For Business Owners

Loyalty Programs for Restaurants & Takeaways in South Africa

Encourage a return visit within the week, reward your regulars, and stand out from the restaurant next door, with no paper cards.

By the Cardless Club team

A restaurant staff member helping a customer scan at the till
Short answer

A loyalty program rewards your repeat restaurant customers and gives them a reason to keep choosing you. A cardless system like Cardless Club runs a stamp-and-reward program on the customer’s phone, for example a free item or discount after a set number of orders, for R499 per month per shop with no cards to print and no hardware to buy.

Why a loyalty program works for restaurants & takeaways

Diners have endless choice, and a good meal is quickly forgotten without a reason to return. A loyalty reward keeps your restaurant top of mind, and a cardless card works just as well for sit-down and takeaway, with nothing to print or hand out.

12–18%

more annual spend from loyalty members

3.1×

more spent by reward redeemers

66%

of members adjust spend to earn rewards

Sources: Fundera; Antavo 2025 loyalty statistics; Paystone.

What does a good restaurant loyalty reward look like?

Keep it simple and worth returning for. A common, effective example is a free item or discount after a set number of orders. You set your own reward and stamp goal, so you can match what suits your margins and your customers.

With Cardless Club the reward and goal are yours to set. Customers keep one digital loyalty card on their phone, you scan their code to add a stamp, and the reward is created automatically when they reach your goal.

What you get with Cardless Club

Works for dine-in and takeaway

Scan a customer’s code whether they eat in or collect, and reward every visit the same way.

Bring them back sooner

A reward goal gives diners a reason to return this week rather than drifting elsewhere.

See what is working

Track redemptions and your most loyal diners to plan offers that pay off.

No faked stamps

Scan-based stamps cannot be copied, unlike a paper card left on the counter.

How to set up loyalty for your restaurant

  1. Create your PlaceSet up your shop with your logo, brand colour, and reward.
  2. Set your reward and goalFor example, a free item or discount after a set number of orders.
  3. Scan customers in storeScan each customer’s QR code to add stamps and redeem rewards.
  4. Track and growSee stamps, redemptions, and your most loyal customers in your dashboard.

For the full picture on cost and returns, see our loyalty program pricing guide and the main guide for business owners.

Frequently asked questions

How do restaurants use loyalty programs?

A restaurant sets a reward, for example a free item after a set number of visits, and scans each customer’s QR code when they order. The reward is created automatically when they reach the goal, which encourages a return visit.

What does Cardless Club cost?

R499 per month per shop, billed monthly in advance, with a minimum 3-month commitment. There is no hardware or card-printing cost.

Do I need special equipment?

No. Any modern phone or tablet with a camera and web browser can scan customer QR codes. There is nothing to install and no cards to print.

Can my staff issue stamps and rewards?

Yes. You can add staff members who issue stamps and redeem rewards on your behalf, and see their activity in your dashboard.

Set up loyalty for your restaurant

Create your shop on Cardless Club and start rewarding repeat customers, with no hardware and no card printing.

Get started as a merchant