25 essential QSR loyalty trends and statistics

Fast food isn’t the only thing moving fast – QSR loyalty is evolving just as quickly. What used to be a simple punch card is now a must-have digital strategy that boosts visits, increases spending and turns casual diners into lifelong fans.

Today’s guests expect more than just discounts – they want personalized rewards, mobile convenience, and exclusive perks that make them feel valued. And the QSR brands delivering on these expectations? They’re winning big. From AI-powered personalization to digital ordering that drives engagement, loyalty programs are smarter, more engaging, and harder to ignore than ever.

To keep up, I’ve gathered 25 key QSR loyalty trends and statistics to help your fast-food brand stay ahead, increase retention, and build stronger customer relationships in 2025.

QSR loyalty programs: A must-have for growth

1. Loyalty programs are becoming the norm – 82% of restaurant brands have one in place.
2. Among them, 60% focus on keeping customers coming back, while 28% aim to boost Customer Lifetime Value (CLV) with targeted rewards.

3. Nearly half (47.4%) of customers are part of at least one restaurant loyalty program, with QSRs seeing the biggest jump in participation.
4. A survey of 1,500 marketing executives found that 74% of QSR and delivery brands hit their revenue goals, with 85% relying on mobile-friendly loyalty programs to drive engagement.
5. Loyalty program use is rising – 41.6%  of QSR customers were actively enrolled in at least one program as of April 2021, up from 36.2% just months before.
6. For the second year in a row, both Fast Casual and QSR brands say investing in loyalty programs is a priority.

What customers need from QSR loyalty programs?

7. While 70% of customers join for future savings, frequent diners want more, like early access to deals and exclusive menu items.
8. 78% of customers are willing to go out of their way to visit a restaurant where they can earn rewards, proving that a good loyalty program can be a game-changer.
9. Frequent QSR customers are 1.5 times more likely to value exclusive rewards, with 41% prioritizing special perks over standard discounts.

10. 57% of diners say they’d spend more at a restaurant if it had a loyalty program.
11. William Blair’s September 2023 survey found that 55% of customers actively participated in restaurant loyalty programs, up from 47% in March.
12. 41% of consumers say a loyalty program influences where they eat, meaning a well-designed program can steer traffic to your brand.
13. Most loyalty programs increase visits and spending by 18–30%, proving their value for both customers and businesses.
14. Families are loyal too – 42% of households with kids visit their favorite QSRs at least 15 times a month.
15. 86% of customers say they’re more likely to join a restaurant’s loyalty program if it offers discounts or coupons.

Mobile integration and digital engagement

16. Restaurants with mobile-friendly loyalty programs have seen a 60% jump in customer transactions. With features like mobile ordering, in-app rewards, and easy payments, these programs are driving more frequent visits.
17. Loyalty members spend more – those enrolled in QSR loyalty programs spend 6% more per visit. Meanwhile, 47% of non-loyalty members never return after their first visit.
18. QSRs using customer data and AI-powered insights in their loyalty programs are 3 times more likely to keep running them long-term. 
19. Digital is taking over – since 2014, online ordering and delivery have grown 300% faster than dine-in traffic. 
20. QSRs are embracing AI and automation, with chatbots, smart recommendations, and predictive ordering making loyalty experiences more engaging.
21. McDonald’s MyRewards program turned its app into the #1 most downloaded QSR app, proving that digital loyalty keeps customers engaged.
22. Panera’s loyalty program members visit the brand 6 to 10 times more than non-members – showing the impact of rewards on repeat business.

The business case for loyalty: Growth and financial impact

23. The global QSR market is booming – valued at $280 billion in 2024 and projected to hit $450 billion by 2031, growing at 6.1% CAGR.
24. Digital loyalty is paying off – 77% of QSRs saw an increase in digital sales in 2023, reinforcing the power of app-based rewards and ordering.
25. Dining out isn’t slowing down – 84% of consumers say they’d rather go out to eat with family and friends than cook at home. Loyalty programs help capture those repeat visits.