Today in food commerce, DoorDash partners with Afterpay in Australia, and IHOP announces pre-registration for its International Bank of Pancakes loyalty program. Plus, PYMNTS data reveal how restaurants can woo tech-savvy consumers.
How Restaurants Can Win the Loyalty of High Tech Consumers
PYMNTS’ research found that consumers who value technology are much more likely to participate and find value in loyalty programs, with 60% of consumers participating in quick-service restaurant (QSR) loyalty programs and 75% doing so at table-service restaurants. This is just one of the key findings in Digital Divide: How High-Tech Consumers Connect To Subscription And Loyalty Offerings, a PYMNTS and Paytronix collaboration.
DoorDash Launches BNPL in Australia with Afterpay
As consumers’ price anxieties make them hesitant to purchase from delivery aggregators, given the high fees these companies charge, DoorDash is turning to buy now, pay later (BNPL) to target these concerned consumers. On Tuesday (March 8), the company announced a partnership with Melbourne, Australia-based financial technology company Afterpay to offer BNPL on all orders in the FinTech company’s home country.
Diners Retain Tech-Fueled Approach as Pandemic Wanes
Diners are returning to their favorite restaurants as the omicron variant of the coronavirus continues to fade into memory, but the way they’re coming back is far different in most cases than how they visited before the COVID-19 pandemic began two years ago. The latest Order To Eat Tracker®, a PYMNTS and Paytronix collaboration, explores the latest news and trends in the order-to-eat space, including how consumers’ digital expectations are driving restaurants to enhance their payment and ordering experiences.
IHOP Announces Loyalty Soft Launch as Consumers Seek Out FSR Rewards
On Wednesday (March 9), Glendale, California-based Dine Brands-owned pancake house chain IHOP announced the soft launch of its International Bank of Pancakes loyalty program, which consumers can access through the brand’s website or mobile app. The program rewards purchases with so-called “PanCoins,” which can be redeemed for coupons, “joyful experiences” and other offers.
Independent Restaurants Rely on Omnichannel Creativity to Navigate Ongoing Pandemic Challenges
“The hardest part is when there feels to be a bit of randomness [with occupancy]. There are days when we know it is obviously going to be busy or slow, but there are other days when we feel slightly blindsided in both directions,” Jacob Cohen, co-owner and managing partner of upscale New York City Italian restaurant Dell’anima, tells PYMNTS in an interview.