Acquiring a new customer costs five times more than retaining an existing one. In the competitive South African restaurant landscape, a well-designed loyalty program can be the difference between surviving and thriving.

But not all loyalty programs are created equal. Paper punch cards have a 70% dropout rate. Here is what actually works.

Digital-first loyalty

Modern loyalty programs should be digital and frictionless. Customers earn points automatically when they order — no cards to carry, no stamps to collect. Tafura ties loyalty directly to the ordering flow, so every transaction counts.

The best programs use tiered rewards (Bronze, Silver, Gold) that create a sense of progression and exclusivity.

Personalisation is key

Use order history to offer relevant rewards. A customer who always orders the lamb shank should get a discount on lamb, not a generic 10% off. Personalised offers see 3x higher redemption rates.

Birthday rewards and anniversary bonuses (one year since first visit) make customers feel valued and drive surprise visits.

Gamification drives engagement

Add game elements: streaks for visiting multiple weeks in a row, spin-the-wheel promotions, and challenges like "try 5 different mains this month." These mechanics tap into the same psychology that makes mobile games addictive.

Restaurants using gamified loyalty on Tafura see 40% higher repeat visit rates compared to simple points-based systems.