Want to find creative restaurant incentives for customers’ programs? This post is the right place for you. We’ll discuss 14 incentive program ideas to make your restaurant a terrific location for happy, engaged guests. Whether you’ve been running a restaurant for a long time or started, these tips can help you turn one-time customers into loyal fans.

Keep reading to find out!

What Are Loyalty Program Ideas For Restaurants?

For brands today, customer loyalty is a war. Although the introduction and redesign of loyalty programs are hot topics, many companies continue to use antiquated strategies.

The good news is that loyalty initiatives may be more crucial than ever. They can assist you in overcoming these obstacles. Continue reading to learn why loyalty programs are so important and learn some effective restaurant incentives for customers to apply for your restaurants.

Why Does Your Restaurant Need A Loyalty Program?

Restaurant rewards programs are a great way to express gratitude to your loyal customers and leave a good taste in their mouths to tell others about the business. Here’s why:

• Turn first-timers into fans:

New clients are fantastic, but loyal ones are gold. Here’s why: loyalty program participants earn 12–18% greater additional revenue growth annually than non-participants.. Using loyalty programs, customers who test your meal become regulars. They’ll return for restaurant incentives for customers and bring their pals.

• Boost those sales:  

Happy consumers spend more. Rewards and special restaurant incentives for customers make your customers feel appreciated and more willing to buy more or try new foods. It benefits them and your brand.

• Spread the word (For free):

Did you know 83% of customers believe more in personal recommendations than advertising?

Loyal diners become your friends in the restaurant. A satisfied customer is a walking advertisement. They’ll talk about your meals and loyalty program to their friends and family, bringing in new customers without you lifting a finger.

To put it, regular reward programs are a tasty investment. They maintain your brand success and increase sales and customer engagement in restaurants. 

The Role of Restaurant Incentives for Customers In Customer Retention

Customers have many options these days, so it’s important to provide them with reasons to come back to you. 

The key component is this: inventive incentives. Think of them as secret weapons that keep your restaurant at the top of your customers’ minds. They create excitement, encourage repeat visits, and boost your bottom line.

Are you ready to unleash the potential of innovative rewards? Go further into the next part, where we’ll look at 14 powerful incentive concepts created especially to increase patronage at your restaurant.

How To Develop A Loyalty Program?

Offering high-quality items is part of building a successful online business. To start with, there are two basic methods to think about:

Option 1: Do-It-Yourself (DIY) Loyalty Program

You have total control over the layout of your program with this option. Besides, it takes a lot of work:

• Which behaviors (buys, reviews, social media interactions) result in rewards?
• How are you going to keep scores or awards?
• What benefits (discounts, free delivery, first access to exclusive items) would you provide? 

Advantages:

• Complete control over the design and rewards.
• It may be less expensive (if you have the necessary technical abilities).

Disadvantages:

• Setting up and keeping up takes much time and work.
• It might be difficult to handle, particularly for expanding companies.

If you have a bigger brand or want more flexibility, you could do it yourself, but be ready to spend time and money on it.

Option 2: Loyalty Solution Provider

Many companies offer ready-made loyalty programs for online stores. These are often Software-as-a-Service (SaaS) solutions with features like

• Choose from popular structures like item-based (stamps for purchases) or spend-based (points for a total spent).
• Some offer VIP tiers with exclusive benefits.

Easy Integration: Seamlessly with popular eCommerce platforms like Shopify.

Automated Management: The software handles tracking points, issuing rewards, and sending notifications.

Benefits:

• Saves you time and effort.
• Easier to manage as your business grows.
• Often comes with features like automated emails and analytics.

Drawbacks:

• Monthly subscription fees.
• Less customization compared to DIY.

A pre-made solution might be a wonderful place to start for smaller shops or newbies to loyalty programs. It is easy to use and frees you up to concentrate on managing your company.

Offer Rewards for Repeat Customers

There are no more secrets; the primary motivation for customers to join loyalty programs is the opportunity to get free items, discounts, or offers. The following are some ways that restaurant loyalty programs may be used to reward loyal patrons:

• High-spending clients may get discounts.
• Customers may get free products with repeated purchases.
• You may give clients reciprocal discounts with related businesses.
• Invite customers to try new goods and services.
• Offer discounts on new goods and services. Referral rewards are also effective.

When you give customers rewards, they will feel like they are saving money on your menu items, making them more likely to keep supporting your brand.

Recognition For Big Spenders: One of the Most Effective Restaurant Incentives for Customers

Sure, discounts, and gifts are a great way to show appreciation, but for your high-value customers, there’s more to the story. 

Customers enrolled in tiered loyalty programs have a significantly higher lifetime value than non-members. Why? These programs foster a sense of belonging, making them feel like valued members of an “inner circle.”

Chick-fil-A One membership is a good example. They offer a four-tiered system (Member, Silver Member, Red Member, and Signature Member) with progressively exciting rewards. 

As customers climb the tiers based on spending, they unlock exclusive perks like accessing backstage tours at the Chick-fil-A Home office, being the first to know about new menu items, and getting perks that are only available to Signature Members.

But do you know what the key takeaway is? It’s all about creating a unique and personalized experience for your big spenders. This goes beyond just generic discounts.

Ready to learn more about crafting a loyalty program that caters to your big spenders? Stay tuned for the next section!

Create Exclusive Offerings For Your Most Loyal Customers

As we saw in the last part, the key to making your most devoted clients feel like VIPs (Very Important People) is providing exceptional services.

65% of consumers said they would share their data for value-adding personalization. That means your customers are ready to help you learn about their likes and dislikes, holidays, and other things. This can give you many chances to show that you care about them.

Using consumer data, you may develop a loyalty program that seems like a warm invitation to a private club.

Offer Discounts On Certain Days Of The Week

One way to offer discounts is to offer deals on certain days of the week. Fear of missing out (FOMO) marketing uses psychology to make people feel like they need to act quickly, something is limited, or they can’t get it.

Most people take action because they want to take advantage of chances. Customers are more likely to come on “Taco Tuesdays” or “Wing Wednesdays” when they can get their favorite foods for a great deal.

A great example of “The Wednesday Wingman” is Miller’s Ale House. For $11.99, they provide a platter of 12 delectable wings with 15 (soon to be 18) sauces for garlic lovers.

Invite Your Social Media Followers To Participate

It is a reality you should acknowledge: not every customer who has eaten at your restaurant will return. However, restaurants with a poor Instagram presence are avoided by 30% of millennial guests. That also means your chances of their returning will increase if you get them to follow your eatery on social media! 

Don’t know how to do it? That’s easy. You may include a unique link or QR code in your social media postings. Followers will be taken to a mobile-friendly landing page to join your loyalty program and receive their reward after scanning the code or clicking the link.

Throughout all of your platforms, promote your social media loyalty program. To reach more people, provide visually appealing content and include pertinent hashtags, which we’ll guide in the next part.

Create An Exclusive Restaurant VIP Program

Create rewards that will delight your VIPs. Give them the impression of walking on red carpets by offering first dibs on new items, menu samples, or even extra points for birthday celebrations.

Also, insiders deserve VIP treatment. Send them cordial emails to stay in contact and inform them of future events, deals, and unique VIP benefits. It’s a great way to keep your restaurant at the top of their mind.

Remember, your top tiers are excellent sources of knowledge. Speak with them and find out what they think of your food, customer service, or loyalty scheme in general. Their feedback may assist you in improving your services and maintaining a genuine sense of worth for your VIPs.

Hold A Contest Or Special Event

Businesses always struggle to cultivate brand loyalty, but gamification is a potent solution. This might include competing with other customers on leaderboards, collecting buy points, or even unlocking more incentives as they go through tiers.

Here are a few ideas:

• Contests with culinary flair: Host a recipe contest. Ask customers to submit their twists on your signature dishes. The winner gets their creation featured on the menu.
• Special events with a splash: Plan a live music event, a themed quiz night, or even a culinary class so patrons can learn how to make their favorite meals at home. These activities generate a lasting impression that improves the rapport between your eatery and its patrons.

Friendly competition can go a long way in keeping customers engaged and returning for more.

For example, Paytronix and Gamescape partnered with the sports bar restaurant chain Greene Turtle to develop a brand-centric mobile loyalty program. They offer their patrons a variety of game-related incentives, such as $10 off meals or merchandise.

Their true fans may enjoy an exhaustive timetable of National Football League games and games to pass the time while waiting for dinner with the Greene Turtle Rewards app.

Special Menu Items For Loyalty Members

Want to show your loyal customers some extra love? Create a unique menu item—like a special invitation to gastronomic treats—just for them.

Like Starbucks has a secret menu. Starbucks lovers earn “Stars” for buy, which unlock seasonal menu items and drinks. These sometimes consist of special-edition, seasonal beverages, and food items inaccessible to the general public.

These special menu items foster a feeling of worth and gratitude for your devoted clients. At the same time, it also makes your restaurant more special than other restaurants.

Birthday and Anniversary Rewards

Offering personalized rewards for reaching these benchmarks is a great way to engage with your clients more personally and encourage loyalty.

One such example is Olive Garden. Their eClub members get complimentary birthday food or dessert. It’s a touch of warmth for their loyalty dinners. It gives their birthdays a unique touch and motivates them to celebrate at Olive Garden with this customized prize.

Referral Bonuses For Existing Customers

Give loyal clients a discount, free appetizer, etc., to introduce friends. This is like a virtual “thank you” for spreading the word and a tasty incentive for their friends to try your great food. It’s a win-win for everyone.

Keep the referral process easy. You can use a link, a shareable code, or even an in-app “refer a friend” feature. Also, you can advertise your referral program on your website, social media accounts, and even in-store signage.

One of the greatest referral bonuses for bringing new members is the Shake Shack. ShackFam members may earn free fries or burgers by referring a friend who downloads their app and makes their first buy.

Exclusive Access To Tasting Events

Give your VIPs the first taste. By giving them an early glimpse at the newest culinary delights, you prove that you appreciate their opinion and make them feel like real insiders.

Here’s the best part: News spreads quickly when it involves mouthwatering cuisine. Special guests will be eager to talk about your new menu items on social media even before they’re available to the public.

Points System With Diverse Redemption Options

Giving clients points and prizes keeps them coming back. A prime example is the well-known Starbucks Rewards program, which has a points system where users get stars for what they buy. Starbucks lovers can exchange their stars for free drinks, food, and unique things. 

Here’s the result: Starbucks has succeeded with 28.7 million active reward members. Happy customers, happy business. That hit the nail on the head and kept Starbucks fans coming back for seconds.

Luckily, you don’t have to own a global brand like Starbucks; you can still build points-based loyalty programs for restaurants. That means diners might add points and be able to free items with the buy-restaurant deal.

Loyalty Member-Only Nights Or Special Hours

By telling your regular customers they have special nights or hours, you might make them feel more valued. It’s as if they had their secret handshake or a golden key to a world of delicious delights.

For consumers who have an emotional connection to a brand, its lifetime value is 306% higher. You may build a connection with your most loyal customers by hosting these invite-only events.  

Social Media Engagement Contests

More than half of the world’s population now uses social media. It’s like a megaphone for your restaurant, and it’s a great way to get people excited about your deals! 

• Photo Finish: Run a picture competition! Get consumers to post photos of themselves savoring your delectable meal (imagine a Taco Tuesday selfie competition with “Nacho Average Tuesday”). Offer the most inventive surrender a complimentary dinner or some item.
• Hashtag (for a good cause): Create a fun hashtag associated with your offer (e.g., #WingItWednesday) and urge consumers to use it when sharing their experiences on social media.
• Giveaways: Declare a surprise giving of free food or goods. This is a fantastic method of showing appreciation for devoted followers and creating buzz.
• “Tag a Friend”: Encourage social sharing by asking followers to tag a friend they’d love to bring to your restaurant on a discount day. The more the merrier (and the more potential customers).

For example, Pizza Hut advertises itself on Instagram and keeps its followers updated on their stories to know where they can receive free pizza. These restaurant incentives for customers are quite easy to implemented, you should seriously consider it.

By combining these components, you can make interesting social media posts that encourage your followers to interact and tell others about the discounts you are offering to restaurant patrons.

Concluding Thoughts

Remember that the secret to a great loyalty program is knowing your customers and providing rewards they will find meaningful. A clever program with birthday gifts and invite-only parties fosters appreciation and friendship and keeps your delicious food in mind.

Thus, don’t hold off any longer! Your clientele will grow once you action these restaurant incentives for customers’ loyalty program ideas.

Do you have a Shopify website but need help to turn first-time diners into regulars? Look no further than BON Loyalty, your restaurant’s ultimate rewards and referrals program voted by Shopify merchants. This best Shopify loyalty app puts you in control with the following:

• Reward loyal customers with unlimited points, referral bonuses, and exciting VIP tiers.
• Customize your brand from the loyalty widget to email campaigns.
• Motivate repeat purchases with points awarded for online and in-store orders.
• A seamless experience with lightning-fast Shopify integration and 24/7 support.

Start your free BON Loyalty trial now and read about creative restaurant rewards on our blog!