5 steps to growing your restaurant’s customer loyalty and boosting revenue

When it comes to running a successful restaurant, customer loyalty is everything. Regular customers not only provide a steady stream of revenue, but they also become your best brand ambassadors, sharing their positive experiences with friends, family, and on social media. Building and maintaining customer loyalty should therefore be a priority for every restaurant owner. But how can you make sure you’re doing it right?

Here are five tried-and-true strategies to build stronger relationships with your customers and boost your restaurant’s revenue.

1. Get to know your customers and personalise their experience with data

Customer loyalty starts with truly understanding who your customers are. You may recognize the faces of your regular customers and perhaps even know their nicknames. But do you have their contact details, do you know the best way to communicate with them, and what do they purchase?This is where a restaurant CRM platform can make all the difference.
A CRM system helps you understand which types of benefits or events resonate most with your customers. With these insights, you can tailor your marketing and rewards accordingly. For example, if customers frequently respond to lunch discounts, you can send them exclusive lunch offers to encourage their return.
This approach fosters a sense of recognition and relevance, showing customers that you care. It’s this thoughtful, personalised service that keeps them coming back time and again.

Why it works:

Studies show that 78% of customers are more likely to buy from a company that provides a personalised experience. With the help of a restaurant CRM, this process becomes seamless, letting you connect with your customers in ways that feel natural and meaningful.

2. Launch a digital loyalty program

Loyalty programs have been around for years, but now, digital programs are leading the way. Offering your customers an easy way to earn rewards—such as discounts, free items, or exclusive offers—can drive repeat business and build long-term loyalty.
A restaurant loyalty program integrated with your POS system makes it easy for you to see what your customers prefer. And using digital member cards within your app helps customers easily access their benefits, promoting further engagement. The best part? You can track the results to see what’s working and what isn’t.

Why it works:

Research indicates that loyal customers spend up to 67% more than new customers, and businesses that offer loyalty programs see an average increase in sales of 5% to 10% annually. A digital loyalty program doesn’t just incentivise repeat visits—it helps build a long-term relationship that keeps customers returning.

3. Engage your customers with timely messaging

One of the biggest challenges restaurants face is staying top of mind. Customers can easily forget about a restaurant if they don’t feel engaged. Push notifications, in-app messaging, and emails can help you stay connected with your customers and ensure your restaurant is the first place they think of when hunger or thirst strikes.
For example, sending a timely reminder about a special offer or a weekend event can keep customers engaged and encourage them to visit more often.

Why it works:

Personalised messages lead to a 29% increase in customer engagement, and customers who receive timely updates about benefits and events are more likely to take action.

4. Offer exclusive experiences for loyal customersaille

Kaikista on ihana tuntea itsensä erityiseksi. Tarjoamalla eksklusiivisia kokemuksia uskollisille asiakkaille – kuten VIP-tapahtumia tai mahdollisuutta tutustua uusiin ruokalistoihin ennen muita

– voi vahvistaa heidän yhteyttään ravintolaasi. Segmentoimalla tietyn asiakasryhmän voit luoda etuja, jotka on räätälöity erityisesti heille. Esimerkiksi voit helposti luoda digitaalisia kanta-asiakaskortteja ryhmille, kuten jalkapallojoukkueille tai yrityksille, tarjoten heille eksklusiivisia etuja. Tämä varmistaa, että kanta-asiakkaasi tuntevat itsensä arvostetuiksi ja ovat todennäköisempiä jatkamaan suhdettaan ravintolaasi.

Why it works:

Exclusivity builds loyalty. Research shows that 58% of customers are more likely to return to a brand that makes them feel like VIPs. Exclusive benefits also create a sense of urgency, which drives engagement and increases visit frequency.

5. Leverage social media to build a community

In today’s digital world, social media isn’t just a place to share updates—it’s also a powerful tool for building relationships with your customers. By engaging with your audience on platforms like Instagram and Facebook, you can create a sense of community around your restaurant.

Encourage your customers to share their experiences on social media by offering incentives such as a benefit for tagging your restaurant in their posts. Sharing user-generated content not only helps build trust but also increases your restaurant’s exposure.

Why it works:

Social media helps create emotional connections. 71% of consumers are more likely to make a purchase based on social media referrals. When customers feel like they’re part of your restaurant’s story, they become more likely to share their experiences and return for more.

The bottom line

Building customer loyalty isn’t just about offering benefits or rewards. It’s about creating meaningful experiences that make your customers feel valued and appreciated. By using a combination of data, loyalty programs, timely messaging, exclusive experiences, and social media engagement, you can turn one-time visitors into lifelong patrons who return to your restaurant again and again.

Ready to take your customer loyalty to the next level? Try Cluby’s digital loyalty platform already today!
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Sources:

  1. CleverAge. Five Trends Shaping the Future of Customer Loyalty. Link
  2. Harvard Business Review. The value of keeping the right customers. Link
  3. Retail Dive. Despite Expectations of Personalization, Most Shoppers Don’t Want to Share. Link


More Frequent Visits

Loyal customers visit 90% more often, spend 60% more, and are 5x more likely to choose your restaurant again. Loyalty builds lasting relationships and consistent revenue.

Increased Revenue & Lifetime Value

A 5% boost in loyalty can increase profits by up to 95%. CLUBY helps restaurants unlock this potential with tools that grow customer lifetime value and drive spending.

Fewer Losses, More Repeat Business

Loyal customers visit 90% more often, spend 60% more, and are 5x more likely to choose your restaurant again. Loyalty builds lasting relationships and consistent revenue.

Higher Return Rates

A 5% boost in loyalty can increase profits by up to 95%. CLUBY helps restaurants unlock this potential with tools that grow customer lifetime value and drive spending.

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