The Best Loyalty Programs in Restaurants and Convenience Stores

69% of consumers say loyalty programs influence their purchasing decisions, which means businesses can’t ignore them. Instead of relying on outdated marketing messages, departments can leverage loyalty program data and integrated software to deploy proven methods that balance guest experience with business impact. 

In this article, we’ll explore the best loyalty programs for restaurants and convenience stores, highlighting options for businesses of all sizes and how to find the right one for your brand. 

What Defines the Best Loyalty Programs? 

Finding the “best” loyalty program depends on your business's needs, but they typically have a few things in common. The best programs prioritize driving action, guest engagement, and the development of long-term habits.  

Below are a few factors to consider when choosing a loyalty program that’s right for you.  

4 Criteria for Selection 

Choose loyalty programs based on the following criteria:  

1. High enrollment and active usage: Opt for platforms that help you achieve high enrollment rates and build campaigns and offers, keeping members engaged. 
2. Personalization and real-time engagement: Software and integrations with artificial intelligence (AI) personalization and other personalization capabilities offer the best tools to personalize offers and reach customers better. Real-time engagement is an essential part of loyalty programs as entertaining guests is something are always hoping for. 
3. Multichannel accessibility: Loyalty programs should be accessible across all customer touchpoints. This includes email, apps, in-store, and online to create a consistent experience for customers. 
4. Demonstrated business results: Loyalty programs should be able to demonstrate measurable results, such as higher customer lifetime value (CLV), increased repeat visits, or higher average order value (AOV). 

B2C Loyalty Programs vs. B2B 

Customer-facing businesses using business-to-consumer (B2C) loyalty programs need to be at the forefront of technology. Restaurants, gas stations, and retail loyalty programs need to adapt to fast-moving consumer preferences, which means platforms need easy-to-use interfaces with options to integrate with other software or to offer customizable features.  

While B2C loyalty programs focus on building relationships and ensuring high levels of engagement, business-to-business (B2B) loyalty programs tend to focus on longer relationships with business customers, vendors, distributors, and partners.  

On B2C platforms, the onus lies on providing a frictionless experience and real-time gratification to meet customers' needs. Success metrics differ: B2C focuses on AOV, CLV, and repeat purchases, whereas B2B may concentrate on retention and expansion (and also CLV). 

4 Best Restaurant Loyalty Programs 

You don’t have to start from scratch. Instead, you can learn from the best restaurant loyalty programs to build a successful program.  

Examples Worth Studying 

Let’s discover why consumers love these four loyalty programs:  

• Chick-fil-A One: Known for its chicken sandwiches, Chick-fil-A One capitalizes on customers’ love for the fast food chain's menu to build stronger ties to the brand. The loyalty program features a tiered model with giftable rewards, personalization, and mobile ordering, offering customers various ways to engage with the brand. There is no barrier for entry as the program is free to join, but higher-tier members have access to more exclusive offers. 
• Panera MyPanera+ Coffee: Panera offers a free loyalty program and a paid loyalty model, which drive daily and frequent visits. On the free program, members receive a free food item, free delivery for 30 days, and access to member-only challenges and menu items. MyPanera Unlimited Sip Club is a paid loyalty program that offers free hot and iced coffees and teas, fountain drinks, and unlimited delivery. The program encourages more frequent purchases while encouraging customers to associate with the brand daily. 
• Dutch Bros App: The Dutch Bros application connects guests with real-time contests and personalization, and a points-based system. There are always ways to earn points and redeem rewards, including a complimentary welcome drink. The app even comes with “digital swag” to connect with the brand on a larger scale. 
• Chipotle Rewards: Customers join Chipotle’s free rewards program and become members who earn points. They offer gamification, challenges, and a seamless app experience, making it an engaging app to visit. 

Why These Work 

Chipotle, Dutch Bros, Chick-fil-A, and Panera’s rewards programs check all the boxes.  

Each program is suitable for mobile, making it easy for guests to redeem or earn rewards. Perks are simple and clearly tied to purchases, with no hoops to jump through. Because loyalty ties directly to the ordering experience, it feels seamless.  

Rewards are part of a routine, not an afterthought.  

Mobile-First Design 

A mobile-first design ensures guests stay engaged with your brand. Today, adults spend an average of 4 hours and 37 minutes per day on their phones. Businesses that can capitalize on this can ensure daily or weekly engagement, particularly if they have personalization and AI tools to automate campaigns.  

Simple Rewards with Fast Gratification 

Customers want rewards as fast as possible. Loyalty programs with a free reward upon sign-up are ideal, and programs that spread out rewards too far risk losing engagement and long-term relationships with customers.  

Strong Loyalty and Ordering Integration 

Loyalty programs should ideally integrate with ordering software, enabling customers to track their rewards and order food in one place. Access to easy-to-use ordering systems reduces friction for customers to purchase food from your business regularly, while combining it with offers like free delivery available through loyalty programs.   

4 Best Gas Station Loyalty Programs 

Convenience store and gas station loyalty programs offer different incentives from restaurant or retail programs. Platforms should support app integrations, fuel savings (points or tier-based), and exclusive offers.  

Examples That Drive Real Results 

• Circle K Inner Circle: A popular fuel savings loyalty program offering in-store discounts and tiered perks. The program starts with an exciting offer of 25 cents off per gallon and exclusive prices on drinks and other rewards. Members can reach a higher tier by spending more and unlocking more fuel savings discounts. 
• Speedway Speedy Rewards: Connecting with the gas station and merchandise, this loyalty program is a points-based program with fuel and merchandise redemptions. Members may also receive car wash discounts and monthly perks. 
• Shell Fuel Rewards: New members can sign up for Shell Fuel Rewards for free and start earning rewards for gas. They also offer partner perks and app integration with major brands, meaning more savings when customers fill up. 
• ExxonMobil Rewards+: Another gas station loyalty program offering savings on gas. ExxonMobil Rewards+ has tiered earnings across fuel, car washes, and snacks, and rewards possible for both gas and convenience store products. 

Why Fuel and Store Integration Wins 

When gas station loyalty programs offer cross-category value (savings on merchandise or convenience store food), it typically increases overall spending. Customers require gasoline regularly, and buying gas is a predictable, recurring behavior ripe for gamification.

Gamification is effective and can make it more enticing for customers to spend money at your gas station. Other features, such as past-purchase-based targeting and geo-push notifications, can drive timely visits when customers are nearby.  

3 Best Loyalty Card Programs 

Reloadable, Scannable, and Trackable 

Gone are the days when punch cards reigned supreme as the industry’s hottest loyalty program. Today, your business can offer card-link programs that act as digital wallets and link to loyalty programs.  

Popular examples include Starbucks Card, CVS ExtraCare, and Sephora Beauty Insider. Customers scan their loyalty card at checkout, and businesses can track real-time data and purchasing history.  
 
They also allow customers to stay informed about current rewards, tiers, balances, and offers.  

Why digital loyalty cards with balance tracking win over paper punch cards:  

• Digital loyalty card is always available 
• Access to real-time balance or rewards offers
• Seamless checkout with rewards applied automatically
• Higher level of personalization and offers

How Restaurants and C-Stores Can Apply These Tactics 

Restaurants and convenience stores can combine loyalty cards with gift cards or stored-value cards. Using an app or loyalty card can act as both a loyalty account and a gift card, enabling auto-reloads, birthday rewards, and referral bonuses.  

3 Best Gas Loyalty Programs for Convenience Stores 

Gas loyalty programs should offer savings at the gas pump while integrating it with in-store purchase incentives. The best gas loyalty program combines recurring savings with on-the-go convenience to encourage repeat business and increase AOV.  

Brands like Circle K, Shell, Exxon, and local chains using advanced loyalty tech are great for every customer. They combine earning points with in-store purchases and integrated loyalty systems. 

Loyalty platforms like Paytronix support multi-category rewards in a single program that can help convenience stores and gas stations merge retail, fuel, and food purchases. Customers can earn and redeem points, access real-time data, and enjoy features such as mobile and point-of-sale (POS) integration.  

Best Loyalty Rewards Programs in B2C 

B2C rewards programs that offer emotional and functional rewards perform better and drive customer loyalty. Brands like Ulta, Sephora, REI, and Nike offer exclusive experiences and events, early access, birthday gifts, and status levels to reward and personalize their programs. Rewards end up feeling more aspirational than transactional.  

Ulta Beauty is a tiered program with a points-based system, allowing customers to engage emotionally with birthday gifts, exclusive events, and different tiers.  

Sephora Beauty Insider offers its members early product access, free samples, and access to exclusive events to keep customers excited. 

Why Non-Discount Rewards Build Stronger Brand Loyalty 

Historically, discounts increase short-term behavior, but non-discount rewards increase long-term behavior, building stronger brand loyalty overall. 

Non-discount rewards can include early access, VIP experiences, surprise gifts, and exclusive content.  

Restaurants and convenience stores can offer rewards beyond coupons that align with customers' lifestyles to win long-term loyalty.  

Best Restaurant Loyalty Program for Independents and Midmarket Brands 

Independent and midmarket brands rely on loyalty programs that offer flexibility, affordability, and are easy to launch (and use).  

Platforms Ideal for Small Businesses  

• Paytronix software is suitable for businesses of every size, from small food trucks to multi-unit stores. They offer a high level of customization and flexibility with digital support for points-based rewards, ordering integrations, advanced segmentation, and digital punch cards. 
• Toast integrates well with POS systems and offers simple points-based rewards with ties to guest data. The system is relatively simple, making it easy for most small to midmarket businesses to use. 
• Square Loyalty is a popular choice for businesses of all sizes, offering a points-based system that rewards customers based on their spending. It integrates with Square’s POS system, making it easy to track customer data, and it's also great for customers to monitor their rewards progress. 

Original ChopShop, a fast-casual chain, highlights this approach. They integrate Paytronix to streamline their brand loyalty program and place a focus on convenience. Features like app-based ordering, personalized rewards, and stored value led to significant results: 

• Original ChopShop saw a 21% increase in breakfast sales during targeted campaigns. 
• More than 63,000 app downloads in a six-week holiday initiative. 

These outcomes highlight how tailored loyalty programs can drive engagement and sales for independent and midmarket restaurants.  

3 Best Loyalty Card App Options 

Loyalty card apps that work well for restaurants and convenience stores combine online ordering, loyalty programs, and payment processing into a single app.  

Fan favorites include: 

1. Starbucks (restaurant): A loyalty program and card with stored value that customers engage with. Customers can monitor their balance and rewards, track rewards progress, reload stored value, and make orders in advance. 
2. Shell Fuel Rewards (c-store): Partner rewards pair with this fuel discount loyalty program. It allows customers to earn and redeem their savings, and it uses an app-based tracking system for accuracy and the best offers and rewards. 
3. Sephora (retail): The popular Sephora app is a one-stop shop for customized purchase recommendations, rewards tracking, loyalty status, and access to exclusive content or events. The idea is that the app is a daily app for users where they can spend time browsing, shopping, and earning. 

App features to look for in the best loyalty card apps include balance tracking, order ahead, and one-tap redemption.  

Why Loyalty Integration Apps Outperform Loyalty-Only Apps 

Apps with integration abilities allow customers to log in and perform everyday actions or transactions. Browsing food or new products, ordering and delivering, and paying on apps drive higher customer engagement than on separate loyalty apps.  

Embedded rewards encourage customer behavior naturally and reduce friction for all customer experiences, rewarding loyalty. 

4 Best Retail Loyalty Programs 

Retail loyalty programs operate similarly to restaurants or convenience store platforms but have different features and focuses:  

1. Amazon Prime: Giant retailers like Amazon Prime have a fair share of the loyalty program pie. As an incredibly successful paid loyalty program, customers pay a fee to access fast or free delivery, Amazon Prime, Amazon Music, grocery savings, shopping discounts, Kindle Premium, and more. 
2. Sephora: Running a tiered, free program called “Beauty Insider,” members earn points with each purchase to later redeem for offers or exclusive discounts. 
3. Ulta: Ultra Beauty Rewards is similar to Sephora's program; members sign up for free and spend a minimum amount to reach different tiers. 
4. Target Circle: Customers can join Target Circle for free or subscribe to the paid program (Target Circle 360). Rewards members earn access to free shipping, extra discounts, and discounts on their paid loyalty program. 

Takeaways From Retail Loyalty Programs for C-Stores and Restaurant Chains 

• Use memberships and subscriptions: Offer free memberships to all customers to engage with them, whether they visit once a year or once a week. Once enrolled, you can then promote paid subscriptions to offer more discounts or rewards, ideally after building trust with customers. 
• Blend transactional and emotional rewards: Retail loyalty programs do a great job of blending transactional and emotional rewards. For example, transactional offers try to drive repeat purchases or increase visits, while emotional rewards connect with clients on a deeper level and encourage inclusivity and recognition. Emotional rewards may include birthday and surprise offers, as well as member-only experiences. Combining both allows customers to build deeper relationships with your business. 
• Drive long-term behavior change: Winning customers is a long-term game, and it’s not just about offering short-term coupons. You can entice many customers with a great coupon offer, but it takes building relationships with them to provide them with what keeps them coming back. 

What All the Best Loyalty Programs Have in Common 

Loyalty program darlings have a few things in common, including the following.  

Unified Experience Across Channels 

Customers receive the same experience across online, in-app, or in-store experiences. Data centralization makes it easier to use personalization tools and ensure customers receive a consistent experience across platforms.  

Dynamic, Adaptive Rewards 

Loyalty programs should be able to grow with your business and customers. Programs like Paytronix allow brands to build dynamic, adaptive rewards based on behavioral triggers that reward customers for shopping with you.  

Lifecycle campaigns tracking onboarding, lapsed guests, and re-engagement should naturally integrate into your software and build campaigns with adaptable rewards.  

Loyalty Platform That Grows with You 

Scalability is essential in a loyalty program platform. You should be able to build lifecycles, starting with a single location and scaling up to national chains or franchises.  

Platforms with the right tools allow businesses to build customization without complexity and offer the best loyalty programs to their customer. 

Frequently Asked Questions About Loyalty Programs 

Looking for deeper insights on what industry-leading loyalty programs look like? Dive into these commonly asked questions and our answers.

What is the most successful paid loyalty program? 

Many consider Amazon Prime to be the most successful paid loyalty program. It has an audience worldwide and typically retains customers through features such as free shipping and Prime Video access.  

What's the best airline loyalty program? 

In the United States, American Airlines has a reputation for having a popular loyalty program. Flying Blue (KLM/Air France) is typically lauded as the strongest global airline loyalty program.  

What is the number one driver of customer loyalty? 

Reliable positive customer experiences across all channels or touchpoints primarily drive customer loyalty.  

What are the three pillars of customer retention? 

Offering value, building connections and relationships, and providing consistent experiences are the three pillars of customer retention. There are different models of the pillars, which are also known as “rewards, relevance, and recognition.” 

What is the most common type of loyalty program structure? 

Points-based loyalty programs are typically the most popular. Customers enroll in the program and start earning points, which they can redeem for discounts or offers later on.  

Build a Loyalty Program Worth Signing Up For 

The best loyalty programs deliver value, convenience, and emotional engagement. To gain real loyalty with customers, your business has to offer real relationships, not just points and rewards.  

Choose software that empowers long-term growth and omnichannel success while connecting with your audience.  

Book a demo with Paytronix to launch or improve your loyalty program today.