8 pillars of a winning loyalty program with a market-unique gamified experience

8 pillars of a winning loyalty program with a market-unique gamified experience

These days, in the competitive QSR market, standing out requires more than just great food and service—it demands innovation, strong customer relationships, and a personalized approach. LoyaltyPlant with Papa Johns UAE team spearheaded a loyalty program that revolutionizes customer interaction through gamification, resulting not only in increased engagement but also significant business growth.

In this post, we present the 8 PILLARS OF A WINNING LOYALTY PROGRAM— a comprehensive guide that contributed to Papa Johns UAE’s triumphant win at the prestigious Loyalty360 awards. This achievement signifies more than just an award; it marks a milestone for our team in elevating loyalty to unprecedented levels within the QSR market.

 

8 pillars of a winning loyalty program with a market-unique gamified experience

At the end of this post, you’ll find a video that captures a moment reminiscent of when Steve Jobs and Steve Wozniak founded Apple and developed their first computers in Jobs’ garage. Similarly, during his finalist presentation at Loyalty360, Papa Johns’ CMO, Karim Chaanine, shared how he, along with Vas Diyachenko (Founder & CEO at LoyaltyPlant) and Paul Ivanov (CTO at LoyaltyPlant), spent over three hours playing StarCraft 2. This evening sparked the vision for gamification, inspired the creation of a groundbreaking approach, and clarified the uniqueness of the whole loyalty program strategy.

Pillar 1. Revolutionary gamified customer experience

At the heart of our strategy lies a gamified customer experience that captivates and rewards. Part 1 of our Papa Johns Case Study explores how gamification transforms mundane transactions into engaging interactions, fostering loyalty beyond mere discounts. Discover how Papa Johns UAE’s innovative loyalty program, crafted with simplicity, and emotional engagement at its core, transforms customer experiences. 

With Bronze, Silver, Gold and Platinum statuses and motivational rewards replacing traditional discounts, the loyalty program deepens brand connections and excites users with game-like features. Intrigued? Dive into the full article to explore how this unique approach is revolutionizing the QSR industry in MENA.

Pillar 2. We made loyalty program simple at its core

A great product is useless if it’s hard to use. That’s why our loyalty program is designed to be simple and user-friendly. In the “How to Earn Papa Points” section, clear instructions guide you on earning points, with a basic rule: add a zero to your total spend. Badge signs highlight opportunities to earn more points and level up, making it easy to track your progress.

One key feature is the use of signs on badges, signaling opportunities to earn more points and advance in the game. This visual cue helps users easily identify how they can progress.

 

Pillar 3. Ai-powered personalized campaigns to win back lapsed customers

Papa Johns UAE maximizes customer engagement and business growth with AI-powered personalized campaigns. Integrated with our comprehensive loyalty program, these campaigns target lapsed customers with tailored offers, leading to a 5-7% monthly increase in marginal profit from direct online orders. Curious about our innovative approach? 
Dive into the full article to discover how AI is transforming customer re-engagement strategies at Papa Johns UAE.

Pillar 4. A loyalty program that facilitates gradual onboarding and activation, with cost-efficiency in mind

Papa John’s loyalty program makes joining it easy by skipping complicated sign-ups, ensuring users stay engaged right from the beginning and boosting how long they use the app. Moving up from Bronze to Silver status rewards users for their first transactions, making it easier to earn perks and encouraging more purchases. 

This approach not only reduces early drop-offs but also keeps users excited about earning rewards, turning occasional users into loyal customers over time.

Learn more in the full article on how to make your onboarding smooth and never lose a customer.

Pillar 5. Engaging mini-games that help educating customers about the brand’s menu

Explore how Papa Johns UAE revolutionizes menu education with interactive mini-games. Designed to be both fun and informative, these games immerse customers in learning about new flavors and unique pizza offerings. 

From interactive tutorials on pizza crusts to memory challenges that reward winners with free pizzas, our approach blends entertainment with education seamlessly. Curious to discover more about our innovative game strategies? Delve into the full article to see how these engaging experiences are reshaping customer engagement and driving substantial revenue growth for Papa Johns UAE.

Pillar 6. Engaging and cost-effective rewards catalogue

Discover how Papa Johns UAE is redefining customer rewards with a focus on cost-efficiency and engagement. By minimizing promotional costs and reducing reliance on discounts, our innovative rewards catalog offers customers personalized gifts based on their loyalty status. From low-cost complimentary items to charity donations and exclusive digital experiences, our approach enhances user satisfaction while driving sustainable business growth. Intrigued by our strategy? Dive deeper into the full article to explore how these initiatives are reshaping customer loyalty in the QSR industry.

Pillar 7. Surprise & delight activities

Papa Johns UAE enhances customer appreciation with Platinum Stickers and exclusive giveaways. Platinum members enjoy VIP status with every order marked by a special sticker, enhancing their experience and emotional connection with the brand effortlessly. Moreover, our exclusive giveaways, such as high-value items, add an extra layer of excitement and motivation for all customers to aspire to Platinum status.

Pillar 8. Exclusive events and other experiences for platinum members

Experience firsthand how Papa Johns UAE strengthens customer connections with exclusive VIP tasting events for Platinum members. These events offer an early taste of new menu items and provide a unique opportunity for direct engagement with C-level management, including Papa Johns UAE’s CEO and Chief Marketing Officer. Discover how these events elevate customer satisfaction and loyalty while driving increased app engagement. Intrigued by our approach? Dive into the full article to learn more about our successful event strategies and their positive impact on customer engagement and business growth.

Watch our video to see firsthand how our gamified loyalty program enhances customer engagement and drives business growth.

 

In conclusion, our 8 Pillars of a Winning Loyalty Program with a Market-Unique Gamified Experience demonstrate that loyalty is not merely a program but a strategic initiative to connect deeply with customers, drive revenue, and differentiate in a competitive landscape. Join us on this journey of innovation and customer-centricity.

Are you ready to grow?

Do you want to start a game-changing loyalty program for your restaurant? Regardless of the size of your business, we offer you the chance to experience the best world practices and build real connections and relationships with your audience. This will not only make your customers truly love your brand but also boost your restaurant’s revenue.

If you’re ready to grow, leave your contact information here. Our team will conduct a free analysis of your online sales channel and unlock the potential you can achieve by effectively engaging with your most valuable asset—your customers.

About the author
Anna
Anna is a Content Marketing Lead at LoyaltyPlant who is passionate about sharing knowledge, simplifying complex concepts, and nurturing the team to achieve ambitious goals.

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