10-Minute Guide to Restaurant Omnichannel Loyalty (2025)

Estimated Reading Time: 10 minutes

Loyalty shouldn’t stop at the counter and it’s more than a sad “Buy 10 Get 1 Free” stamp you forgot about in your wallet three years ago.

In 2025, loyalty should be a full-blown experience. From mobile ordering and delivery apps, to dine-in and drive-thru, the top-performing restaurants you hear about today are investing in omnichannel loyalty programs that meet customers wherever they are, be it a kiosk or a table reservation.

The best part of it all? You don’t even need to be a McDonald’s to make it work. With the right loyalty program, even small restaurants can build a system that doesn’t just reward behavior, but fosters emotional connection and loyalty that keeps customers lining up for more. Don’t just take our word for it, stats agree. 83% of customers say they’re more loyal to brands that offer consistency across departments. This proves that loyalty is no longer just about discounts, but about delivering a smooth experience across all customer touchpoints.

In this guide, we break down the what, why, and how of restaurant omnichannel loyalty. We’ll also include real-life loyalty marketing program examples to help you launch your own in just minutes.

What Is Omnichannel Loyalty and Why Does It Matter?

Omnichannel loyalty means your loyalty program follows your customers everywhere. It connects your sales and communication channels, all into one unified experience. For example, McDonald’s had 40 million app downloads in the U.S. in 2022. When a customer pays through the app, they earn points. When they pay at the counter or at the drive-thru, they still earn points. They can then redeem those points on any channel.

This is omnichannel loyalty in action.

But what does this mean for your restaurant? Instead of having just one loyalty program for dine-ins and a different one for your delivery app, an omnichannel loyalty software ensures your customer can earn and redeem points seamlessly across all touchpoints.

But beyond technical convenience, omnichannel loyalty matters because it builds trust and emotional connection between you and your customers. When rewards are consistent and easy to use, customers feel recognized and understood. Like a friend who remembers your usual order and your birthday. This drives stronger loyalty than any discount ever could.

Still not fully convinced? Take one of the biggest restaurant chains—McDonald’s, launched MyMcDonald’s Rewards in 2021. Fast forward three years, it had grown to over 175 million active users and generated $30 billion in loyalty-driven sales. That’s the power of a well-integrated loyalty program.

Needless to say, omnichannel isn’t a trend, but the future of restaurant marketing—and it’s happening now.

How Restaurants Are Using Omnichannel Loyalty in 2025

Let’s take a look at how global brands are turning loyalty into real results, using software-driven strategies that you can replicate—no matter your size.

MyMcDonald’s Rewards

McDonald’s has become the gold standard in omnichannel loyalty. With their loyalty program fully integrated across mobile apps, kiosks, and even drive-thrus, their customers earn and redeem points in a way that feels natural. No friction, nada. They’ve made loyalty part of the routine. For instance, customers can easily tap into the app for a quick reorder or link rewards to a digital wallet. That ease has translated into serious ROI (return on invesment): McDonald’s saw an increase in visit frequency compared to non-members. This proves that when brands deliver consistent experiences across channels, they win long-term loyalty.

Key highlights

• Fully integrated across mobile, kiosks, and drive-thrus
• Real-time personalization and data tracking
• Over 175 million active users and $30 billion in sales
• Continuous engagement through the app

So, it’s safe to conclude that McDonald’s loyalty app isn’t just about free McFlurries—it’s about creating a continuous data-driven relationship with the customer, all by using an omnichannel loyalty software to personalize offers and track behaviors in real-time.

Chipotle Rewards

Chipotle’s loyalty strategy hinges on emotional connection. In practice, this means their omnichannel loyalty program combines mobile, website, and in-store data to create a uniquely gamified experience. Their loyalty members can earn badges for specific order behaviors, personalized “Extra Points Days“, and targeted emails that feel more like an inside joke than a mass blast.

Yes, you’re basically rewarded for your participation. It’s like a report card. But instead of grades, you get guac!

Key highlights

• Cross-channel gamification and engagement
• Personalized rewards and behavior-based campaigns
• 37.4% of 2023 revenue from online purchases driven by loyalty
• Automation and emotional relevance built-in

The results were impressive. Chipotle’s revenue stemmed from online purchases, many of which were heavily influenced by loyalty program engagement. Their secret sauce lies in their omnichannel loyalty program that delivers personalization, automation, and emotional relevance.

Shake Shack Rewards

Shake Shack entered the omnichannel loyalty space in 2025. Although they’ve just recently launched it, they saw instant results. Their loyalty program spans online orders, app purchases, and in-store kiosks. Customers can earn points regardless of where and how they order. In just months after the launch, they reported an uplift in visit frequency among loyalty members. After all, 83% of customers say consistency across every channel directly impacts their loyalty.

Key highlights

• Points earned across all ordering methods (online, app, kiosk)
• Plug-and-play setup integrated with existing systems
• Simple UX, no learning curve
• Significant boost in visit frequency post-launch

All there is to do is simply show up, order, and earn. What really makes it work is the focus on ease: Shake Shack uses an omnichannel loyalty program that plugs directly into their existing tech stack, the UX is simple, and the rewards feel elevated. Translation: You won’t need a tech degree to figure it out, and the perks actually feel worth it.

4 Benefits of Going Omnichannel

A well-executed restaurant omnichannel loyalty program does more than improve customer experience—it creates long-term business value. Here’s how:

1. Rewards Without Limits

Customers earn and redeem across every channel: dine-in, takeaway, even third-party delivery apps. Whether they’re in a booth, a drive-thru, or panic-ordering from an app at 11:59PM, your customers can still rack up points. This kind of flexibility keeps customers engaged wherever they may be and ensures they don’t feel shortchanged.

2. Smarter Data and Personalization

Integrated loyalty software helps you collect and unify customer data across multiple platforms, giving you a 360-degree view of your customer’s behavior. You’ll know what and when they’ll order, and how often they order. This fosters personalized incentives.

3. Frequent Visits

Studies show loyalty members visit restaurants 35% more frequently than non-loyalty members. Throw in a well-timed push notification, and you’re practically whispering, “Hey, your favorite’s waiting,” straight into their phones.

4. Deeper Brand Emotional Connection and Loyalty

Consistency builds trust. When your loyalty program has a touch of thoughtfulness, it reinforces your brand promise. Customers are more likely to return, recommend, and remember.

How to Launch Your Restaurant
Omnichannel Loyalty in 5 Minutes

Let us let you in on a little secret: you don’t even have to build this from scratch. Today’s loyalty program tools make it fast and accessible, even for small restaurant teams. Here’s how you can get started in 5 minutes:

Set Your Objectives: Always begin with an objective. When you set a goal for your restaurant, you set realistic expectations, making it easier to map out your plans. Skip this step, things could get messy which could hurt your brand in the long run.

Choose a Loyalty Program: When it comes to picking your loyalty program, always ensure it integrates with your POS (point of sale) system and delivery apps.

Set Universal Earning/Redeeming Rules: By doing this, the experience will flow smoothly and be more consistent across every channel.

Automate Engagement: Send out SMS, emails, or app notifications when customers unlock rewards or haven’t visited in a while.

Monitor KPIs (Key Performance Indicators): Use built-in dashboards to track redemption rates, visit frequencies, and revenue from loyalty program members.

You don’t need to overcomplicate anything. No consultants, no headaches. Just the right omnichannel loyalty program and a strategy.

Key Takeaways for Restaurant Owners

• Restaurant omnichannel loyalty is the standard now. Customers expect to experience this at every restaurant.
• It’s not just about the points, but also building brand emotional connection and loyalty across every customer checkpoint.
• Real-world omnichannel loyalty marketing program examples proves this strategy works at a scale, and you can start small and expand from here.

Conclusion

Omnichannel loyalty isn’t just for the big players anymore—it’s a game-changer for any restaurant that wants to grow sustainably. The future of loyalty is fluid and moves with your customers. Whether you’re a cozy cafe or a fast-casual chain, today’s loyalty program tools make it easier than ever to show up for your customers in the right place, at the right time. Remember, a restaurant omnichannel loyalty program isn’t just for the big names. And if you’re still relying on just one channel, it’s time to upgrade.

Because loyalty doesn’t just live in one place anymore—and neither do your customers. Now’s the perfect time to reimagine what loyalty could look like for your restaurant.

Ready to start? Build loyalty that not only moves with your customer—but grows with you!