You can launch a loyalty card in one week: pick your reward and rules on day 1, set up the card on day 2, train staff on day 3, put up posters on day 4, soft launch on day 5, and tell everyone on days 6 and 7. The most important step is getting staff to mention it at the till. A poster alone won't do it.
What do you need before you start?
Very little. Have these ready:
- 📝 A rough idea of your reward.
- 📱 A phone or tablet for staff to scan with.
- 🖨️ A printer or a local print shop for the poster.
- ⏰ About 15 minutes with your team before a shift.
Day 1: What reward and rules should you pick?
Pick one reward and three rules. Keep it simple enough to explain in one breath.
- Choose stamps or points. Stamps for steady visits, points for varied spending. See stamps or points.
- Set the target. "Buy 9, get the 10th free" is a classic.
- Decide per visit or per item. Write it down.
- Set a cooldown and daily cap. Stops double stamps.
- Pick a name. Optional, but handy. "Bean Club" is easier to say than "loyalty program".
Day 2: How do you set up the card?
Build the card and test it on your own phone.
- ✅ Add your logo and colours.
- ✅ Enter the reward and rules from day 1.
- ✅ Decide what to ask at sign-up. A first name is enough to start.
- ✅ Add the card to your own phone. Scan it. Add a stamp. Make sure it updates.
- ✅ Fill a test card to see what the reward looks like.
Day 3: How do you train your staff?
Hold a short huddle before a shift. Show, don't tell.
- Show the card on your phone.
- Show how to scan and add a stamp.
- Show what a full card looks like.
- Give everyone one line to say, word for word.
- Have each person do one practice scan.
More detail in how to get your staff on board.
Day 4: Where should the poster go?
Right next to the card reader, at eye level. That's where people look while they pay.
- ✅ Print the poster with your QR code.
- ✅ Put the reward in big letters: "Your 10th coffee is on us".
- ✅ Add "No app. 10 seconds."
- ✅ Test-scan it from where a customer stands.
- ✅ A second one at the pickup counter or on tables, if you have them.
For more placement ideas, see how to get customers to scan your QR code.
Day 5: Why do a soft launch?
To catch problems while the stakes are low. Turn it on, but don't announce it yet. Let staff offer it to your regulars only.
Watch for:
- Questions customers ask that staff can't answer.
- Scans that are slow or fail.
- Rules that cause confusion.
Fix those tonight. Your regulars will forgive a hiccup. They'll also be your first fans.
Days 6 and 7: How do you tell everyone?
Now go wide. Use every place your customers already see you.
- Instagram bio. Add your sign-up link with one line: "Free 10th coffee 👇".
- A short video. Film someone joining in 10 seconds. Post it.
- Pin a post. Explain the card so new followers see it first.
- A sign on the door. "New: our loyalty card lives in your phone."
- Staff ask everyone. Every customer, every order, for the whole weekend.
What if launch week goes sideways?
Don't panic. Most hiccups are small and quick to fix. A poster in a bad spot gets moved. A confusing rule gets rewritten. A staff member who forgets gets a friendly reminder.
The only real mistake is giving up after a slow first week. Some regulars won't join until they've seen the card a few times. Give it a month before you judge it.
What should you check after launch week?
Take ten minutes at the end of the week. Look at three things:
- 📈 Sign-ups. Are people joining? If not, check the poster spot and whether staff are asking.
- 🗣️ Staff habits. Are they saying the line? Remind them at the next huddle.
- ❓ Questions. What did customers ask? Add the answers to a note by the till.
Then keep going. Launch week is the start. The real payoff comes when regulars start filling cards. Keep on truckin'. 🚐
How does Regulars fit this checklist?
Regulars covers days 2 and 4 for you. You set up a stamp or points card for Apple Wallet and Google Wallet, and a counter poster with your QR code is generated for you. Staff scan with any phone or tablet and sign in with a PIN. You also get a link page for your bio and six automatic messages, on by default. Every plan has a 30-day free trial. See pricing.
Questions people ask
How long does it take to launch a loyalty card?
A simple stamp card can be ready in a week, including staff training and a soft launch. The setup itself is the quick part. Getting the team comfortable takes a few days.
Should I do a soft launch first?
Yes. Run it with regulars and staff for a day or two before you promote it. You'll catch confusing rules and poster problems early.
What is the most important part of a loyalty card launch?
Staff asking every customer. A poster alone gets ignored. One friendly line at the till makes the biggest difference.
How do I tell customers about my new loyalty card?
Put a poster by the card reader, add the sign-up link to your Instagram bio, post a short video of joining, and have staff mention it at checkout.
What should I check after launch week?
Look at how many people joined, whether staff are asking, and what questions customers had. Fix the poster or the script if sign-ups are slow.
