Retail, restaurant customer engagement & loyalty now packs a big Punchh

Retail or restaurant engagement and loyalty offers aren’t just programs — Punchh turns customer communication & apps into fun experiences:

Punchh was founded in 2010 with a clear goal – to show physical brands the power of online customer engagement. The Punchh Loyalty, Offers, and Engagement Platform integrates seamlessly with existing systems, helping to evolve lasting customer loyalty that turns anonymous buyers into brand superfans.

Fast-forward to present day and Punchh has grown exponentially by servicing more than 100,000 store locations, creating over 175 proprietary mobile apps, reaching more than 190 million unique customers and in 2021 alone – generating more than $20 billion in transactions for clients. 2021 was a milestone year for Punchh as the brand negotiated a deal to be acquired by the best-in-class restaurant software company – PAR Technology Corporation – to the tune of $500 million.

Under the umbrella of the restaurant technology titan, Punchh has continued to release a multitude of product updates and innovations including Punchh Pickup, which provides a single platform for loyalty and curbside pickups. Punchh launched their pickup technology integration in July 2021, allowing brand partners to capitalize on new revenue streams and provide their customers more options in the ordering process, while creating an effortless platform for operations teams. Punchh Pickup creates a frictionless, end-to-end pickup experience for customers and employees — in-store, at the curb, or in the drive-thru.

In a continued commitment to help clients protect the financial health and future success of their loyalty programs, Punchh’s Spring 2021 Release featured a new, out-of-the-box Liability and Activity Reporting functionality that allows corporate marketers and finance teams to better estimate and track loyalty redemptions over time, offering a clear picture of their outstanding program liability.

To assist brands in building an increasingly detailed customer database, Punchh also introduced an outbound data adapter between the Punchh platform and the client’s CDP. This integration allows nearly any Punchh user data field to be exported to the customer data platform in real-time. User data can then be even further segmented to create highly targeted and personalized marketing campaigns.

In one fell swoop, Punchh launched new product offerings, enhanced existing technology, and continued to build upon their client base by breaking into new verticals. From 2020 to 2021, total transactions for Punchh clients are up 108% and loyalty-based transactions are up over 28%. According to the National Restaurant Association, restaurant sales on average are up 19.7% in 2021 over the previous year, but Punchh clients are up an average of 24% in total sales year-over-year. CKE, Jack in the Box, YUM! Brands… the list goes on of the top brands who are turning to Punchh to introduce mobile app-based loyalty programs to engage their existing fan base.

Restaurant customer engagement & loyalty success: Cheba Hut

With digital engagement reaching an all-time high, inspiring loyalty during the pandemic required a new level of commitment and creativity to build the type of digital connections necessary that will differentiate brands against the competition. Enter Cheba Hut, a 43-unit sub concept synonymous with the “munchie” community for their cannabis-themed dining experience featuring a variety of menu offerings and an eclectic environment.

In 2020, the Colorado-based chain turned to Punchh to deliver a one-of-a-kind loyalty program and mobile app well-suited for their counterculture cult-following. The development team at Punchh got to work designing and bringing to life an engaging platform designed for Cheba Hut’s end user in mind. In just a few short months, Punchh helped Cheba Hut launch its customer loyalty program integrated into its game-based rewards system.

The Cheba Hut Flippy Bird game is fun for guests and allows the brand to connect with its fans in a way that resonates, while also providing comprehensive insights about each customer to build 1-1 loyalty. Cheba Hut’s loyalty app powered by Punchh attracts a new generation of guests by building loyalty through rewards-based gamification allowing fans to be entertained, while simultaneously earning points for future orders.

Available on the Apple App Store and Google Play, the Cheba Hut mobile app has 4.9 stars and over 2,000 reviews receiving praise from guests for its intuitive interface and dynamic design. Punchh’s artistic ability to bring to life the digital experience of a restaurant provides chains like Cheba Hut to tap into new revenue streams while remaining true to their brand’s unique DNA.

Punchh is a 2021 Mobile Star Awards Winner for Innovative Mobile Engagement and Loyalty. You can quickly connect with and follow Punchh below: