Loyalty cannot be bought… but it can be cultivated intelligently .
In a market where customers are solicited from all sides, providing a good experience is no longer enough: you need to give people a good reason to come back — and the tools to do so.
This is where loyalty programs and gift cards come in. Simple to set up and powerful in the long run, they can increase your revenue while strengthening your relationship with your customers.
Why does it work?
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A loyalty program creates a concrete motivation to return (rewards, exclusive benefits, recognition).
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A gift card generates advance sales and allows you to reach new customers without advertising costs.
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These two tools enhance the relationship with your regular customers while expanding your customer base .
Implement an effective loyalty program
You don't need a complex system. Here are some simple models that work:
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Stamp card (physical or digital): “1 free dish after 10 visits”
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Points can be accumulated via a POS or an app (e.g.: $1 = 1 point, 100 points = $10)
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Birthday or celebration reward (e.g., free dessert or exclusive discount)
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Offers reserved for members (early access to a menu, on-site promotion only)
Best practices:
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Keep the mechanics simple and clear
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Automate reminders via email or SMS (e.g., “You are 2 visits away from a free meal!”)
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Publicly promote loyal customers (e.g., regulars' wall, personalized surprises)
Maximizing the impact of gift cards
Gift cards aren't just for the holiday season:
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Offer them online and in-store (e.g., at the checkout, on your website, on your delivery platforms)
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Offer a purchase bonus : “Buy $50, get $10 more”
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Use them in your acquisition or retention campaigns: “Give a card to a friend = receive a free dessert on your next visit”
Connecting loyalty and digital marketing
A good loyalty program can fuel your other marketing efforts:
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Integration with your CRM or POS : to send targeted offers based on purchasing habits
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Automatic segmentation of your loyal customers for email campaigns
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Personalized targeting in advertising: for example, re-targeting your inactive members with a special offer
Example of a successful loyalty program for restaurants
Recommended structure (simple and scalable)
|
Program Element |
Description |
|---|---|
|
Membership |
Free, in the room or via QR code on invoice |
|
Points |
$1 spent = 1 point |
|
Awards |
100 pts = dessert / 250 pts = $10 / 500 pts = complete menu |
|
Loyalty bonus |
Double points on Mondays and Tuesdays |
|
Birthday offer |
Email with free dessert or $5 off |
|
Referral Program |
Invite a friend = $5 for each |
|
VIP status |
5 visits/month = access to exclusive offers |
Top deals that work in catering
|
Type of offer |
What works well |
|---|---|
|
Free after X visits |
Easy to understand, keeps you coming back |
|
Exclusive member offers |
Strengthens the sense of belonging |
|
Birthday discount |
High conversion rate, values the customer |
|
Double points |
Useful boost to fill empty days |
|
Referral Reward |
Encourages low-cost word of mouth |
Comparison of loyalty platforms for restaurants
|
Platform |
Highlights |
Boundaries |
Ideal for… |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Freebees |
✅ Quebec platform ✅ Simple POS integration ✅ Cashback or points |
❌ Limited automations❌ UX could be improved |
Neighborhood restaurant or small local chain |
|
DataCandy |
✅ Advanced Analytics✅ Lightspeed Integration✅ Automated Marketing |
❌ Higher cost❌ Initial complexity |
Growing chains or franchise networks |
|
Vicinity |
✅ Easy to use ✅ Segmentation & targeted promotions |
❌ Less customizable |
Multi-site restaurants & community cafes |
|
Stamp Me / Loyal Zoo |
✅ Affordable✅ Easy-to-deploy digital stamp cards |
❌ Little analytical data❌ Limited integration |
Food trucks or small establishments |
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Freebees is ideal if you are just starting out or want a local and simple solution.
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DataCandy is best suited for networks that want to centralize data and automate marketing .
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The right choice will depend on your existing tools (POS, CRM), customer volume, and your level of digital maturity.
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Conclusion
Gift cards and loyalty programs aren't "gimmicks": they're powerful retention levers that increase your sales without increasing your advertising costs.
By integrating them into your customer experience and marketing, you turn occasional visits into habits… and loyal customers into brand ambassadors.
If you want to structure your growth, build customer loyalty, and maximize the profitability of your digital channels, explore our specialized restaurant marketing approach designed for local restaurateurs.
