Capturing data
But it’s not just the increase in visits and spending that make loyalty programs valuable. Mulligan points out that data from these programs can be leveraged for tactical business and marketing decisions, with artificial intelligence sussing out hidden patterns and trends that impact relations with all guests, not just rewards members.
In short, operators can get to know not only who their customers are, what locations they frequent, and when they visit, but also what their favorite menu items are, what motivates them, etc. While loyalty programs can vary significantly, Paytronix has broken them into five distinct categorie.
The most popular approach is the automatic conversion model, wherein rewards are earned after points (earned with each dollar) hit a certain amount. However, the bankable version is close behind, thanks to its flexible structure, which allows consumers to choose not only when they redeem their points but also what rewards they receive.
“It’s the one I’m seeing the most,” Mulligan says of recently launched plans.
Some chains use a combination of schemes, but they all help operators gather megabytes of data about their customers. Increasingly sophisticated mobile apps make it easy for guests to tap into the loyalty programs—and for businesses to tailor interactions with those guests.
Casual burger chain Red Robin’s successful loyalty program, Red Robin Royalty, hit 10 million members last year—a record high in guest engagement. Still, the company opted to freshen up the program, which now includes a new mobile app and an upgraded website, creating what company officials have touted as an integrated and seamless digital ecosystem.
“The previous program had seen a great deal of success,” says Darla Morse, chief information officer of the suburban Denver-based chain. The new one, however, “allows us to take the program to the next level” by better understanding the behaviors and patterns of guests and allowing diners to link the app to their Facebook or Apple accounts, she adds.
Red Robin’s program is basically a qualified-visits plan. The key rewards are that every 10th item is free and members get a free burger during their birthday month. There is also a bit of the surprise aspect to the program, thanks to exclusive rewards and special offers.
“The program was developed with the ‘buy nine, get the 10th one free’ and the birthday burger. As we talked to guests, they said they loved that,” Morse points out. “We’ve kept that and can drive [the relationship] higher with the surprise-and-delight messaging.”
One big difference is that the new digital experience removed some of the technological limitations of the old plan, says Jonathan Muhtar, chief concept officer at Red Robin. “The base design for consumers is the same, but the relevancy is improved.”
As a result, the company’s surprise opportunities can be customized to the guest. For example, a key demographic for Red Robin is families with kids, so knowing which loyalty members order kids’ meals gives the chain an opportunity to target them with, say, a 30 percent-off offer.
Logan’s Roadhouse launched its new Logan’s Rewards program and app late last year.
“The feedback we’ve received so far has been positive from guests and operators,” Lee says. It also turns out that plan participants to date tend to have a higher check average.
Rewards members can do everything from placing an order to paying for it from their mobile devices, all while building points they can cash in for rewards. While points-based loyalty programs had already existed for some of SPB Hospitality’s other brands, including Old Chicago, the Logan’s plan is unique in its mobile-first design.
In this bankable points program, in which a point is earned for each dollar spent, members can redeem them for $5 off a minimum $20 purchase when they reach 100 points, a free appetizer for 150 points, or a free entrée for 200 points. They also get a free dessert for their birthday,
While it’s a plus for the company to get more frequent and higher-spending visits by rewards members, the program also benefits Logan’s.
“It allows us to get a richer perspective of the guest and a view into what they are purchasing and how they are motivated,” Lee says. Plus, there is the opportunity to directly communicate with them more personally and on a more fequent basis.
Putting a premium on loyalty
Iron Hill also employs a points system with its King of the Hill rewards program, but there is one big difference from other loyalty plans: The company requires consumers to pay a $20 initiation fee to join the program, which operates almost like a club.
Even with the buy-in, King of the Hill has garnered more than 100,000 members across the chain’s 20 locations in five states. “We’re proud of this membership level,” Westcott says.
Members earn a point for every dollar spent on food purchases, and they also get 150 bonus points when their first check closes and 50 bonus points for their first check-in on the program’s mobile app. Points can build up, with guests getting $20 off for every 200 points they redeem.
Other benefits include a member-exclusive 22-ounce mug of beer for the cost of a pint, free appetizer or dessert on their King of the Hill anniversary, invitations to events like appreciation nights that feature half-price growlers, and updates on various events.
For its part, the loyalty program upgrade has translated to better insights. Still, some of the most impactful information has been suggestions and feedback Iron Hill has received when it solicits its members’ thoughts.
“We’re getting better data now,” Westcott says. “It just opened the doors to communication in a more significant fashion.”
Going forward, the CEO expects the program to evolve, and one idea being launched later this month is the chain’s beer club subscription program, which was offered first to King of the Hill members. The club will package four 16-ounce beers brewed exclusively for the club quarterly.
“I think everybody is trying to figure out a way to keep that customer,” he says. A loyalty program “creates a cyclical behavior, and it allows you to really connect with them.”
The 5 Loyalty Models
Automatic conversion: Points are earned by members for each dollar spent, and when a specific threshold is met, the points are converted into a reward.
Bankable point: Members build points based on the amount they spend, redeeming them for available rewards when they want. The points are earned, tracked, and stored in a personal account.
Qualified visits: Visits add up for each time a member dines at a brand unit. At a certain threshold, the points automatically convert into a reward, reward dollars, or a discount.
Surprise and delight: In this less common program, loyalty members earn rewards and perks unexpectedly rather than accumulating points over time.
Layered/Other: These could be a tiered program, where more spending earns richer rewards, or perhaps a subscription plan, in which guests have access to pay for special food and/or beverage offerings.