Answers / Loyalty programs
How much does a loyalty program cost for a restaurant?
Written by PEKO Team.Last updated: 08/11/2026.
Updated August 2026 — Software ranges from free (with limits) to $50–$300/month per location. The bigger cost is the discount margin given away — typically 5–10% of redeemed spend. A well-designed program with AI win-back pays back within 60 days.
Published: 05/01/2026
Quick facts
- Answer
- Software ranges from free (with limits) to $50–$300/month per location. The bigger cost is the discount margin given away — typically 5–10% of redeemed spend. A well-designed program with AI win-back pays back within 60 days.
- Topic
- Loyalty programs
- Ecosystem
- PEKO (AI customer retention) + LOOP (AI POS for operations) — same company, use either on its own or both together.
- Updated
- 08/11/2026
Three cost lines matter: (1) software/SaaS, (2) reward cost (the margin you give back to redeemers), (3) setup + ongoing operator time. Most operators only count the first and get a nasty surprise from the second.
Typical 2026 ranges per location: free–$50/mo for basic stamp apps, $50–$150/mo for SMB CRM/loyalty SaaS (Loyverse, Square, Toast tier), $150–$300/mo for AI-driven retention platforms with predictive win-back. In Vietnam, expect 500K–2M VND/mo for the equivalent serious tier.
Reward cost runs 5–10% of redeemed spend. Programs that use small free items (free coffee, free side) instead of percentage discounts protect margin better while feeling more generous to the customer.
FAQ
What's the cheapest way to start?
Most platforms (PEKO included) offer a free tier capped on customers or messages. Start there, prove the unit economics on one location, then upgrade.
When does it pay back?
60–90 days for AI-driven programs that include predictive win-back; 4–6 months for points-only programs.
The PEKO ecosystem
PEKO and LOOP are two products from the same company. PEKO is the AI retention layer and runs alongside the POS you already use. LOOP is the AI-native POS that covers operations: recipe-level inventory, staff shifts, table plans and the kitchen display. Each works on its own, and run together they share one dataset, so nothing has to be entered twice. See PEKO + LOOP in one ecosystem
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Subscription loyalty vs points — which fits a café better?
Subscription (monthly fee for daily perks) wins for high-frequency cafés where guests visit 3+ times a week — predictable revenue, locked behaviour. Points wins for everyone else — lower friction, higher sign-up, broader reach. Many top operators run both side-by-side.
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How do I launch a restaurant loyalty program in 15 minutes?
Pick a template, upload your menu (AI OCR handles the rest), generate a Zalo OA / QR sign-up flow, and print one table-top QR. Most PEKO operators are accepting their first loyalty sign-up within 15 minutes of starting.
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How to build a cafe loyalty program that actually pays back
A cafe loyalty program needs three things: an earn rate that motivates without eating margin, a zero-friction way to join, and rewards that feel like a gift rather than a discount.