Food and beverage brands face a unique challenge in 2025: 59% of consumers are more likely to join loyalty programs than a year ago, yet overall brand loyalty continues to decline. The brands winning this battle share one thing in common—a loyalty program that turns one-time buyers into repeat customers.
The platforms and programs featured below represent diverse approaches to customer retention, from developer-friendly solutions built for modern Shopify architecture to established programs from QSR giants and DTC beverage companies. Whether you operate a specialty coffee brand, packaged food company, or restaurant chain, these examples offer proven frameworks for building lasting customer relationships.
1) Rivo — Built for Shopify F&B Brands
Rivo delivers fully customizable loyalty and referral programs using modern Shopify architecture instead of legacy workarounds. The platform serves over 7,000 brands including food and beverage companies like Fresh Chile Co, Partners Coffee, and HexClad.
Best For
Fast-growing F&B brands on Shopify Plus seeking customizable loyalty programs without annual contracts
Price
Free (up to 200 orders) to $499/month
Rating
4.8/5 (1,409 reviews)
Key Features
- Fully customizable points-based loyalty with VIP tier automation based on spend, points earned, or orders placed
- 8+ checkout touchpoints allowing customers to spend points as payment method
- White-labeled referral programs with 20+ fraud prevention tools including IP monitoring and self-referral blocking
- Paid membership programs using Shopify Plus checkout extensions
- Developer Toolkit with REST API, JavaScript API, native Liquid metafields, and webhooks
- Shopify POS integration for unified online and in-store experiences
Rivo stands out as the first open platform for Shopify loyalty, processing 2.9 billion API calls annually while maintaining 99.98% uptime. The platform is 100% bootstrapped with zero venture capital, enabling month-to-month contracts instead of annual commitments that competitors require.
The platform integrates directly into Shopify's infrastructure using theme app extensions loading under 100ms, checkout extensions, and Shopify Flow. This modern approach avoids legacy workarounds, instead using Shopify Plus capabilities including stackable discounts and checkout extensibility.
F&B Brand Results
Food and beverage brands on Rivo demonstrate measurable retention improvements:
- Fresh Chile Co: Achieved 156% AOV lift for paid members compared to non-members
- HexClad: Generated $450K in referral revenue in 90 days with 92x ROI and 17% higher AOV from referred customers
- Partners Coffee: Completed 3-week migration with seamless member transfer from legacy platform
- BERO: Launched industry-first omnichannel program generating 1 billion impressions
The platform offers white-glove onboarding on Plus and Enterprise plans, following a structured 3-week implementation process. Migration assistance is available from competitors including Yotpo, Smile.io, and LoyaltyLion.
Integration capabilities span email (Klaviyo, Postscript, Attentive), subscriptions (Skio, Recharge), reviews (Okendo, Junip, Stamped), and 50+ additional apps.
Standout Feature
The Rivo Activate feature enables frictionless auto-login from Klaviyo emails using 26-character alphanumeric authentication, eliminating password friction that typically prevents program enrollment and driving 500-1000% increases in activated accounts.
Request a demo to see how Rivo's checkout integration reduces payment processing fees while increasing loyalty redemptions.
2) Yotpo Loyalty — Enterprise Strategic Partnership
Yotpo Loyalty positions itself as a strategic partner rather than just software, offering dedicated Customer Success Managers for brands serious about retention as a profit center.
Best For
Enterprise F&B brands wanting unified loyalty, reviews, and SMS marketing
Price
Custom pricing
Rating
4.7/5 (2,200+ reviews)
Key Features
- Unified platform combining loyalty programs with reviews and SMS marketing
- Dedicated CSM providing strategic support for program optimization
- Advanced VIP tiers with flexible point expiration rules
- Built specifically for ecommerce (not retrofitted from retail loyalty)
- Partnership-driven approach with quarterly strategy sessions
Yotpo earned recognition as a best-in-class loyalty solution built specifically for ecommerce brands. The platform targets mid-market to enterprise merchants who view loyalty as a strategic investment.
The platform's 4.5/5 Capterra rating reflects strong enterprise satisfaction despite a steeper learning curve than plug-and-play alternatives.
Standout Feature
The unified marketing suite eliminates the need to sync data between separate loyalty, review, and messaging platforms—reducing technical overhead for marketing teams.
3) Smile.io — Market Leader with Longest Track Record
Smile.io holds the position as the longest-tenured platform with over a decade of stability since its 2012 founding.
Best For
F&B brands prioritizing proven stability and extensive review validation
Price
Free (up to 200 orders) to $999/month
Rating
4.9/5 (4,111 reviews)
Key Features
- Loyalty Hub for signed-in members integrated into Shopify customer accounts
- Points, VIP tiers, and referral programs with extensive configuration options
- Deep Klaviyo integration for loyalty-driven email campaigns
- Built for Shopify badge with highest review count in the category
- 91% of ratings are 5 stars, demonstrating consistent satisfaction
Smile.io's 4,111 reviews represent the largest validation dataset in the Shopify loyalty space. The platform benefits from years of stability and incremental improvements rather than rapid innovation cycles.
The free plan supports up to 200 monthly orders, matching competitors while offering the confidence of market leadership.
Standout Feature
The sheer volume of reviews and years in market provide unmatched validation for risk-averse F&B brands evaluating loyalty program software.
4) LoyaltyLion — Best Analytics and Data-Driven Insights
LoyaltyLion focuses on data-driven loyalty for D2C brands, offering industry-leading analytics and RFM (recency, frequency, monetary) analysis.
Best For
F&B brands prioritizing analytics and data-driven program optimization
Price
Starting at $199/month
Rating
4.8/5 (479 reviews)
Key Features
- Advanced analytics with RFM segmentation
- POS support with robust reporting for omnichannel retailers
- Focus on non-transactional customer behaviors
- Built specifically for D2C ecommerce brands
- 4.4/5 Capterra rating from enterprise users
LoyaltyLion distinguishes itself through analytics capabilities that help F&B brands understand which loyalty activities drive actual revenue. The platform targets brands that view loyalty as a strategic lever rather than a basic discount mechanism.
The platform's research shows 39% of Shopify stores currently have loyalty programs, with 44% of remaining stores actively implementing one.
Standout Feature
Industry-leading analytics suite provides insights into program performance that basic platforms cannot match, justifying the higher price point for data-driven F&B brands.
5) Starbucks Rewards — The Industry Gold Standard
Starbucks Rewards sets the benchmark for food and beverage loyalty programs with 34.6 million members as of Q1 FY2025.
Best For
Understanding mobile-first loyalty mechanics at enterprise scale
Key Features
- Earn 2 Stars per $1 spent via app or registered card
- Redeem 25-400 Stars for customizations, drinks, and merchandise
- Two tiers (Green and Gold) unlock escalating benefits
- $1.85 billion stored value sits on member accounts
- Mobile ordering and payment integration
Starbucks Rewards members account for 41% of sales, with the program growing 13% year-over-year. The secret lies in seamless mobile ordering, payment integration, and personalized offers that keep customers coming back through habitual behavior.
The company earns approximately $207M in breakage—money from unused Stars that expire—showing how well-designed expiration policies can benefit margins while maintaining customer satisfaction.
Standout Feature
The mobile app integration enables order-ahead functionality, saved payment methods, and favorite drink storage, creating convenience that drives 6-10x higher visit frequency for members versus non-members.
6) Chipotle Rewards — Gamification Leader
Chipotle built one of the fastest-growing QSR loyalty programs by adding game mechanics to the standard points model, reaching 30+ million members within four years of launch.
Best For
Understanding gamification elements and flexible redemption structures
Key Features
- Earn 10 points per dollar spent
- "Extras" challenges for bonus points and badges
- Flexible redemption from 250 points (chips) to 1250 (full meals)
- Charity donation option supporting farming communities
- Special badges and achievement system
The gamified "Extras" feature keeps members engaged between purchases, creating what Chief Marketing Officer Chris Brandt calls opportunities to "celebrate" achievements. Chipotle surpassed $2 billion digital sales in 2021, driven largely by loyalty program adoption.
The values-based charity component appeals to younger consumers who prioritize brand purpose, demonstrating how values-based loyalty drives engagement beyond discounts.
Standout Feature
The flexible redemption structure allows customers to choose rewards matching their preferences rather than forcing high-value thresholds, increasing redemption rates and program satisfaction.
7) Panera MyPanera — Visit-Based Innovation
Panera takes a different approach by rewarding visit frequency rather than spend amount, making every order count equally regardless of size.
Best For
Understanding visit-based models for brands with varied order values
Key Features
- Rewards based on visit frequency, not spend amount
- AI-driven personalization tailors rewards to individual preferences
- Members can gift rewards to friends and family
- $5 off $10 for new sign-ups
- Unlimited coffee subscription option
The program has attracted 40+ million members and drives over 50% of all transactions. The visit-based model removes disadvantages for budget-conscious customers ordering smaller meals, democratizing rewards across all customer segments.
Panera's personalization engine learns member preferences over time, creating what 69% of customers want—tailored loyalty experiences rather than generic discounts.
Standout Feature
The "Surprise and Delight" model awards personalized free items based on individual purchase history, eliminating customer confusion about point values and expiration dates.
8) Chick-fil-A One — Tiered Excellence
Chick-fil-A One delivers an elegant four-tier structure (Member, Silver, Red, Signature) that creates clear progression without overwhelming complexity.
Best For
Understanding effective VIP tier implementation and social gifting features
Key Features
- Tiered earning: 10-13 points per $1 based on status level
- Tiers unlock through annual point thresholds
- Higher tiers can gift rewards to friends and family
- Personalized recommendations based on order history
- Concierge service for Signature tier
The social gifting feature turns loyal customers into advocates—when a Signature member shares a free sandwich with a friend, that's organic marketing. The tiered birthday rewards escalate from cookie to drink+cookie to free 6-inch sub, giving members clear reasons to advance tiers.
Standout Feature
The reward gifting capability at higher tiers differentiates Chick-fil-A from competitors by allowing members to share earned rewards, creating social amplification and strengthening brand community.
9) Dunkin' Rewards — Frequency-Based Engagement
Dunkin' Rewards introduced "Boosted Status" to reward high-frequency customers with better earning rates for consistent visits.
Best For
Understanding frequency-based models for high-visit categories like coffee and beverages
Key Features
- 10 points per dollar standard rate
- Boosted Status: 12 points per $1 at 12+ monthly visits
- 200 points = free drink of any size
- Frequent bonus campaigns and double points days
- Birthday rewards and exclusive offers
The program drives habitual behavior through frequency incentives. A Deloitte survey found 47% of restaurant loyalty program members use their memberships several times monthly, with 32% using them multiple times per week.
For beverage-focused F&B brands, this frequency model creates predictable recurring revenue and increases customer lifetime value through consistent engagement.
Standout Feature
The Boosted Status rewards consistent behavior with higher earning rates, creating a compounding benefit for the most loyal customers without requiring upfront tier qualification.
10) Subway MVP Rewards — Customer-Driven Design
Subway rebuilt its loyalty program in 2023 based directly on member feedback, resulting in 32+ million active users.
Best For
Understanding program redesign based on customer input and seamless migration
Key Features
- Three-tier system: Pro, Captain, All-Star
- "Subway Cash" currency for redemptions
- Birthday rewards scale (cookie → drink+cookie → 6" sub)
- Automatic migration preserved all existing MyWay points
- No re-registration required for existing members
Subway listened when customers said the old token system was confusing. COO Mike Kappitt explained they're "giving them star treatment" as MVP Rewards members through simplified mechanics.
The seamless transition from the old program shows how to migrate loyalty platforms without losing members—critical for any brand considering switching providers.
Standout Feature
The automatic migration preserved all existing points without requiring re-registration, demonstrating best practices for loyalty program transitions that maintain member trust.
Building Your F&B Loyalty Strategy
Food and beverage brands implementing loyalty programs achieve measurable improvements in customer retention rates, repeat purchase frequency, and customer lifetime value.
Choosing the Right Platform
Shopify-native platforms provide seamless integration advantages for D2C food and beverage brands. Native integrations load faster, maintain data consistency, and avoid technical complications of third-party connections.
Critical integration points include:
- Checkout integration for points redemption directly at purchase completion
- Customer accounts with unified loyalty dashboard
- POS systems for omnichannel programs
- Email platforms through Klaviyo, Postscript, or Attentive
- Subscription apps via Recharge or Skio
Modern platforms load in under 100ms using Shopify theme app extensions, preventing page speed degradation that harms conversion rates.
Program Design Considerations
Food and beverage brands face unique loyalty challenges including varied order values, high purchase frequency, and seasonal demand fluctuations. Programs should account for these factors through flexible earning rules and redemption options.
Essential design elements:
- Mobile-first experiences for on-the-go ordering
- Simple earning mechanics (typically 10:1 or 100:1 ratios)
- Fast redemption paths minimizing time-to-reward
- Tiered structures encouraging increased frequency
Platforms offering month-to-month contracts enable experimentation without long-term commitments, essential for F&B brands testing different strategies across seasonal cycles.
Measuring Success
Track program performance through both participation metrics and business impact measures. Food and beverage brands should monitor:
- Repeat purchase rate for members vs. non-members
- Loyalty-attributed revenue percentage
- Average order value lift for loyalty participants
- Redemption velocity (time from earning to redemption)
- Points liability as percentage of outstanding obligations
Customer retention rate improvements demonstrate loyalty program impact on core business objectives. Compare 90-day and 180-day retention between loyalty members and non-participants.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the most important features for a rewards program in the food and beverage industry?
Mobile-first design, simple earning mechanics, and fast redemption paths matter most for F&B loyalty programs. Programs like Starbucks succeed because ordering, payment, and rewards live in one seamless app experience. Points per dollar (typically 10:1 ratio) should be easy for customers to calculate mentally without confusion. Shopify-native platforms provide the technical foundation for these experiences through checkout extensions and theme integration that load under 100ms.
How can a loyalty program help my food and beverage brand increase repeat purchases?
Loyalty programs create switching costs and habitual behavior through accumulated points and tier status. Research shows 47% of restaurant loyalty program members use their programs multiple times monthly, with 32% using them multiple times per week. Food brands on modern platforms report 3.1x improvements in repeat purchase rates among program members. The key is making earning and redemption frictionless through seamless checkout integration and mobile experiences.
Is it better to offer free or paid rewards programs for food and beverage products?
Most F&B brands start with free loyalty programs to maximize enrollment and reduce friction. However, paid membership programs can drive significant value for brands with high average order values and devoted customer bases. Fresh Chile Co saw a 156% AOV lift for paid members versus non-members. The right answer depends on your customer base, average order value, and repurchase frequency. Consider testing both approaches through platforms offering flexible program structures.
How do food and beverage brands measure the success of their rewards programs?
Track repeat purchase rate, loyalty-attributed revenue, redemption rates, and customer lifetime value. Starbucks measures success by the 41% of sales coming from Rewards members. Modern platforms provide built-in analytics dashboards with 20+ reports covering program performance, points liability, and redemption trends. Key metrics include revenue percentage from loyalty members, member AOV versus non-members, and redemption velocity showing program engagement.
Can rewards programs integrate with my existing Shopify store for food and beverage products?
Yes. Platforms like Rivo integrate directly into Shopify's infrastructure using theme app extensions and checkout extensions, ensuring loyalty features load in under 100ms. Modern platforms work seamlessly with Shopify POS for omnichannel programs that reward both online and in-store purchases. Integration with Klaviyo, Recharge, and review platforms creates unified retention strategies. Request a demo to see how modern platforms handle F&B-specific requirements.
