With the cost of living still putting pressure on wallets, loyalty schemes have become a lifeline for both restaurants trying to keep their tables full and customers looking to make their money go further.
In an industry where foot traffic can be unpredictable, it’s the regulars that really make the difference. And what better way to keep people coming back than with a few fun, tasty rewards? Loyalty has also become about more than discounts, it’s one of the most reliable ways for restaurants to build first-party data and drive repeat orders, rather than relying on one-off promotions.
So, what are the best restaurant loyalty schemes in the UK for 2026? From free pizza upgrades to birthday burritos, let’s take a look at the schemes giving diners a reason to come back for seconds (and thirds).
Best Restaurant Loyalty Schemes in 2026
Gone are the days of scrappy stamp cards. The top restaurant loyalty programs today, especially at big UK chains, are digital, mobile-first, and live right in your pocket with easy-to-use apps. And they’re not just about free food (though that’s a big bonus).
The programs setting the standard now share a few things in common: app-based rewards that make joining and redeeming effortless, personalised offers delivered through CRM, email and SMS rather than blanket discounts, tiered or hybrid structures that reward your best customers more, and gamification through challenges or streaks that make visiting feel like progress. Underneath all of it, loyalty has become one of the most valuable first-party data engines a restaurant has, giving you a direct line to customers that doesn’t rely on a platform algorithm.
Propeller's picks: Best restaurant loyalty programs in the UK (2026)
PizzaExpress Club – app rewards and habit building
A firm family-favourite and date night classic, Pizza Express is giving back to loyal customers in delicious ways. Their PizzaExpress Club app is simple: the more often you visit, the better your perks. Start off with free dough balls just for joining, then work your way through the tiers— Bronze, Silver, Gold—to unlock even better rewards.
Gold members? You’re looking at free Romana pizza upgrades, kid’s meals on the house on weekdays, and even 50% off all pizzas during promotional periods, like January. Basically, loyalty has never tasted so good.
Structure: Tiered loyalty program (Bronze, Silver, Gold)
Rewards: Free starters, dough balls, pizza upgrades, free birthday treats
Standout feature: Personalised offers based on visit frequency—plus surprise deals throughout the year
Zizzi – digital perks and repeat-visit incentives
Who doesn’t want to be a zillionaire? Zizzi’s brings the energy with its Zillionaire’s Club—a loyalty scheme that doesn’t take itself too seriously but delivers seriously good perks.
Earn Zs (their version of points) every time you dine in, grab takeaway, or refer a friend. What do Zs get you? Think free food, drinks, birthday treats and a 25% discount on Click & Collect. Every fourth visit unlocks a Surprise Perk too—just to keep things interesting.
Structure: Point-based system (Zs) through visits, takeaways, and referrals
Rewards: Free food, drinks, 25% off Click & Collect, birthday treats, surprise perks
Standout feature: Surprise perks and a reward after every fourth visit
Pret A Manger – subscription-style loyalty and daily frequency
It would be wrong not to mention Pret. Launched during the height of lockdown, Club Pret gave customers a much-needed pick-me-up—and reason to leave the house. Fast forward to now, and it’s still going strong as one of the most generous loyalty schemes on the high street.
For just £5 a month, you get 50% off up to five barista-made drinks a day—yes, five. Whether it’s your daily flat white, an iced matcha to beat the afternoon slump, it’s a no-brainer for anyone who stops by more than a few times a week. And yes, alternative milks, a shot of syrup, and even a “make me stronger” espresso shot are all included.
Structure: Monthly subscription (£5/month)
Rewards: 50% off up to five eligible barista-made drinks every day
Standout feature: Daily drink savings with almost no cap on drink type—no points, no tiers, just straight-up discounts
Island Poké – brand-led rewards with lifestyle appeal
Another lockdown brainchild, Poké Perks by Island Poké is a simple, stamp-based loyalty scheme with some tasty benefits. Your earn 1 stamp per bowl, and from there it adds up fast:
- 5 stamps = £5 voucher
- 10 stamps = a free house poké bowl or hotbowl
You’ll also get a £5 voucher just for placing your first order via the app, a free topping when you sign up, and double points until June. Add in birthday surprises and seasonal offers, it’s a solid perk for anyone who visits often.
Structure: Stamp-based system via the Island Poké app
Rewards: £5 voucher at 5 stamps, free bowl at 10, birthday treats, exclusive offers
Standout feature: Easy-to-earn rewards and double points for new members
Barburrito – points and quick-service repeat visits
If you’re a burrito-on-the-go kind of person, Bar Burrito Rewards app is well worth a download. It’s fast, generous, and loaded with perks: buy burritos, earn stamps, get free food.
Here’s the lowdown:
- 3 stamps just for downloading the app
- 1 stamp per main dish
- Free wings, side or dessert after 4 stamps
- Free burrito after 9 stamps
- Free burrito on your birthday
The app also gives you exclusive discounts, early access to new menu items, and extra perks for students—like 20% off food (or 30% off on Wednesdays).
Structure: Stamp-based rewards app via the Bar Burrito app
Rewards: Free food after 4 or 9 stamps, birthday perks, student discounts
Standout feature: Instant sign-up rewards and generous student perks
Caprice Holdings – premium hospitality loyalty and exclusivity
Caprice Holdings don’t have a points-based loyalty scheme, but they do offer gift cards for their iconic restaurants—think The Ivy, Scott’s, and Sexy Fish. It’s a simple way for fans to return or share a great dining experience.
Gift cards might not feel like loyalty at first glance, but they’re a smart move for restaurants: they lock in future visits, attract new customers, and are super simple to set up if you’re a venue looking to offer them.
Many venues choose to integrate gift cards directly into their online platforms and POS systems for a seamless experience. Need help setting one up? Our digital specialists in hospitality will be able to lend a hand.
Structure: Digital and physical gift cards
Rewards: Not a traditional loyalty scheme, but great for customer engagement
Standout feature: Simple set-up, strong return potential
Why loyalty schemes work for restaurants
Restaurant loyalty schemes help you stay connected with your customers, even when they’re not sitting at your tables. With a loyalty program or app, you’re consistently reminding diners why they should choose you when it’s time to decide where to eat, whether it’s through special offers, exclusive discounts, or exciting event updates.
Done well, loyalty schemes drive repeat visits from customers who might otherwise drift to whatever’s newest nearby, and they build stronger retention over time by giving people a reason to come back rather than just a reason to try you once. They also give you better customer data than you’d get from footfall alone, insight into what people order, how often, and what actually gets them to return, which opens up higher average order value opportunities through targeted upsells and offers. And because that data flows into your CRM, personalisation gets easier and more effective the longer the scheme runs, rather than staying generic.
In a world where there’s always a new spot to try, these programs are the perfect way to keep your regulars coming back for more, even when there’s fierce competition just around the corner.
What makes a successful restaurant loyalty program?
The strongest restaurant loyalty programs tend to share a handful of traits, regardless of size or budget.
Simple rewards: Customers should understand what they’re earning and how to get it without reading terms and conditions. If it takes explaining, it’s too complicated.
Easy sign-up: Friction at the join stage kills adoption before it starts. The best schemes let a customer join in seconds, often at the point of their first order.
Mobile access: A loyalty scheme lives in a customer’s pocket or it doesn’t get used. Apps and digital wallets have replaced physical cards for a reason.
Personalisation: Generic discounts feel like marketing. Offers based on what someone actually orders, and when, feel like recognition.
Clear value exchange: Customers need to feel the reward is worth the data or loyalty they’re handing over. If the maths doesn’t feel worth it, they won’t bother.
Common restaurant loyalty models
Points-based loyalty
Customers earn points for every pound spent or every visit, redeemable for free items, discounts, or exclusive perks. It’s the most familiar model to diners, which makes adoption easy, but it can feel generic if the earn rate or rewards aren’t compelling enough to matter.
Visit/frequency-based rewards
Rather than tracking spend, these schemes reward how often someone visits, a stamp per order, a free item after a set number of visits. Simple to understand and especially effective for cafes, QSR, and casual dining where visit frequency is naturally high.
Tiered loyalty programmes
Customers progress through levels, bronze, silver, gold, unlocking better rewards as they climb. This rewards your most loyal customers more than casual ones, and gives people a reason to keep engaging rather than redeeming and disappearing.
Subscription or hybrid loyalty
Customers pay a recurring fee for ongoing perks, discounted drinks, free delivery, exclusive access, rather than earning rewards through spend. This works best for high-frequency categories like coffee, where the subscription pays for itself quickly.
Referral and surprise-and-delight rewards
Unearned, unexpected rewards, a surprise treat, a referral bonus, a random upgrade, that build emotional goodwill rather than being tied to a formula. These work best as a layer on top of a core scheme, not as the whole strategy.
Let’s build your loyalty program
Whether you’re building a loyalty scheme from scratch, refining an existing one, or exploring the power of gift cards, Propeller is here to help. We work with restaurant groups on loyalty strategy, CRM integration, and retention, creating a smooth connection between your POS system, website, and mobile app, so your customers get a great experience and a reason to return.
Get in touch today and let’s chat about how we can help you build a loyalty program that works for you!
