Jul. 7 at 12:41 PM
$CAVA $PBPB $SBUX $CMG Consumers may be pulling back on spending, but fast-casual chains have found at least one way to keep diners coming back: rewards programs. From Chipotle and Starbucks to Cava and Sweetgreen, restaurant brands are using loyalty programs to drive sales. More than 59% of Starbucks' U.S. company-owned transactions in the second quarter came from members of its rewards program, according to the coffee giant. Chipotle meanwhile said that, on average, its loyalty members make up about 30% of sales each day. Fast-casual chains are also getting more creative with their loyalty options, offering customers more flexibility in how they redeem rewards. It's paying off: After Potbelly revamped its rewards program in early 2024, it "saw a lift almost immediately in terms of engagement," the chain's chief marketing officer David Daniels said. "The response has been incredibly positive."
