In a world where customer acquisition is expensive and competition is fierce, loyalty programs are one of the smartest ways to keep guests coming back. But not all restaurant loyalty programs are created equal. The best ones are simple, digital-first, and integrated with your existing systems—including your digital menu boards.
Let’s discuss how loyalty programs can drive repeat visits, increase average spend, and create brand advocates—and how platforms like Evergreen can help you display and promote them effortlessly.
Why Loyalty Programs Matter
According to research from Paytronix and PYMNTS, 57% of restaurant customers are more likely to return when there’s a reward involved. And it’s not just about freebies. Loyalty programs create emotional connections, drive spending, and help you gather valuable data.
Benefits of Loyalty Programs:
Boost customer retention
Increase ticket size
Collect customer insights
Encourage upselling and cross-selling
Create a sense of exclusivity and community
Common Loyalty Program Structures
You don’t have to reinvent the wheel—just pick the structure that works for your concept and customers:
Points-Based: Customers earn points per dollar spent and redeem them for discounts or rewards.
Visit-Based: “Buy 9, get the 10th free” style programs.
Tiered Programs: More frequent customers unlock better perks over time.
Surprise & Delight: Random rewards to loyal customers (e.g. free appetizer after 5 visits).
Referral Bonuses: Reward customers who bring in new guests.
Digital Loyalty Tools to Consider
Make sure your loyalty program is easy to join, track, and redeem—digitally. Modern systems integrate with your POS and digital menu software to offer a seamless experience.
Top Tools That Integrate with Evergreen:
Square Loyalty
Toast Loyalty
Belly
Paytronix
Punchh
These platforms allow you to create custom rewards, track customer activity, and automatically sync updates to Evergreen displays.
How Evergreen Helps Promote Loyalty
Your loyalty program is only effective if people know it exists. That’s where Evergreen comes in.
Ways Evergreen Supports Loyalty Programs:
Highlight loyalty rewards directly on your digital menu
Use banners for double-point days or happy hour deals
Display QR codes to enroll on the spot
Promote referrals or exclusive member-only perks
Auto-update promotional graphics by location or time
Example: A brewery using Evergreen can display a rotating banner that says, “Earn 2X points on IPA pints today!” and automatically remove it after the promo ends.
Real-World Results
Restaurants that promote loyalty visually (not just at checkout) see better engagement. One Evergreen client reported a 23% boost in loyalty signups after displaying rewards on their beer menu TVs during happy hour.
Another saw increased lunch traffic when using dayparting features to spotlight lunch-specific loyalty perks between 11 AM and 2 PM.
Best Practices for Loyalty Program Success
Keep it simple: Avoid complex rules or confusing tiers.
Make it visible: Use Evergreen’s display tools to showcase rewards and sign-up instructions.
Train your team: Staff should be able to explain the benefits quickly.
Use data: Track what rewards drive action and adjust accordingly.
More Than A Punch Card
The best loyalty programs are more than just a punch card—they’re a part of your guest experience, your marketing strategy, and your brand identity. With Evergreen, you can bring your loyalty program to life visually and dynamically, where your guests are already looking: your menu.
👉 Start your free trial or schedule a demo to learn how Evergreen can help you promote loyalty and drive repeat visits.
