In the midst of a soft economy and an industry with heightened brand competition, loyalty marketing, or the way in which restaurant operators market to the most faithful customers, has achieved a new level of importance. Loyalty marketing and rewards programs vary in terms of their size and scope, but they all share one goal: to recognize unwavering customers and keep them coming back.
Only about one third of consumers (36 percent) say they participate in a restaurant-based loyalty program. However, 80 percent agree they would sign up....