How Bakeries Like Chip City Use Referral Programs to Increase Customer Counts

8.93k%

increase in app store views

1.28k%

increase in app downloads

2.22k%

increase in app sessions

8.93k%

increase in app store views

1.28k%

increase in app downloads

2.22k%

increase in app sessions

TLDR

You are the owner of a thriving local restaurant. Business is good, but you know it could be better. Referral programs have proven wildly successful in increasing customer counts, providing word-of-mouth marketing, and establishing brand loyalty. Big Cookie brands like Chip City Cookies have increased their customer base by offering in-app referrals. Intrigued by their success? Read on to learn how a white-label mobile app with integrated referral programs can skyrocket your customer count and revenues. Implementing this strategy requires commitment and planning, but the rewards for your restaurant will be immense.

How Restaurants Like Chip City Use Referral Programs to Double Customer Counts

Referral marketing programs are an effective way for restaurants to acquire new customers through word-of-mouth recommendations from existing patrons. Chip City Cookies, Primal Bowls, and Masala Wok are three chains that have leveraged referral programs through the Per Diem app to dramatically increase their customer base.

Chip City Cookies Offers Generous Rewards

Chip City Cookies provides a $10 reward to the referee and the referrer both. The referral program has been instrumental in Chip City acquiring dozens of new customers, demonstrating the power of incentivizing word-of-mouth marketing.

Primal Bowls and Masala Wok Tap Into Loyal Customers

Primal Bowls, a health food chain, and Masala Wok, an Indian restaurant chain across 18 locations in the US also utilize the referral program, allowing customers to earn up to $50 for providing leads that become new restaurant customers. Because loyal customers are the most enthusiastic advocates for brands they love, referral programs that financially reward them for sharing their positive experiences are highly effective.

Referral marketing is a proven tactic for acquiring new customers in a cost-efficient manner. Restaurants that provide generous rewards through well-designed referral programs can tap into the power of word-of-mouth recommendations from their most loyal customers. The success of Chip City Cookies, Primal Bowls, and Masala Wok in doubling their customer base highlights how referral programs, when implemented thoughtfully, can be a game-changer for restaurants looking to scale their business.

The Success of In-app Referral Programs for Restaurants

Referral marketing programs have proven highly effective for restaurants and food service companies. By offering incentives for customers to refer their friends and family, restaurants can gain new patrons at a lower cost than traditional advertising. In-app referral programs that leverage mobile apps are especially impactful.

Doubling Customer Counts

According to a recent study, 87% of B2B companies with referral programs found them effective for generating new sales. For restaurants, referral programs can be instrumental in growing their customer base. Chip City Cookies, Primal Bowls, and Masala Wok are three chains that have enabled in-app referral programs through a white-label mobile app developer.

Measurable and Cost-Effective

Referral programs provide restaurants measurable data to track the impact of their marketing efforts. They can see how many referrals convert to new customers and gain insights into the demographics of referrers and referees. Compared to the high cost of traditional advertising, referral programs are extremely budget-friendly. Restaurants only pay the initial setup fee for the referral program and any incentives they choose to offer referrers.

Seamless Experience

In-app referral programs provide customers with an easy, seamless experience for inviting friends and redeeming rewards. Through their mobile apps, Chip City, Primal Bowls, and Masala Wok make it simple for customers to refer the restaurants to contacts in their address book or share a unique referral link on social media. Once a referee makes their first in-app signup or purchase, the referrer receives a reward like a free menu item that they can redeem instantly through the app.

With their in-app referral marketing programs, Chip City, Primal Bowls, and Masala Wok have discovered an innovative way to spread the word about their restaurants and gain new lifelong customers. By rewarding referrals and cultivating brand advocates, these chains and others are poised for sustainable growth and success.

The is how the feature in app looks like

Key Takeaways for Implementing a Referral Program for Your Restaurant

There are several key takeaways to keep in mind when successfully implementing an effective referral program for your restaurant.

Provide a Seamless Experience

Referral programs rely on word-of-mouth marketing, so ensure customers have an easy way to refer their friends and family through your app or website. Chip City, Primal Bowls, and Masala Wok all offer in-app sharing options to instantly send referral links via text, email, or social media. The easier you make the referral process, the more people will participate.

Track and Optimize

Analyze how people engage with your referral program to optimize results. See which rewards and offers perform best, and how referred customers behave. These chains found that referrals through their apps performed the best and converted the highest. They optimized their referral programs by boosting social sharing options within their apps and by offering certain reward amounts that drove the most new customers. The restaurants will continue to analyze referral program data to make improvements and maximize results.

Promote Regularly

Don’t launch a referral program and forget about it. Actively promote the program through social media, email marketing, in-store signage, and with your staff. Remind customers of the benefits of referring friends and the rewards they’ll receive.

Treat Customers Well

The foundation for a successful referral program is a great customer experience. Focus on high-quality food, excellent service, and a welcoming atmosphere. When customers love your restaurant, they’ll eagerly refer others. Chip City, Primal Bowls, and Masala Wok all boast extremely high customer satisfaction which fuels their referral program success.

By providing a generous, seamless referral experience, actively promoting the program, and delivering an exceptional customer experience, your restaurant can achieve similar success.

Final Thoughts

Through mobile apps like Per Diem, big brands like Chip City, Primal Bowls, and Masala Wok have unlocked a powerful new marketing channel. By incentivizing customers to refer friends through in-app rewards, they've driven impressive growth in their customer bases. The proof is in the numbers - with minimal investment, they've increased the number of diners ordering through their app. You have the chance to replicate their success. Contact us today to learn more about enabling referral programs in your own app. Put the power of digital word-of-mouth marketing to work for your restaurant.