GERTIE Restaurant Launches a Revolutionary Loyalty Program

GERTIE, the Williamsburg diner that is the first to launch Blackbird’s loyalty program, is an essential all-day joint for the neighborhood. The diner opened in 2019 and battled through the pandemic by shape-shifting. GERTIE is now using Blackbird’s platform to introduce a tiered Friends & Family program that rewards customers with freebies and perks as they make repeated visits to the restaurant.

The restaurant industry is highly competitive, and owners are always looking for ways to differentiate themselves from their competitors. One way to achieve this is by implementing a successful loyalty program that rewards customers for their repeat business. By offering these bespoke loyalty programs that reward customers with personalized perks and benefits, restaurants can create a direct connection with their clients and turn them into loyal fans. In GERTIES’s case, customers become “Neighbors” on their first visit, “Friends” at ten visits, and “Fam” on the fifteenth visit. These tiers are configured by the restaurant, making the program highly customizable.

Loyalty programs have been around for decades, but they have evolved significantly over the years. Today’s loyalty programs are personalized, and restaurants can configure them to suit their brand and customer base. This flexibility allows restaurants to offer rewards that are meaningful, align with their business model and help to build brand loyalty over time. 

In this case, customers tap GERTIE’s Blackbird-powered NFC chip to unlock the reward levels. On the first tap, a free cookie, sourced from a nearby bakery, comes your way. On the second, coffee is on the house. Over time, customers receive more personalized perks, such as a personalized coffee mug that is always at the shop awaiting their arrival.

The benefits of a successful loyalty program are numerous. First and foremost, a loyalty program can increase customer retention and repeat business. By offering rewards for repeat visits, restaurants can incentivize customers to come back again and again. This not only increases revenue but also helps to build a loyal client base that is more likely to recommend the establishment to others.

Secondly, a loyalty program can help restaurants to gain valuable insights into their customers’ behavior and preferences. By tracking customer data, restaurants can identify trends and patterns in their clients, which can be used to inform marketing and menu decisions.

Thirdly, a loyalty program can help restaurants to differentiate themselves from their competitors. By offering unique and personalized rewards, restaurants can create a point of differentiation that sets them apart from their competitors.

Overall, loyalty programs are an essential tool for the restaurant industry. They help to build brand loyalty, increase customer retention, and gain valuable insights into customer behavior. By implementing successful loyalty programs, restaurants can differentiate themselves from their competitors and deliver a better customer experience.

In summary, Blackbird’s partnership with GERTIE demonstrates the benefits of its loyalty and membership rails for the retail industry. Blackbird’s highly customizable platform enables restaurants to deliver better customer experiences and increase their profitability by making benefits a line of business. The use of NFTs adds an extra layer of security and verification, ensuring that customers receive the rewards they are entitled to. By creating bespoke loyalty programs, Blackbird is helping restaurants turn good experiences into great ones and delivering magic at scale.