The Complete Guide to Restaurant Loyalty Programs

A loyalty program isn't just a marketing tool. It's a business model decision. The type of program you choose affects customer behavior, visit frequency, average spend, and your cost structure. This guide covers every loyalty model available in Plattr, with honest advice on when each one works and when it doesn't.

Stamp cards — simplicity wins

The concept is universal: visit X times, get a reward. Digital stamp cards in Plattr work the same way but live on the guest's phone, in Apple Wallet or Google Wallet. You set the number of stamps (typically 6-12) and the reward (free item, discount, special offer).

Best for: cafes, bakeries, fast-casual restaurants. Any place where visit frequency matters more than spend per visit. A coffee shop with a 10-stamp card sees 2-3x more repeat visits from enrolled members.

Setup in Plattr: create a stamp program, choose the stamp count, define the reward, select an icon from 59 food-themed options, pick a card layout (classic, grid, overlay, or badge). Done in 5 minutes.

Points programs — reward spending

Points are earned per euro spent. You define the earn rate (e.g., 1 point per EUR 1) and redemption thresholds (e.g., 100 points = EUR 5 credit). Points programs incentivize higher spending per visit, not just more visits.

Best for: full-service restaurants, fine dining, establishments where average check is EUR 30+. A guest spending EUR 80 on dinner earns 80 points. They're motivated to come back and keep accumulating.

The psychology is different from stamps. With stamps, every visit feels equal. With points, a bigger spend feels more rewarding. Choose based on what behavior you want to encourage.

Cashback — transparency above all

Cashback is the most transparent model. Spend EUR 100, get EUR 5 back (at 5%). No confusing conversions, no thresholds to reach. The credit accumulates and can be used on future visits.

Best for: restaurants that want a "set it and forget it" loyalty model. No stamp cards to explain, no point thresholds to remember. Guests understand cashback instantly because their bank already does it.

Coupons — targeted offers

Coupons are not a loyalty program in the traditional sense. They're a targeting tool. You create specific offers and send them to specific segments. A birthday coupon for the guest's birthday month. A win-back offer for guests who haven't visited in 30+ days. A seasonal promotion for a new menu launch.

Best for: any restaurant that wants to do targeted marketing without the ongoing overhead of a points or stamp system. Can run alongside other programs.

Subscription programs — predictable revenue

The membership model. Guests pay a monthly fee and receive ongoing benefits. A coffee shop might charge EUR 29/month for one free coffee daily. A restaurant might offer EUR 19/month for 15% off all orders plus priority booking.

Best for: places with high visit frequency and strong regulars. Read our detailed guide on subscription loyalty programs.

VIP Tiers — the prestige model

Automatic tier progression based on cumulative spending or visit count. Bronze → Silver → Gold → Platinum. Each tier unlocks better benefits. This is the model used by airlines and hotel chains. In Plattr, it's available on the Pro plan (EUR 249/month) because it requires the most configuration and automation.

Best for: restaurants with a wide range of spending levels and a desire to identify and reward their top 10% of customers.

Running multiple programs

Plattr lets you run multiple loyalty programs simultaneously. A common setup: a stamp card for your lunch crowd (quick visits, want a free coffee after 10) plus a points program for your dinner crowd (higher spend, want credit toward a special dinner).

Each program has its own enrollment link, its own QR code, and its own tracking. Guests can be enrolled in multiple programs.

The technology layer

Every program integrates with Apple Wallet and Google Wallet. Scanning takes under 3 seconds. The Insights Hub shows you which programs perform best. Your digital menu can link to enrollment pages. And everything is managed from one dashboard on plattr.me.

Pricing

All program types except VIP Tiers are available from the Small plan (EUR 59/month, 500 members). Plus (EUR 139/month) adds 2,500 members, SMS/push, and basic campaigns. Pro (EUR 249/month) adds VIP Tiers, NFC, auto-detect, advanced campaigns, and unlimited members. Free tier includes Plattr Bonus Card through the Guide.

See the full plan comparison on the pricing page.

Pick the right model for your restaurant. Sign up for Plattr and launch your loyalty program today.