Article
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July 6, 2025
Why loyalty matters more than ever (and why apps might be an overkill)
As customers pull back on spending, big restaurant brands are turning to a familiar strategy: loyalty.
From Chipotle to Sweetgreen, fast-casual chains are utilizing rewards programs to attract and retain customers. According to recent data shared by CNBC, loyalty members visit restaurants 22% more often than non-members and are twice as likely to return to the same brands.
In other words, loyalty programs work.
Chipotle: Over 20 million rewards members. Loyalty now drives ~30% of daily sales.
Starbucks: More than 59% of U.S. transactions come from rewards members.
Potbelly: Over 42% of total shop sales now come from digital and loyalty orders.
But here’s the key insight for small businesses: Loyalty doesn’t need to mean building an app.
Portillo’s is doing it differently.
The Chicago-based chain launched Portillo’s Perks using a digital wallet pass instead of a traditional mobile app. It tracks customer visits and awards badges as they go. No logins, no downloads. Just scan and repeat.
“It doesn’t require a redesign and relaunch to an application,” said Garrett Kern, VP of Strategy at Portillo’s. “It was a great way for us to get the program out there in a branded and easy-to-use way.”
At CHCKN, that’s exactly the model we’re building for small and independent businesses.
Our loyalty tool uses Apple and Google Wallet passes. Customers scan when they visit, collect rewards, and get personalized offers over time. You grow your list, track your regulars, and boost visit frequency without needing to code or launch an app.
It’s fast to set up. Easy to use. Built for repeat business.
Big brands are doubling down on loyalty because it works. Now, you can do the same, without the overhead.
From Chipotle to Sweetgreen, fast-casual chains are utilizing rewards programs to attract and retain customers. According to recent data shared by CNBC, loyalty members visit restaurants 22% more often than non-members and are twice as likely to return to the same brands.
In other words, loyalty programs work.
Chipotle: Over 20 million rewards members. Loyalty now drives ~30% of daily sales.
Starbucks: More than 59% of U.S. transactions come from rewards members.
Potbelly: Over 42% of total shop sales now come from digital and loyalty orders.
But here’s the key insight for small businesses: Loyalty doesn’t need to mean building an app.
Portillo’s is doing it differently.
The Chicago-based chain launched Portillo’s Perks using a digital wallet pass instead of a traditional mobile app. It tracks customer visits and awards badges as they go. No logins, no downloads. Just scan and repeat.
“It doesn’t require a redesign and relaunch to an application,” said Garrett Kern, VP of Strategy at Portillo’s. “It was a great way for us to get the program out there in a branded and easy-to-use way.”
At CHCKN, that’s exactly the model we’re building for small and independent businesses.
Our loyalty tool uses Apple and Google Wallet passes. Customers scan when they visit, collect rewards, and get personalized offers over time. You grow your list, track your regulars, and boost visit frequency without needing to code or launch an app.
It’s fast to set up. Easy to use. Built for repeat business.
Big brands are doubling down on loyalty because it works. Now, you can do the same, without the overhead.
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