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As customers returning to restaurants prioritize loyalty programs and digital payments, many restaurants have adopted digital Loyalty, eGift Card, and related programs to complement recently-added online ordering and delivery services. In 2021, 86% of restaurant owners and operators reported using back-office data to leverage their loyalty programs and discount offers, and 50% of restaurants seeking new point-of-sale solutions prioritized native loyalty program capabilities.* Such programs are becoming so popular that one only has to look around their community to notice the growing trend.

One of the best ways restaurants can strategically compete in the growing loyalty market is to reward customer purchases and influence return visits with unique customer promotions. These help restaurants influence customer traffic and earn additional revenue that is often essential for sustaining the business during slower periods.

Here are some promotional strategies for food service businesses that utilize in-house Loyalty, Rewards, Coupons, and eGifts:

Restaurants can strategically compete in the growing loyalty market by rewarding customer purchases

Reward the Purchase of Specific Menu Items
Loyalty and Rewards are a great way for restaurants to encourage purchase of high-profit, specialty, or limited-time menu items. By rewarding purchases of specific menu items, customers enjoy their dining experience and are encouraged to return to reap more rewards during future visits.

Some reward strategies include:

• providing a free item based on a qualifying number of purchases
• an earned reward on a subsequent visit within a specified period
• immediately earned rewards based on a particular purchase
• discounts based on dollars spent

​Giveaways and Contests
Giveaways and contests provide customers an exciting and engaging way to learn more about an establishment, earn rewards for making purchases, and engage with the brand online and in-store. Restaurants can create fun interactions and reward customers with loyalty points when they share a post online with a unique hashtag, submit a vote for the best customer image at the restaurant, or by scheduling a delivery or online order. Rewards may include an entry to an eGift Card raffle or with exclusive discounts and complimentary menu items. Combining loyalty and gift card programs and incentives drives usage of both solutions, influencing more adoption and visits.

Entertainment and events can drive customer traffic during slower periods, gaining restaurants more profits that otherwise would be lost

Host and Promote Special Events
Now that customers are more willing to go out with family and friends, restaurants can leverage Loyalty, Coupons, and related programs to promote restaurant entertainment and in-store events. Ideas include hosting live music nights, sports game watch parties, trivia nights, or family game nights where customers can earn unique rewards and discounts on qualifying purchases. Because entertainment and events often drive customer traffic, events held during slower days of the week can gain restaurants more profits that otherwise would be lost.

Leverage Social Media to Increase Sales
Restaurants that use social media reach new customers with digital communication and enticing images of food, drinks, and the restaurant’s atmosphere. Social media also provides a means to gaining new customers. Restaurants can offer free menu items and discounts to customers in-store who “follow” and “share” a restaurant with their family and friends on social media platforms. Restaurants can even reward customers for completing purchases online when they use a link or QR code posted on a restaurant’s online social platforms or website.

Partner with Local Establishments
Loyalty and Rewards don’t have to be limited to a restaurant’s four walls or social media. By partnering with local establishments that offer complimentary products and services, owners and operators of both businesses increase traffic, gain revenue, and differentiate their offerings for improved customer experiences. QR code-based offers, specials, and promotions can be displayed in the restaurant and at partner establishments, complimenting each business’ services and offering bundle deals. For example, customers can enjoy 50% off of a round of golf when a customer frequents the restaurant. Conversely, a customer that completes a round of golf can enjoy a free appetizer or drink at the restaurant.

Restaurants can incentivize gift card purchases with loyalty and rewards credit

​Incentivize Physical and Digital Gift Card Programs
Restaurants can promote physical and eGift solutions by incentivizing gift card purchases with loyalty and rewards credit. Gift cards and rewards can be used to promote a new online ordering or delivery service to encourage more frequent orders. By rewarding customers for purchasing gift cards and utilizing online services, customers are encouraged to visit the restaurant more often and recommend a store’s loyalty and rewards program to family and friends. Online ordering reduces restaurant overhead while improving customer service options.

Aldelo Express All-Inclusive Loyalty and Reward Solutions
With Aldelo Express Cloud POS and its native Masa+ Online Ordering and Payments solution, restaurant owners customize and launch all-inclusive in-house Loyalty, Rewards, Coupon, eGift Card programs at zero additional cost. The solutions support a variety of campaigns that support dollar- and point-based program options and seamlessly integrate into a store’s online and in-store point of sale solutions from Aldelo Express.

Aldelo Express users create their own ecosystem with Android- and iOS-based devices that support ordering and payments for sit-down, takeout, curbside, event, and delivery operations. 

Aldelo Express is Always Updated
All Aldelo Express software releases and updates are issued FREE to qualified merchants and become instantly available via real-time cloud synchronization to the POS. This means Aldelo Express Cloud POS merchants continually receive updates to ensure every device is running the latest version software. Cloud back-office management and multi-level reports for both Masa+ and Aldelo Express enable owners and operators to determine the most valuable strategies for their customers and their business from any web-enabled device.

​Contact an Aldelo representative today to learn more at [email protected] or 925-621-2410​

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​Restaurants that use ultra-competitive
Aldelo Pay or Aldelo Partner Merchant Services
obtain access to
a Centralized Multi-Store Restaurant Technology Platform
that includes Masa+ Online Ordering,
Unlimited Software Releases,
​Unlimited Software Upgrades, and 24/7 Technical Support!


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Please contact an Aldelo representative today for more details, 
including a free Aldelo Express POS demo trial

[email protected] | 877-639-8767 | [email protected]

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* Hospitality Technology. "2022 POS Software Trends Report: Integration, Mobility & Analytics." 2021. Hospitalitytech.com