Archive for the “Guest Engagement” Category

Two decades ago, the only item in a food service establishment’s tech stack was the point-of-sale (POS) system. Such an arrangement is nearly unthinkable today, as a thriving modern restaurant relies on a dizzying number of advanced solutions. Technology impacts every customer touchpoint, every interaction between front and back of house, every accounting decision, and every supply concern. 

As an industry leader in ordering-and-delivery and loyalty software for the past 20 years, Paytronix has helped optimize the tech stack of thousands of clients. These simplified tech stacks limit the staff actions required to complete a task, integrate more smoothly across platforms, and empower a better guest experience. What do we recommend? Give these tips a try:

1. Slim Down Your Tech Stack

Paytronix reduces your restaurant’s tech stack through an all-in-one customer experience platform that integrates with your current POS. The platform enables you to create and deploy omnichannel campaigns in five minutes or less while combining your services. And clients that combine their online ordering and loyalty programs increase order frequency by an average of 18%.

No tech stack is too complex. With over 450 integrations, Paytronix has you covered.

2. Integrations:   

A lot has changed over the last 25 years. Restaurant tech stacks now encompass nearly every aspect of front- and back-of-house operations, making the integration of disparate technologies critical for efficient operations. 

Paytronix has handled hundreds of integration projects ranging from the simple to the complex, and those haven’t been limited to in-house systems. Many involve third-party delivery platforms like DoorDash and Uber Eats. You no longer need to sweat multi-platform updates in the middle of a Friday night rush because the Paytronix platform automatically pushes menu changes to all of the third-party platforms to which your business subscribes.

Interested in integrations for your company but not sure where to begin? The Paytronix Integrations Playbook gives you the inside scoop.

3. Master the Art of Delivery.

Once the pandemic took hold, millions of Americans who had never considered delivery as an option found themselves using ordering platforms for the first time. That trend seems here to stay, as recent surveys indicate that 93% of restaurants have or plan to offer the ability to order online. Millennials and Gen Z have also shown a tremendous willingness to order from home. When those generations visit your ordering site, will they like what they see?

Paytronix brings its best-in-class Order & Delivery product to restaurants of every category type, both through customizable first-party ordering and simplified third-party integration. Your restaurant will be easily able to support both platforms through the integrations mentioned in the previous section. 

Moreover, the delivery experience can be taken to the next level with a custom bundle of other Paytronix products, such as loyalty and feedback tools. Giving your guests the ease of ordering, getting rewards, and providing feedback on one easy-to-access digital platform will result in more orders and larger basket sizes. 

Is an inflated tech stack taking the wind out of your IT group’s sails? Paytronix is ready to make your day. Request a demo of Paytronix Order & Delivery or consult the great tech resources on the Paytronix website.

QDOBA’s streamlined new rewards program is an example of how to build loyalty by offering guests a great customer experience and listening to what matters.

We know that a better customer experience does great things for a brand. Well-designed and executed loyalty programs, especially programs like this one, can have a substantial impact on visit frequency, incremental revenue, and overall customer lifetime value. Research conducted by Paytronix and PYMNTS found that 70% of quick-service and fast-casual patrons take advantage of loyalty programs offered by several restaurants they purchase from frequently, and 64% of customers use loyalty programs at multiple restaurants from which they frequently purchase.

But it’s also true that what works today cannot work forever, so it’s important to have a technology platform in place that offers flexibility, and a team that knows how to take full advantage of a platform.

QDOBA is a long-time Paytronix partner, with a very successful loyalty program. But we are always looking for ways to increase revenue and to make the entire experience better. Working with the Paytronix Data Insights team, QDOBA took a deep dive into the data, asking questions of both active and lapsed users to understand how they interact with the brand, what they love, and what they want.

Guests made a few things clear. They loved the food and they loved earning rewards that got them free meals, but they wanted it to be easier. In short, easy redemption and relevant, compelling rewards are key to strong member engagement.

The result is a simplified program that offers a fast path to rewards which increases visit frequency and boosts customer acquisition.

It’s this kind of work that creates a thoughtful program that keeps the customer front and center.

Paytronix-powered loyalty programs are among the best in the country at keeping customers happy, according to Newsweek‘s annual “America’s Best Loyalty Programs” rankings.

Newsweek’s independent survey of more than 4,000 loyalty program customers included those
for restaurants, retailers, and service providers. With over 20,000 evaluations collected, they based their final rankings on six criteria:

1. Ease & Enjoyment – how much do customers like being in the program?
2. Benefit – do customers think the rewards are worth it?
3. Overall satisfaction – did the program fulfill customer expectations?
4. Customer Support – how happy are customers with the way things are handled when
   something goes wrong?
5. Trust – are customers alright with the way the loyalty program uses personal data?
6. Recommendations – how likely are they to recommend the program to friends or family?

An impressive 13 Paytronix-powered brands made the Newsweek list:

Top Ranking Restaurants and C-Stores Using Paytronix:

Andy’s Frozen Custard

No membership fees, a free treat just for registering, bonus point offers – these are just a few of the ways Andy’s Frozen Custard has mastered keeping customers coming back, again and again.

Learn why rewarding your guests early on, providing point tracking, and other aspects of Andy’s model are crucial for a loyalty program to succeed here.

Peet’s Coffee

When Peet’s revamped its loyalty program to Peetnik Rewards, the company delivered on three important objectives: personalization, flexibility, and visibility. Customers can choose their reward, redeem it on their own time, and track their rewards – all from one mobile app platform so they can bring a piece of Peet’s wherever they go.

Bruster’s Real Ice Cream

Equally sweet (and real) as the ice cream at Buster’s are the rewards. Customers earn a point for every dollar spent at any participating Bruster’s location. And since ice cream is a reason to celebrate, Bruster offers a referral award along with a Birthday treat. There’s plenty more to the surprises, delights, and bankable points at Bruster’s.

Curious whether a program like theirs is right for your brand? Learn more here.

QDOBA

It’s okay to double dip at Qdoba – well, not like that. QDOBA’s recent revamp features a two-tiered loyalty program (foodie and chef) that offers more rewards (and queso dip) than ever. After visiting 12 or more times per year, “foodie” guests are upgraded to chef status and gain access to a ton of bonus points, mystery offers, and seasonal challenges.

P.F. Chang’s

When you earn a reward at P.F. Chang’s, they make sure it counts. Customers earn 10 points for every $1 spent and at 2,000 rewards points, customers receive a $15 credit to use on anything they want, from dim sum, to entrees, to dessert. Traveling for your Birthday? P.F. Chang’s prefers a birthday month – customers can redeem your complimentary dessert or appetizer at any point within the special month.

Learn more about what Birthday rewards programs can do for your brand here.

Caribou Coffee

Caribou Coffee is all about thinking ahead – from buy-online-pickup-in-store (BOPIS) orders to product sneak peeks, Caribou’s loyalty program is fully caffeinated and ready for what’s next. Customers earn 2 points per $1 spent on a great variety of products and loyalty members enjoy exclusive access to offers and birthday rewards.

California Pizza Kitchen

“An instant party for your tastebuds” says California Pizza Kitchen about its loyalty program offerings. With built-in incentives like free small plates for new registrants, California Pizza Kitchen has partied its way to the top.

Thinking a tiered automatic conversion program may be right for your brand? Learn more here.

Panera Bread

Panera is here for every kind of loyal customer. Panera veterans are impressed by the degree of personalization but kept on their toes with surprise offers. Businesses love the catering rewards, and for those who aren’t quite ready to jump into MyPanera appreciate a 3-month free trial to the “Free Coffee & Tea” subscription program.

Learn more about Panera’s subscription program here.

Einstein Bros. Bagels. 

Who doesn’t love free bagels? The Shmear Society rewards program at Einstein Bagels lets customers “eat the benefits,” by cashing in accrued points on rewards of their choice. And it all happens from an easy-to-use mobile app.

Jimmy John’s

Jimmy John’s Freaky Fast Rewards program rewards customers for “what they already do – eating sandwiches.” In a world of complex loyalty programs, Jimmy Johns keeps it simple fast with free sandwiches, sneak peeks at new menu items, and special promotions.

Learn how to optimize your loyalty program and begin driving revenue for your brand here.

Papa Murphy’s

Papa Murphy’s treats their loyal customers as “pizza insiders.” The brand’s MySLICE rewards program goes the extra mile to get to know customers, allowing them to save favorite orders and locations to make the next transaction even easier than the last.

Dutch Bros

You don’t have to Double Dutch your way to rewards at Dutch Bros. With attainable rewards conversions and contactless payments, Dutch Bros lets you win early on – and gives you stickers to show off.

Learn more about how contactless payments can smooth out your loyalty program.

MAPCO

Customers taking pit stops at MAPCO are winning the savings race. With MAPCO MY Reward$, customers save 3 cents on every gallon and can earn points both at the pump and in the store.

Learn how loyalty programs can help bring your convenience store to the next level here.

A top loyalty program is a sign that a brand values its top customers and knows what will keep them coming back.

Congratulations to these brands for putting their customers first, with Paytronix.

The competition is fierce for guests’ online business, and restaurants and c-stores are working to keep their brands competitive and stay on top of platforms as they grow ever more sophisticated and ease-of-ordering takes center stage.

Now is the time to prepare yourself — and your business — by learning about the new features and differentiators hitting the market, how they’ll impact the guest experience, and which will be critical to your brand’s success.

You’ll get a great head start by checking out the recent Paytronix webinar How to Prepare for Next Generation Online Ordering.

Highlights included overviews of:

Menu testing. Your menu’s presentation online really impacts how guests interact with it. Menu variant testing allows you to run different versions of your menu at the same time to determine which is most profitable. […]