In today’s digital dining landscape, offering flexible discounts through your restaurant mobile app and online ordering system can be a game-changer. Targeted promotions encourage customers to spend more and order again. In fact, one study found that customers exposed to tailored discount offers spent 35% more per order and were 70% more likely to return. Personalized deals make diners feel valued – about 80% of customers say they’re more likely to buy when offers are customized for them. Loyalty programs and mobile promotions further amplify this effect: a well-designed rewards program can increase visit frequency by roughly 35%, and automated coupons delivered via your mobile ordering platform keep customers coming back. In short, online ordering promotions are key to higher sales and loyalty in competitive restaurant markets.
Why Flexible Discounts Matter
Customizable promotions give restaurants multiple ways to boost business. Key benefits include:
- Higher sales per order: Tailored discounts prompt larger purchases. Research shows that targeted offers can drive roughly 35% more spending per order. Combos and bundles also raise the average check: for example, the National Restaurant Association notes customers are more likely to buy bundled meal deals.
- Increased customer loyalty: Personalized rewards make diners feel appreciated. In fact, customized offers significantly improve loyalty and ROI compared to generic coupons. Building a loyalty program alongside your app (with points, freebies or cashback) encourages repeat visits and deeper customer relationships.
- More repeat orders: Targeted promotions and loyalty incentives translate into more frequent visits. One analysis found loyalty programs can raise visit frequency by ~35%. Likewise, personalized “we miss you” deals or bonus points for regulars turn occasional guests into regulars.
- Urgency during slow periods: Time-based deals (like happy hours or limited-time specials) create buzz and urgency. Studies show that limited-time promotions increase perceived value and sales, prompting customers to act quickly. Offering off-peak discounts keeps your kitchen busy even during quieter hours.
- Competitive online visibility: On third-party delivery apps, active promotions boost your ranking. Running specials (e.g. promo codes or free delivery) signals high engagement and helps your restaurant appear higher in search results, bringing in new customers who may become loyal guests.
Types of Customizable Discounts
Modern mobile ordering platforms let you mix and match discount types to suit your goals. Popular options include:
- Percentage off. Take x% off the order or specific items. For example, “20% off weekend specials” can attract bargain hunters. Mobstep’s engine lets you set percentage-based coupons with optional caps to protect margins.
- Fixed-dollar off. Subtract a flat amount (e.g. “$5 off orders over $30”). Flat-rate discounts are ideal for welcome deals or VIP coupons. You can set minimum order conditions so big spenders must spend a bit more to qualify.
- Item-specific deals. Give away menu items or sides with purchase. Think “Buy 2 pizzas, get 1 free” or a free dessert with every entree. Mobstep supports free-item coupons – you simply pick the free item and set the conditions, and the app even displays the free item’s name and image in the order flow.
- Time-based promotions. Schedule discounts by hour or date. Happy hours, daily lunch specials, or holiday sales create excitement and urgency. Research confirms that limited-time offers boost demand and spending. With a mobile ordering platform you can automate these campaigns (e.g. 25% off dinner menu on Tuesdays) to keep customers returning.
- Promo codes and auto-applied coupons. Distribute unique codes for special deals (first-order codes, referral coupons, etc.) or enable auto-apply coupons when conditions are met. Mobstep’s system handles both: customers can enter codes at checkout, or coupons can auto-apply in their cart. You control stackability and usage limits so deals work just how you want.
- Loyalty points & cashback. Go beyond instant discounts by rewarding future visits. Mobstep even lets you credit loyalty points or cashback instead of an immediate price cut. Points encourage repeat spending, while cashback (store credit) nudges customers to order again.
Driving Sales and Customer Loyalty
Putting these flexible discounts into practice makes a real impact. For example, first-time-order discounts or bundle deals lower the barrier for new customers, while reward coupons and surprise freebies boost retention. As one guide notes, “owning your own restaurant mobile app opens the door to loyalty programs, promoting special events, and keeping customers coming”. In practice, restaurants using app-based coupons see higher engagement: Domino’s and Starbucks famously send personalized app offers to keep repeat orders high.
By analyzing past orders and segmenting customers (e.g. frequent diners vs. occasional visitors), you can tailor promotions for each group. This data-driven approach significantly increases conversion – targeted offers convert far better than blanket sales. Ultimately, flexible, customizable discounts let you use promotions strategically: boosting average order value, filling slow shifts, and rewarding your best customers. When customers feel they’re getting a deal tuned to their tastes or needs, they keep coming back.
How Mobstep’s Discount Engine Powers Your Promotions
Mobstep’s all-in-one restaurant platform makes it easy to implement every kind of promotion. Its no-code coupon engine lets you “design the exact discount logic your business needs” – mixing fixed, percentage, free-item or cashback rewards in one place. You set conditions (cart totals, specific items, time windows) and target customers or segments, and Mobstep applies the deals automatically when orders meet your rules. All configuration is done via the Mobstep admin or the Mobstep OPS mobile app (so managers can run promotions on the go).
Importantly, Mobstep delivers these discounts through fully branded mobile apps and web ordering. Your restaurant’s iOS/Android app and online ordering site carry your logo – not a third-party brand – while Mobstep handles the tech. This means customers order directly from you, enjoy one-click coupons or auto-applied deals, and can even earn loyalty points in the same app. The built-in marketing suite supports push notifications and in-app campaigns, so you can announce today’s special or send exclusive coupon codes straight to diners’ phones.
Because Mobstep is designed for restaurants, you keep 100% of your sales (no commissions) and gain rich customer data. You see who redeem which offers and can iterate quickly. In practice, that means you can launch a seasonal promo or flash sale within minutes. All promo types – percentage off, flat $ off, free items, time-limited deals or promo codes – are easily created through Mobstep’s dashboard. For example, you might set a 20% weekend discount with a cap, or auto-apply a free dessert after $30 spent.
Mobstep even supports advanced rewards like loyalty points and cashback credits, giving you maximum flexibility. And every deal can be targeted: you might open a coupon to all customers, limit it to loyalty program members, or send unique codes to individual VIPs. In short, Mobstep’s customizable discounts engine puts powerful promotional tools at your fingertips – no coding needed.
Ready to Get Started?
Mobstep’s mobile ordering platform brings all these discount strategies together in one place. To see how it works, learn more about Mobstep’s discount engine here. Then take the next step for your restaurant: register for Mobstep and unlock the full power of flexible, personalized promotions on your own branded app and website. With Mobstep, you’ll attract new customers, boost order frequency, and keep diners coming back – all with smarter, customizable discounts.
Boost your restaurant’s sales and loyalty today with Mobstep’s discount tools and mobile ordering platform. Start crafting better promotions – from percentage coupons to happy-hour specials – and watch your business grow.