What if your restaurant could turn one-time diners into lifelong regulars?
That’s the magic of a good loyalty program. In today’s competitive restaurant scene, getting someone through the door is just step one—the real win is turning them into repeat guests. Loyalty programs are especially powerful in the restaurant world, where word of mouth and regular visits keep things thriving.
When diners have a ton of options and margins are tight, a smart loyalty program can help you build lasting connections.
These days, nearly 80% of diners say they’re more likely to pick a spot that offers rewards—so it’s not just a nice extra, it’s a proven way to bring in more business.
Here’s how a loyalty program can help your restaurant shine:
But here’s the thing: launching a loyalty program is just the beginning. To make it a hit, you need to actively promote it—online, in person, and everywhere in between.
Whether you’re running a cozy café or a bustling bistro, these 7 proven tactics will help you grow your loyalty program, boost sign-ups, and turn happy customers into loyal fans.
Your restaurant is already packed with people who love your food—so why not invite them to join your rewards program while they’re feeling the good vibes? They’re at their most engaged, making it an ideal moment to invite them into your program.
Tips to Increase In-Store Sign Ups:
The best time to get someone excited about rewards? Right after they’ve enjoyed your food.
In-person sign-ups create an instant emotional connection. Guests are already experiencing your hospitality, and the idea of getting rewarded for future visits taps directly into that positive feeling.
Your website and online ordering platforms should be working just as hard as your staff to promote your loyalty program. These are high-traffic areas where many of your most tech-savvy customers interact with your brand.
Customers who order online are already digitally engaged and likely to join and use a digital rewards program—especially if it offers perks tied to convenience or delivery.
Tips to make your mobile platforms loyalty friendly:
By making your website and ordering pages loyalty-friendly, you ensure that your program is visible and accessible where modern diners spend their time—online.
These updates turn your website and app into round-the-clock promoters—bringing in new members even while you sleep.
Loyalty doesn’t stop when the meal ends. With email and SMS campaigns, you can keep the conversation going—and gently nudge people to come back.
Did you know? Almost half of diners prefer to hear from restaurants via email, and 20% of Gen Z like engaging through social media.
Email and SMS marketing is highly cost-effective, and loyalty messages can be personalized to feel like VIP treatment. These channels are also great for re-engaging dormant customers or reminding people of unused rewards.
What to do:
It’s all about making guests feel special and keeping your restaurant top of mind—even when they’re not at the table.
Let’s be real—everyone loves a freebie.
A great sign-up reward gives people that little extra push to join, especially when they get something right away. A well-timed sign-up bonus creates an immediate sense of value and excitement.
Examples of Sign-Up Rewards:
Make sure your offer is easy to spot—on signs, menus, your website, emails, and your app. The goal is to make joining feel like a no-brainer.
Once someone joins, keep the good vibes going by offering perks that feel extra special. People stick around when they feel appreciated.
Examples of Exclusive Member Perks:
These exclusive perks give your loyalty program a premium feel—making customers feel appreciated, special, and more invested in returning.
Your most loyal customers are also your best marketers.
Customers referred by other customers have a 37% higher retention rate and are 4 times more likely to refer more customers to your brand. A referral program turns word-of-mouth into something tangible by rewarding both the person who refers and the new guest.
It's a win-win strategy that builds trust and grows your customer base—without expensive ad spend.
Examples of High-Impact Referral Tactics:
By rewarding your biggest fans for spreading the word, you’re not only expanding your reach but building a community.
Tools like DataCandy’s referral feature make it easy to launch, track, and grow your program—so you can turn happy customers into your best brand ambassadors.
Social media is your spotlight—use it to show how awesome your loyalty program really is. Whether it’s Instagram, TikTok, or Facebook, your followers want to see real experiences and real rewards.
Examples of Social-Driven Loyalty Tactics:
Social media is a powerful lever to increase loyalty sign-ups and engagement. When customers see others getting rewarded, they want in.
Pro-Tip: With DataCandy’s social rewards features, you can incentivize customers to share their dining experiences on social media by awarding loyalty points or exclusive perks for posts, tags, or reviews—turning likes and follows into long-term loyalty.
Your loyalty program is only as strong as how often (and how well) you promote it.
By weaving it into every part of your customer experience—from in-person dining to emails to social posts—you’ll build stronger relationships, get more repeat visits, and create a community that’s excited to support your brand.
Leveraging user-generated content and offering social rewards not only boosts engagement but also creates authentic word-of-mouth marketing. By integrating these tactics across all your touchpoints, you’ll not only grow membership, but also deepen customer relationships and increase repeat visits.