Are you looking for a way to take your restaurant business to the next level? Restaurants that have loyal customers are far more likely not only to survive but to thrive. If you’re already providing a great atmosphere, delicious food, and excellent customer service, offering a restaurant loyalty card can help you build a strong base of repeat customers.
In fact, done correctly, a successful customer loyalty program can completely transform your business. Here’s a closer look at some of the benefits you’ll enjoy and an overview of how to successfully set up a restaurant loyalty program.
1. Attract More Regular Customers
Historically, regular customers tend to spend more during each visit and often leave larger tips. This can help support your business while also providing your waitstaff with more reason to deliver exceptional service. When incentivized by a rewards program, your regulars may also visit more often than they typically would and may spend more during each visit.
Many regular customers are also happy to recommend their favorite restaurants to family and friends. So the more loyal customers you can acquire, the more new customers you’re also likely to attract. Eventually, you may build a customer base so strong that you’ll need to expand your restaurant.
2. Collect and Analyze Customer Data
Not only does a restaurant loyalty program increase revenue, but it also gives you the opportunity to collect and analyze customer data. Every time a customer swipes their restaurant loyalty card or signs in on an app, you’ll learn more about their spending habits, their favorite dishes, how often they visit, and which days they tend to visit.
This information can help you enhance your marketing efforts and may allow you to target potential new customers that fall into the same demographic. You can also use it to personalize your rewards program, offering promotions that you know your loyal customers will find irresistible.
3. Increase Brand Awareness
When designing your restaurant loyalty card, you’ll have the chance to incorporate your restaurant’s logo and brand colors. As your restaurant becomes more popular this will become more recognizable, further increasing your brand awareness.
You can also send your loyal customers special promotions that they can share with their family and friends through email and/or social media. This makes it easy for them to become raving fans and promote your restaurant.
How to Build a Successful Restaurant Loyalty Program
It’s important to note that not all restaurant loyalty programs are the same. If you want to create a program that really works, consider the following tips.
Keep it Simple
Nobody wants to participate in a restaurant loyalty program that comes with a huge list of rules and stipulations. You’ll have the most success if you keep things simple and ensure your customers can get rewards for almost every food and drink purchase and redeem them in convenient ways.
One of the most common ways to do this is to award points for each dollar spent and allow customers to redeem their points for cash credit on their bills. If takeout orders are a large part of your business, you may also decide to offer free delivery after the customer has placed a certain number of orders.
Personalize the Experience
It’s important to make your loyal customers feel special. You don’t have to offer a ton of discounts all the time, but make sure they know they have access to things non-VIPs can’t get.
You can also use your rewards program to personalize the experience by offering reduced prices or special items on birthdays, anniversaries, and holidays. Another option is to reward your loyalty program members for referring new guests to your restaurant.
Go Digital
With so many businesses going completely cashless, it makes sense to adopt a loyalty program that functions in the digital world. Paper cards won’t provide you with customer data and can be inconvenient for the customer. Most guests also don’t want to add yet another card to their wallet and if they forget to bring it with them it can lead to a frustrating experience.
If you can, consider offering your loyalty program through a mobile phone app, as this will give you the most flexibility. If that’s not an option, a digital restaurant loyalty card is the next best thing.
Financing the Cost of Your Loyalty Program
While the benefits are well worth it, setting up a restaurant loyalty program may require an initial financial investment. You may want to consider financing options, like taking out a small business loan or merchant cash advance, to help you cover the cost without tapping into your savings or operating fund. Zinch offers business owners easy access to the funds they need to keep their business going in the right direction. Contact us at (714) 500-6622 to learn more about your options. You could qualify for up to $250,000 in just 24 hours.
