The Best Loyalty Programs in Restaurants and Convenience Stores
More than 70% of consumers say loyalty programs influence what they buy. That’s a number too big to ignore.
13 min read
For business-to-consumer (B2C) businesses like restaurants and c-stores, well-designed reward platforms offer a way to personalize service, incentivize repeat visits, and gather valuable insights into customer preferences, visit frequency, and spending habits. They’re tools for understanding your most valuable customers and turning occasional visitors into regulars.
According to the National Restaurant Association’s (NRA’s) 2024 report, 96% of loyalty program users say the model helps them get more value for their money. Over half (52%) already participate in versions offered by restaurants, coffee shops, snack bars, or delis.
Learn what the best customer loyalty programs do differently and how you can apply those principles to increase repeat visits, boost customer lifetime value (CLV), and scale loyalty throughout your business.
It always comes down to strategy, execution, and tracking. What makes a successful guest loyalty program is how well it aligns with your goals and consumer loyalty profiles. This alignment determines whether your audience responds better to first-time discounts, long-term benefits, personalization, or exclusivity.
These insights drive how brands adjust their programs to meet guest expectations better. Here’s what top-performing loyalty strategies have in common:
Customer retention and order frequency often have a bigger impact than acquisition volume. While attracting new customers is important, building lasting relationships with current ones delivers higher return on investment (ROI) over time. Loyalty programs that reward ongoing engagement, such as visits, spending milestones, or referrals, foster more predictable and sustainable growth.
Instead of a static rewards program, smart businesses use micro-segmentation and behavior-based offers. That’s where loyalty becomes valuable; when guests feel like the brand understands them. Personalized rewards, reminders, and campaign timing based on actual activity help maintain high engagement levels and encourage repeat business.
From your guest’s perspective, exclusivity can be the difference between an average program and one they actually talk about. Most people belong to multiple customer loyalty programs, so they compare what each one offers.
Features like tiered status, early access, or surprise-and-delight rewards help customers feel recognized. This is where a strong loyalty marketing strategy helps turn occasional buyers into long-term brand advocates.
When we talk about scale in loyalty, we’re talking about the ability to grow without losing impact. It means reaching more customers across more channels while still offering relevant and consistent value. Each business will define that differently, depending on its size, model, and audience.
However, these five successful loyalty program examples demonstrate what scalable loyalty looks like in action, through various tactics, reward structures, and brand experiences.
Starbucks has one of the most recognized loyalty programs in the world, and it didn’t happen overnight. The brand refined its approach over time by focusing on mobile-first convenience, meaningful rewards, and integrated experiences.
The program also features seamless gift card integration. Program members can add them to their account, pay with them in-store or in-app, and even send them to others.
MyPanera is a loyalty platform that offers members a mix of free items, points, personalized benefits, and birthday rewards. One of its most attractive features is the Unlimited Sip Club, a subscription that provides members with exclusive access to unlimited self-serve drinks (including coffee, tea, and fountain beverages), surprise savings, $0 delivery fees, Saturday deals, and extra birthday treats.
Casey’s offers a loyalty program that fits perfectly with the convenience store model. Loyal customers earn points on purchases both in-store and online. The program offers exclusive benefits and provides members with flexibility in redeeming rewards, including Casey’s Cash, fuel discounts, and donations to local schools.
Among retail loyalty programs, Sephora’s Beauty Insider stands out as one of the most effective. Members earn points with every purchase and receive birthday gifts, product samples, exclusive deals, access to special events, and complimentary shipping on select orders. The program allows customers to feel recognized and valued, no matter how often they shop.
Chick-fil-A One members earn loyalty points on qualifying purchases, whether it’s a quick snack or a full meal. They can redeem points for menu items, from sides and desserts to full entrées, and enjoy birthday rewards along the way. As loyal customers order more frequently, they move up through status levels: Silver, Red, and finally Signature, unlocking additional perks at each tier.
The strongest restaurant loyalty programs have a few things in common: they offer relevant rewards, deliver a smooth experience, and feel personal to the customer. Below are two loyalty program design strategies you can apply, depending on your business goals. Whether you're trying to increase visits on slow days or improve first-time engagement, these proven approaches are effective in converting.
Brands like Dunkin’ and Casey’s use promotions like double points during off-peak hours to increase traffic when it's needed most. Others, like Chick-fil-A, target specific segments with limited-time menu items or regional offers tailored to local preferences. These promotions are straightforward yet effective because they’re timely, relevant, and grounded in real data.
Apps from brands like Starbucks and Panera lead the way in loyalty UX. They make it easy to join, track progress, and redeem rewards whether you're ordering ahead or browsing offers.
Visual tier progress, real-time points tracking, and personalized calls to action (CTAs) all contribute to higher engagement and stronger program performance. In these cases, great UX is an integral part of the restaurant loyalty program strategy, not just an added layer.
Looking at loyalty through the lens of business models helps clarify what actually works. Elements like frequency, guest behavior, and the role of exclusive discounts all shape which strategies deliver better results.
The following examples illustrate how various types of businesses structure their loyalty schemes to align with their customers' engagement patterns.
In fast casual dining, loyalty platforms revolve around daily routines. Brands focus on behaviors, such as lunch habits, app reorders, and spending patterns, using small but consistent incentives to foster long-term habits.
The goal is to make earning feel effortless and predictable. An example of a customer loyalty program that does this well is Chipotle, which combines app-based tracking with personalized offers to turn everyday orders into a reliable source of engagement.
Loyalty in the convenience store space often goes beyond repeat purchases. Programs reward customers across different behaviors, such as fuel fill-ups, snacks, drinks, or other quick buys, creating a sense of value across categories.
When managing everything through one app, the experience feels seamless.
For premium and lifestyle brands, a value-based loyalty program focuses less on discounts and more on creating a sense of belonging and exclusivity. Customers are often looking to gain access to exclusive rewards, early launches, or curated experiences rather than standard perks.
Paid loyalty programs or limited membership models work well here because the perceived value ties to identity.
Membership program benefits can include priority customer service, which improves that sense of recognition further. They offer faster support, dedicated lines, or personalized assistance that aligns with the expectations of high-value members.
Whether you use tier-based loyalty programs, a points-based structure, or a hybrid of both, the right approach depends on your business goals, customer behavior, and the pace at which your brand loyalty evolves.
The best loyalty programs are those that align with what you offer, what your customers value, and the kind of long-term relationship you want to build. Here’s how each model works and when to use it:
Tiered loyalty programs are most effective when the goal is to encourage repeat customer behavior and build progression into the customer experience. By creating levels that unlock better rewards, businesses can motivate customers to spend more often or increase their order value.
Tiered models require clear communication and a well-structured reward system. In cases where visit frequency is low or the customer base is largely composed of casual guests, the benefits tied to tiers may feel out of reach, reducing their impact on behavior.
Points-based programs are the most widely used because they’re easy to understand and flexible across industries. For restaurants and c-stores, this model is effective when transaction volumes are high and customers return frequently. The key to success is maintaining a balanced program.
Most loyalty programs rely on point systems because they are simple to understand and encourage customer engagement. This type of loyalty program design is especially effective at maximizing revenue when it aligns with real guest behavior.
Hybrid models combine the accessibility of points with the long-term engagement of tiers. This structure is ideal for businesses that serve both casual and guests. Loyalty program members can earn points on everyday purchases while unlocking additional benefits based on total spend or activity.
Some brands also include subscription elements, offering paid upgrades or bundled perks. Although this adds complexity, it allows for more customization and strategic layering.
When implemented correctly, a hybrid model supports multiple business objectives simultaneously, from increasing frequency to growing average ticket size.
Loyalty data is one of the most powerful tools when planning targeted campaigns. It empowers your brand to communicate directly with your target audience through rewards that are relevant, timely, and effective. The following campaigns demonstrate how the creative application of loyalty insights can influence customer behavior within the program.
"Try New, Get Rewarded" Product Discovery Promotions
Smashburger offers a strong example with the relaunch of its SmashClub Rewards program. Backed by loyalty data, the brand utilized a fry-focused limited-time offer to promote product discovery and reintroduce its loyalty platform, featuring improved analytics and targeting.
In 2020, this approach generated approximately $1.9 million in incremental sales, accounting for 6.5% of the brand’s total sales growth for the year.
Targeted Reengagements with Bonus Points
Automated campaigns based on recency and frequency allow brands to reengage customers with relevant incentives. Loyalty platforms can segment customers who haven’t visited in a set time frame and deliver personalized bonus point offers that encourage return visits.
These win-back strategies often outperform general promotions because they focus on behavior that's already measurable and actionable.
Geofencing and Loyalty for Localized Offers
Combining loyalty data with geotargeting enables brands to drive foot traffic in specific locations. For example, sending in-app “we miss you” messages or mobile reminders when a customer is near a store can bring back lapsed users in real time. These campaigns are particularly effective when paired with a reward or time-sensitive offer, as they tap into both convenience and proximity to motivate visits.
Knowing how to measure customer loyalty is essential. Tracking performance over time helps identify what works and reveals where to adapt as the market shifts. Expectations, technology, and engagement patterns change fast, so measuring the right indicators ensures your loyalty plan stays aligned with your business goals.
While loyalty program sign-ups are a good starting point, they are only one part of the picture. Metrics like customer lifetime value, redemption rate, participation rate, and frequency lift give a much deeper view of performance.
These indicators show whether your loyalty program is actually driving behavior and strengthening relationships. A growing list of members is positive, but ongoing engagement and reward usage are what determine real impact.
The most effective way to assess financial return is by using a loyalty ROI model that multiplies average order value, visit frequency, and margin. This framework helps brands connect guest behavior to actual revenue results. It demonstrates how loyalty drives spending and customer retention.
In this context, insights from our Annual Loyalty Report reveal how restaurant and c-store brands are building stronger customer connections through AI-powered personalization, gamification, and integrated omnichannel campaigns that put guests first.
All successful loyalty marketing strategies come down to giving guests a reason to join and stay. Your program should deliver value in the short term while setting expectations for long-term benefits.
The key is to plan, test, measure, and evolve continually based on what works for your specific restaurant or c-store.
Start with Goals, Not Features
Before choosing what your program will offer, define what you’re trying to achieve. Do you want to increase average check size, drive more visits, promote specific menu items, or shift behavior in off-peak hours?
Once your goals are clear, you can identify which features support them—whether that means points, loyalty tiers, campaigns, or app functionality—and align your marketing strategy and messaging accordingly.
Build for Guest Behavior, Not for Internal Silos
Build loyalty around your guests’ experiences, not internal departments. Align offers across ordering, digital marketing, and loyalty platforms so that the messaging and value remain consistent no matter where the interaction happens.
For example, if a customer receives an email with a reward, that same reward should also be visible in the app and ready to use at checkout.
A seamless experience increases participation, and that consistency should extend to restaurant social media as well. Platforms like Instagram or Facebook are effective for promoting rewards, app downloads, or limited-time offers (LTOs) through posts, stories, and in-app links that guide customers to act.
Audit Your Loyalty Program Quarterly
Reviewing loyalty program performance regularly helps keep it aligned with customer expectations and market changes. Use program data to identify what’s working, where drop-offs happen, and what new behavior you want to encourage. Quarterly audits also uncover larger trends that can inform pricing, operations, or even store-level planning.
Tip: If you're looking to understand how loyalty programs work in the real world, and what actually helps build brand loyalty and retain customers, firms like Consumer Intelligence Research Partners offer valuable insights.
Every loyalty program is different because every brand has different goals, customer behavior, and operational realities. Below are a few common questions to help you think more strategically about how to build or refine your own approach.
There is no single “best” program. The most effective loyalty strategies are the ones aligned with your business goals and customer behavior. For some brands, like Starbucks or Panera, that means leveraging a mobile-first, points-based reward system. For others, like REI or Chick-fil-A, it could mean tiering access or offering value-based membership.
The three Rs refer to retention, rewards, and relevance. Retention is about finding ways to engage customers over time and keep them coming back.
Rewards are the tangible or perceived benefits they receive in return. Relevance means ensuring that rewards and experiences are timely, personal, and aligned with customer expectations.
Start with your goals and define what behavior your loyalty program encourages customers to take, whether it’s more frequent visits, larger orders, or trying new products, then choose the mechanics that support that. From there, align your marketing, technology, and operations to create a consistent and seamless customer journey. Test, measure, and be ready to evolve based on what your data shows.
The Starbucks rewards program is a well-established example of a points-based loyalty system. Customers earn Stars with every purchase, which are redeemable for drinks, food, or customizations. It’s fully integrated across mobile, in-store, and digital channels, making it easy for members to track progress, receive targeted offers, and access rewards wherever they interact with the brand.
You can define great loyalty programs by how intentionally guests use the latest tools. The examples shared here are not just ideas; they’re real strategies applied by brands that grow by staying close to their customers and adapting with purpose. Now it’s your turn to take what works, shape it to your goals, and build a loyalty experience that drives results and future purchases.
Want to learn how top brands build loyalty that lasts? Book a demo today to plan, automate, and personalize your loyalty strategy from day one.