Restaurant Technology Trends in 2026
Explore restaurant technology trends in 2026, including AI, automation, digital ordering, workforce tools, connected kitchens, personalization, and profitability strategies today.
Aug 28, 2026
Explore restaurant technology trends in 2026, including AI, automation, digital ordering, workforce tools, connected kitchens, personalization, and profitability strategies today.
Aug 28, 2026
Learn how to calculate restaurant cost of goods using inventory, purchases, COGS percentage, variance reviews, and regular tracking for profitability.
Aug 31, 2026
Understand how to evaluate a Kiosk system using key criteria including features, POS integration, hardware, pricing, customer experience, and support.
Aug 31, 2026
Learn the startup costs of opening an ice cream shop, including rent, equipment, renovations, permits, inventory, labor, marketing, and reserves.
Aug 28, 2026
A restaurant P&L statement reveals sales, expenses, and profits, helping owners manage costs, improve margins, and plan finances more effectively.
Aug 26, 2026
Learn practical ways to reduce labour costs through smarter scheduling, forecasting, productivity, cross-training, automation, overtime control, and performance monitoring strategies.
Aug 26, 2026
RaceTrac has appointed Jill Pemberton as chief financial officer, succeeding Karla Ahlert, who moves into the newly created role of chief administrative officer.
Aug 26, 2026
Create a practical restaurant marketing plan by setting goals, targeting customers, choosing channels, budgeting wisely, scheduling campaigns, and measuring results.
Aug 24, 2026
Levain Bakery appoints Lorna Sommerville and Taya Stenson as co-CEOs, blending operational and marketing expertise to power national expansion and innovation while staying rooted in its brand values.
Aug 25, 2026
A payroll advance policy helps restaurant owners define eligibility, limits, repayment, documentation, approval procedures, and compliance requirements for employee advances.
Aug 24, 2026
Unlock Exclusive Access To Webinars, Events, And The Latest News For Free!
Learn how independent and small restaurant chains can enhance customer engagement with loyalty programs, leveraging DoorDash's innovative features and marketing tools.
Photo by Artists Eyes
The restaurant industry is witnessing a shift towards digital innovation and customer-centric approaches, with loyalty programs emerging as a potent tool for small and independent restaurant chains to enhance customer engagement and retention. By introducing a loyalty program, restaurants can incentivize customers to return by offering rewards, discounts, or exclusive deals. These programs create a sense of belonging and appreciation among customers, fostering long-term relationships with the brand.
DoorDash's entry into the loyalty program arena brings a new dimension to the table by offering features that do not require complex point-of-sales integration. This accessibility allows small restaurants to seamlessly adopt and benefit from loyalty programs without significant infrastructure investments. Moreover, DoorDash's omni-channel loyalty program has the potential to level the playing field for small businesses, enabling them to compete more effectively with larger chains that traditionally dominate the loyalty space.
Photo by Artists Eyes
The success story of El Jefe’s Taqueria highlights the transformative impact of DoorDash's loyalty program. With 22,000 customers enrolling within the first month, the program has not only attracted new customers but also increased online order frequency. John Schall's statement underscores the effectiveness of loyalty programs in turning casual diners into loyal patrons, showcasing a 1.3 times higher frequency in online orders among enrolled customers. This surge in engagement contributes significantly to revenue growth and customer lifetime value.
Implementing a loyalty program can have a dual benefit for small restaurants by not only bolstering customer engagement but also driving orders and revenue on platforms like DoorDash. As the number of total orders on DoorDash continues to rise, loyalty programs serve as a catalyst in increasing order volumes from both new and existing customers. The seamless integration of loyalty incentives into the ordering process motivates customers to choose the restaurant over competitors, translating into sustained revenue growth.
DoorDash's commitment to empowering merchants goes beyond loyalty programs, offering a suite of marketing tools and services to enhance customer reach and brand visibility. From providing a free website to facilitating personalized CRM campaigns through email and SMS, DoorDash's Commerce Platform equips small restaurants with the essential resources to create impactful marketing strategies. The all-in-one dashboard simplifies order monitoring, loyalty program tracking, and marketing performance analysis, enabling merchants to make data-driven decisions for business growth.
Photo by Artists Eyes
With DoorDash's acquisition of SevenRooms, the future looks promising for small restaurants seeking to optimize their operations and customer experiences. The integration of SevenRooms' advanced tools into DoorDash's ecosystem hints at forthcoming innovations that will further enhance merchant capabilities. As DoorDash continues to roll out new plans and tiers for its Commerce Platform, small restaurants can expect tailored solutions that cater to their specific needs, providing them with a competitive edge in the evolving digital restaurant landscape.