Apps the ‘best way to build customer loyalty in restaurants’

Online restaurant directories are great for helping new customers discover restaurants.

But to ensure the customers remain loyal, an app is the best answer.

According to research commissioned by Judo Payments,  71 per cent of UK consumers are more likely to return to a restaurant if it offers a loyalty scheme.

A further 65 per cent of them would download a restaurant’s app to access offers and deals. While 80 per cent would return to a restaurant to benefit from in-app loyalty schemes.

To promote the benefit of owning an app and its services, judo is giving away a fully branded app worth up to £30,000 and one year of free card processing worth up to £100,000 to one lucky restaurant.

Research commissioned by Judo found that UK consumers are frequently using their mobile devices to order meals through restaurants directories like Just Eat.

The research survey reveals that 26 per cent of mobile users use directory apps to find new places to eat locally while 21 per cent use them when are away from their home town.

Almost a third of people use these directories because of their convenience.

Judo CEO  Dennis Jones said: “Services like Just Eat are pushing the food industry to mobile. They’re helping restaurants everywhere to be discovered by new customers every day.”

A restaurant listing on Just Eat is great for letting new customers find you, but what about keeping them coming back?

Services like Just Eat let a restaurant be discovered, but the customer loyalty belongs to Just Eat, not the restaurant.

Jones added: “A competitive restaurant needs to offer the convenience of an online directory whilst maintaining ownership of their customer relationship. A bespoke mobile app for a restaurant achieves this. It makes it easy for customers to find you, order and pay, whilst allowing the restaurant owner to retain customers through loyalty schemes and offers.”

Judo’s research reveals that 71% of UK consumers are more likely to return to a restaurant, bar or café if it offers special deals and loyalty schemes. 65% of respondents said they would download an app to access offers and deals.

Whilst 80% of respondents confirmed that they would return to a restaurant to benefit from in-app loyalty schemes. To promote the benefit of owning an app and its services, judo is giving away an app worth up to £30,000 with one year or £100,000 of free card processing.

With the cost for the first year being zero, the winning restaurant will see a high return of investment on this channel.

Restaurant owners who are interested in participating in this giveaway can visit connect.judopay.com/ win-a-free-restaurant-app before the giveaway closes on 15th.

Please contact hello@judopay.com for any enquiries.