PAR Technology Releases New Data on How Loyalty Programs Influence Consumer
Choices Amid Cost-Conscious Dining Trends
Consumers increasingly rely on loyalty programs to manage dining costs, but value
and ease-of-use remain critical to engagement
NEW HARTFORD, N.Y. (December 17, 2025) – PAR Technology Corporation (NYSE: PAR), a leading foodservice technology provider, today released its latest industry data snapshot, Loyalty Programs in Today’s Cost-Conscious Dining Landscape. Based on a survey of 1,000 U.S. consumers conducted by Dynata, the findings reveal how economic uncertainty is reshaping loyalty program engagement and what features influence repeat visits and brand switching.
Loyalty use is rising, with one-third of consumers using restaurant loyalty programs more often due to economic pressure, while another 36% maintain their usage. Nearly 70% say loyalty programs help manage costs, yet brands must deliver effortless, personalized, and real-time value to keep pace with growing expectations.
Brands are turning to AI to personalize experiences, but consumer sentiment is mixed. For predictive features like suggesting a usual order, respondents split between excited (24%), neutral (27%), and concerned about accuracy (27%). Still, 52% would trust a program more if it offered real-time, personalized perks, such as a surprise free item after a large order, without crossing privacy boundaries.
“Guest engagement is only becoming more competitive,” said Joe Yetter, General Manager of PAR Engagement. “Guests expect more than points; they want experiences that feel personal and effortless. We will see loyalty move beyond programs into personality. The brands that turn every interaction into a moment of connection, while balancing personalization with privacy, will win.”
Additional key findings include:
- Price sensitivity remains high: 45% skip dining out due to menu inflation—even with loyalty discounts.
- Value-driven switching: 25% would switch to a less-preferred restaurant for better loyalty perks; half compare offers before deciding where to eat.
- Top rewards: Discounts (40%) and free items/upgrades (22%) remain most influential. Better rewards value (54%), superior food quality (45%), and ease-of-use (30%) drive program switching.
- Limited engagement: 58% prefer managing no more than five loyalty accounts, making clear value essential.
- Practical AI: Consumers favor smarter rewards (31%) or no AI features (26%). Deep automation and predictive tools score lower, signaling a preference for enhancements that simplify, not overhaul, the loyalty experience.
“Half of consumers say they’d trust a loyalty program more if it delivered real-time, personalized perks—that’s a clear signal: convenience and trust are the new currency of engagement,” said Diane Le, Senior Director of Marketing, Partnerships and Loyalty Strategy at PAR Technology. “The loyalty landscape is crowded, but the brands that make participation effortless and deliver instant value will earn repeat visits and lasting loyalty.”
These findings underscore that restaurants need a tech stack that is agile and integrated, enabling real-time personalization and seamless loyalty experiences. To stay competitive, technology must balance AI-driven insights with privacy, while delivering value and convenience across all customer touchpoints.
Read the full Loyalty Programs in Today’s Cost-Conscious Dining Landscape report.
*The survey was conducted online in September 2025 by Dynata, with a total of 1,000 U.S. consumers participating. The data was compiled and analyzed to ensure accuracy and representativeness of the target population.
About PAR Technology
PAR Technology Corporation (NYSE: PAR) is a leading foodservice technology provider, powering a unified, purpose-built platform engineered to scale and adapt with brands at every stage of growth. Designed with flexibility and openness at its core, PAR’s solutions—spanning point-of-sale, digital ordering, loyalty, back-office, payments, and hardware—integrate with others, yet deliver maximum impact as a unified system. With intentional innovation at the forefront, PAR’s solutions streamline operations, drive higher engagement, and strengthen guest experiences for restaurants and retailers globally. To learn more, visit partech.com or connect with us on social media.
###
Media Contact: Sydney.schultice@partech.com, 609-238-6663
