-a-Dozen-Days-of-Deals\/default.aspx\" rel=\"noopener\" target=\"_blank\"><span>a more generous points system<\/span><\/a>,\u201d with Members earning 10 points per $1 spent\u2026 plus, you \u201cearn\u201d a <a href=\"https:\/\/www.krispykreme.com\/rewards\" rel=\"noopener\" target=\"_blank\"><span>free doughnut<\/span><\/a> just for signing up!&nbsp; And, instead of limiting Rewards redemption to the same thing you <em>just bought 12 times<\/em>, Members can redeem points for any of the classics.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>When asked about the new program\u2019s \u201cwhy,\u201d ease and convenience were top priorities.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cWhile other brands seem to be making it harder on loyalty members, we\u2019re making Krispy Kreme Rewards easier and even more generous,\u201d <a href=\"https:\/\/investors.krispykreme.com\/news\/news-releases\/news-details\/2024\/KRISPY-KREME-Introduces-Most-Generous-Rewards-in-Doughnut-History-including-FREE-Original-Glazed-Dozen-and-a-Dozen-Days-of-Deals\/default.aspx\" rel=\"noopener\" target=\"_blank\"><span>said Dave Skena<\/span><\/a>, the brand\u2019s Global Chief Brand Officer. \u201cWe take\u2026 pride in being generous to all our guests, and that\u2019s not changing.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Why It Works<\/h4>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>More Customer-Led Choice\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Instead of restricting redemption to items a Member has already bought (and, quite frankly, is probably tired of by purchase #12!), the new rewards system puts the power back in the customer&#8217;s hands. Autonomy with rewards is <em>always<\/em> better.&nbsp;<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Leans Into Brand Strengths\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>When you think \u201cKrispy Kreme,\u201d you think of doughnuts. Their Rewards system perfectly balances that brand strength with customer choice, with Rewards that can be <em>earned<\/em> on anything, but only <em>redeemed<\/em> on a smaller, classic selection.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">What Successful Restaurant Loyalty Programs Have in Common<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>On the surface, Potbelly, McDonald\u2019s, and Krispy Kreme have completely different restaurant loyalty programs \u2014 some focus on Coins and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.qsrmagazine.com\/news\/potbelly-to-release-new-chicken-cordon-bleu-sandwich-on-underground-menu\/\" rel=\"noopener\" target=\"_blank\"><span>Cordon Bleu<\/span><\/a>\u2019s while others have dialed in on <a href=\"https:\/\/investors.krispykreme.com\/news\/news-releases\/news-details\/2024\/KRISPY-KREME-Sweetens-National-Doughnut-Day-this-Friday-June-7-with-Your-Favorite-Free-and-2-Original-Glazed-Dozen-BOGO\/default.aspx\" rel=\"noopener\" target=\"_blank\"><span>doughnut deals<\/span><\/a>.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>But, if you focus <em>less <\/em>on the logistics and more on the <em>vibe\u2026&nbsp;<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Then these three (highly successful) restaurant loyalty programs <em>actually <\/em>have a <em>lot <\/em>in common.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>All three loyalty programs:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Are<\/strong> <strong>easy to use<\/strong>, with streamlined features like automatic point generation and saved payment methods.&nbsp;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Prioritize customer autonomy<\/strong>, empowering people to choose what they want to redeem their rewards for.&nbsp;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Gamify rewards through tiers<\/strong>, making it fun to unlock higher levels and \u201csave\u201d for new, bigger rewards.&nbsp;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Have<\/strong> <strong>short \u201cearning-to-redeeming\u201d pipelines<\/strong>, so you only have to visit once or twice to earn a reward.&nbsp;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Introduce<\/strong> <strong>some element of<\/strong> <strong>scarcity<\/strong>, like \u201cone-day-only\u201d birthday rewards and limited, in-app offers.&nbsp;<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>Sure, each restaurant loyalty program is unique in its own way.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>But, underneath the brand-specific colors and fan-favorite treats, the most successful loyalty programs are all based on the same few concepts and values.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>(Concepts and values that Craver can help apply to your very <em>own <\/em>restaurant loyalty program,&nbsp; which we\u2019ll talk about\u2026 well, <em>right now.<\/em>)&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.getcraver.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/Craver-rewards-1.png\" alt=\"Hand Holding a Craver Mobile App \"\/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Start Your Own Restaurant Loyalty Program With Craver&nbsp;<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>If you\u2019re ready to jump on the \u201c2026 restaurant loyalty program\u201d bandwagon, then you\u2019re already in the right place.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>With Craver, starting a loyalty program through our custom app service is easy and effective.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><em>So<\/em> easy and effective, in fact, that it\u2019s probably best we just let our customers take it from here.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>&nbsp;\u201cEvery day we have new customers on that app. And then we have a lot of the same ones. And some of them, like clockwork, I see come through at the same time every day at the same time.\u201d \u2014 Nina, General Manager of Sips Coffee&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><em>(Oh, and the AOV of a Craver-app order is <\/em><a href=\"\/case-study-sips-coffee\" rel=\"noopener\" target=\"_blank\"><em><span>20%<\/span><\/em><\/a><em> higher than in-store, too.)<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cWe&#8217;re not just offering coffee; we&#8217;re offering a new level of convenience. That&#8217;s the transformation Craver has brought to Rook Coffee.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u2014 Holly Migliaccio, Rook Coffee Co-Founder<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><em>(Repeat Craver customers make up <\/em><a href=\"\/case-study-rook-coffee\" rel=\"noopener\" target=\"_blank\"><em><span>48%<\/span><\/em><\/a><em> of Rook Coffee\u2019s total revenue, by the way.)<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cOur customers have always said that [our Craver app] is really easy to use. It makes it a lot easier now that they can save their card information. They just pick out what they want, and add it to the card. I think all our customers would say that it&#8217;s simple to use.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u2014 Seth Weber, Owner Mocha Nut<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><em>(Mocha Nut\u2019s Craver app has 5-star ratings on both app stores\u2026 just so you know.)<\/em>.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"separators-custom-box  \"  style='background-color: #fff8f1;'>\n\n\t\n\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"cta_title\" \n\t\t\tstyle='color:#000000;'\t\t\t>Ready to join the (successful loyalty program) fun?<\/div>\n\t\t\n        \n\t\t\t\t\t<a href=\"\/book-a-demo\/\"\n\t\t\t\t \t\t\t\tstyle=\"background-image: linear-gradient(to left, rgb(217,58,1), rgb(239,100,16));\"\n\t\t\t\tclass=\"\"\n\t\t\t>\n\t\t\t<span class=\"\" \n\t\t\tstyle='color:#ffffff;'\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<p><a id=\"Download-Restaurant-Marketing-Guide\" data-hs-anchor=\"true\"><\/a><\/p>\n\n\n<div class=\"m-form  gb\"  style='--columns-ratio: 50%;'>\n\n\t\t<a id=\"Download\"><\/a>\n\t\n\t    \n    <div class=\"m-form__container container\" style=\"\">\n\n        <div class=\"l-form l-form-v3 order-default\">\n\n            <div class=\"l-form__col l-form__form\">\n\t\t        \n\n\t<div class=\"c-form\">\n\t\t<div class=\"c-form__embed\">\n\t\t\t                <div id=\"hubspot-form-1\" class=\"c-contact hubspot-form\">\n                    <script>\n                        document.addEventListener(\"DOMContentLoaded\", function() {\n                            if (typeof hbspt !== 'undefined' && hbspt.forms) {\n\n                                hbspt.forms.create({\n                                    portalId: \"4732366\", \/\/ this is your portal id\n                                    formId: \"22505271-5488-4682-856a-398d691d41e3\", \/\/ this is the form id\n                                    target: \"#hubspot-form-1\",\n                                    css: \"\",\n                                    cssClass: \"single-resources-form\",\n                                });\n\n                            } else {\n                                console.error(\"HubSpot script not loaded.\");\n                            }\n                        });\n                    <\/script>\n                    <script type=\"text\/javascript\" src=\"\/\/js.hsforms.net\/forms\/embed\/v2.js\"><\/script>\r\n<script>\r\n  hbspt.forms.create({\r\n    portalId: \"4732366\",\r\n    formId: \"22505271-5488-4682-856a-398d691d41e3\",\r\n    region: \"na1\"\r\n  });\r\n<\/script>                <\/div>\n                \t\t<\/div>\n\t<\/div>\n            <\/div>\n\n        <\/div>\n\n    <\/div>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>In fashion, 2026 is the year of pastel peach.&nbsp; In tech, it\u2019s the year of generative AI. But in the restaurant industry?&nbsp; It\u2019s the year of the loyalty program.&nbsp; From old-timers like Domino\u2019s to digital up-and-comers like Chopt, restaurants of all kinds are working on bigger, better, and sometimes brand-new loyalty programs\u2026&nbsp; And here\u2019s why&#8230;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":16,"featured_media":9471,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[98],"tags":[13,20],"class_list":["post-9468","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-blog"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v26.8 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/product\/yoast-seo-wordpress\/ -->\n<title>Best Restaurant Loyalty Programs 2026 &amp; Why They Work<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Discover how Potbelly, McDonald\u2019s, and Krispy Kreme are the masters of restaurant loyalty programs and why their customers can&#039;t stop coming back for more.\" \/>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/www.getcraver.com\/blog\/best-restaurant-loyalty-programs\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"Best Restaurant Loyalty Programs 2026 &amp; 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