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6 new and revamped loyalty and rewards programs that are shaking up the restaurant industry6 new and revamped loyalty and rewards programs that are shaking up the restaurant industry

From Jimmy John’s new gamification add-ons to Starbucks foray into the metaverse, loyalty programs are changing rapidly

Joanna Fantozzi, Senior Editor

January 18, 2023

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Loyalty programs 1.0 were the simple punch cards of days-gone by: 10 visits get you a free entrée or drink. The second iteration of loyalty programs became popular in the years leading up to the pandemic as Starbucks popularized the digital loyalty program and made it easier and more customizable than ever before. Now, as customers become more discerning and omnichannel demands grow, loyalty and rewards programshave grown up with them. 

We’ve noticed an uptick in the number of brands that are adding loyalty programs or upgrading and revamping existing rewards programs to add more features like personalization, customization, and gamification. Several are even venturing into the murky waters of the metaverse, with or without NFT programs and cryptocurrency.

Here are seven restaurant brands that have added or changed their loyalty/rewards programs over the past several months:

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About the Author

Joanna Fantozzi

Senior Editor

Joanna Fantozzi is a Senior Editor for Nation’s Restaurant News and Restaurant Hospitality. She has more than seven years of experience writing about the restaurant and hospitality industry. Her editorial coverage ranges from profiles of independent restaurants around the country to breaking news and insights into some of the biggest brands in food and beverage, including Starbucks, Domino’s, and Papa John’s.  

Joanna holds a bachelor’s degree in English literature and creative writing from The College of New Jersey and a master’s degree in arts and culture journalism from the Craig Newmark Graduate School of Journalism at CUNY. Prior to joining Informa’s Restaurants and Food Group in 2018, she was a freelance food, culture, and lifestyle writer, and has previously held editorial positions at Insider (formerly known as Business Insider) and The Daily Meal. Joanna’s work can also be found in The New York Times, Forbes, Vice, The New York Daily News, and Parents Magazine. 

Her areas of expertise include restaurant industry news, restaurant operator solutions and innovations, and political/cultural issues.

Joanna Fantozzi has been a moderator and event facilitator at both Informa’s MUFSO and Restaurants Rise industry events. 

Joanna Fantozzi’s experience:

Senior Editor, Informa Restaurant & Food Group (August 2021-present)

Associate Editor, Informa Restaurant & Food Group (July 2019-August 2021)

Assistant Editor, Informa Restaurant & Food Group (Oct. 2018-July 2019)

Freelance Food & Lifestyle Reporter (Feb. 2018-Oct. 2018)

Food & Lifestyle Reporter, Insider (June 2017-Feb. 2018)

News Editor, The Daily Meal (Jan. 2014- June 2017)

Staff Reporter, Straus News (Jan. 2013-Dec. 2013)

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