Why Every Restaurant Needs a Loyalty Program in 2026

Acquiring a new customer costs 5-7x more than keeping an existing one. Repeat customers spend 67% more on average. Yet most independent restaurants have no system for encouraging return visits. A paper stamp card in a wallet that gets lost doesn't count.

The problem with paper loyalty cards

Paper stamp cards have a 90%+ loss rate. Customers forget them at home, they go through the wash, they end up in a drawer. Even when they do bring the card, there's no data. You have no idea who your best customers are, how often they visit, or what they order.

Digital loyalty programs solve every one of these problems. The card lives on the customer's phone. You get visit data, spending patterns, and the ability to send targeted offers. With Plattr, this starts at EUR 59/month on the Small plan.

Six types of loyalty programs

Plattr supports six different loyalty program types, and you can run multiple simultaneously. Here's what each one does and when to use it.

Stamp cards

The digital version of "buy 10, get 1 free." Guests earn a stamp per visit or per qualifying purchase. After collecting all stamps, they get a reward you define: a free coffee, a dessert, 20% off their next meal. Stamp cards work best for cafes and fast-casual restaurants where visit frequency matters most.

Points programs

Guests earn points based on how much they spend. Points can be redeemed for rewards at thresholds you set. A guest spending EUR 25 might earn 25 points, with a free appetizer at 200 points. Points programs reward spending, not just visits, making them ideal for full-service restaurants.

Cashback

Simple and transparent: guests get a percentage of their spending back as credit. 5% cashback means a EUR 50 dinner earns EUR 2.50 in credit. No mental math, no confusing point conversions. The balance shows on their digital card.

Coupons

Send targeted offers to specific customer segments. Birthday coupons, win-back campaigns for guests who haven't visited in 30 days, or seasonal promotions. Read more in our guide on birthday coupons and win-back campaigns.

Subscriptions

A monthly membership model. Guests pay a recurring fee (you set the price) and get defined benefits: one free coffee daily, 15% off all orders, priority booking. This model creates predictable recurring revenue. Learn more about subscription loyalty programs.

VIP Tiers (Pro plan)

Automatic tier progression based on spending or visits. Bronze, Silver, Gold, Platinum, each with increasing benefits. This is the most sophisticated program type and requires the Pro plan (EUR 249/month) for the tier management and automation features.

Apple Wallet and Google Wallet integration

Every loyalty card in Plattr can be added to Apple Wallet or Google Wallet. Guests tap "Add to Wallet" and their loyalty card appears right next to their credit cards and boarding passes. When they're near your restaurant, the card pops up automatically. No app to download, no account to create.

How scanning works

When a guest visits, your staff opens the Plattr scanner on any phone or tablet. The guest shows their QR code (from Apple Wallet, the web card, or the enrollment page), staff scans it, and the stamp/points/cashback is recorded instantly. The whole process takes under 3 seconds.

What it costs

All loyalty program types (stamps, points, cashback, coupons, subscriptions) are available on the Small plan at EUR 59/month, with up to 500 members. The Plus plan (EUR 139/month) increases the cap to 2,500 members and adds SMS/push notifications and basic campaigns. The Pro plan (EUR 249/month) adds VIP Tiers, NFC scanning, auto-detect, and advanced campaigns with unlimited members.

Compare all plans on the pricing page. Every plan includes digital menu features, analytics, and staff management.

Member engagement beyond the scan

A loyalty program is more than a transaction counter. It's a communication channel. Every time a guest scans their card, you have a touchpoint. Over time, you build a picture of their behavior: visit frequency, average spend, favorite time of day, response to promotions. This data powers smarter decisions about everything from staffing to menu design.

Plattr's customer profiles aggregate all this data automatically. Each loyalty member has a profile showing their total visits, total spend, active programs, and transaction history. On the Plus plan, you can segment members by behavior and send targeted campaigns. A member who hasn't visited in 21 days gets a different message than one who comes twice a week.

The enrollment funnel

Getting guests to enroll is the hardest part. Plattr gives you multiple enrollment channels. A QR code at the counter or on table tents. A link on your digital menu. A prompt on your Guide listing. The enrollment page is mobile-optimized and takes under 30 seconds to complete. The fewer steps, the higher the conversion rate. Name and optional email/phone is all you need.

Ready to turn one-time guests into regulars? Create your Plattr account and launch your first loyalty program today.