The Cost-Squeeze Guide for UK Hospitality in 2025: Four Pivots You Must Make

Punch‑card loyalty programs and POS-based punch-ins (often a paid extra!) are everywhere — but they rarely deliver lasting value. If your café wants to stand out, build real relationships, and boost revenue, you need more than just reward stamps. Here’s why — and what makes WeReward different.
 
1. Paper Cards Are Easy, But Forgettable

Many businesses still use “Buy 9 coffees, get the 10th free” punch cards. They’re cheap and simple to implement, but:

  • Customers lose them, forget to bring them, or forget to use them.

  • They don’t capture any data on who’s buying what and when.

  • They trigger occasional repeat visits — but do nothing to foster brand loyalty or upselling.

 
2. POS-Loyalty Add‑Ons Aren’t Enough

Leading POS systems like Square and Epos Now now offer loyalty integrations — but user feedback shows multiple issues:

  • Square Loyalty costs an extra monthly fee and is often used only as “a reward, not a customer‑growth tool.” One business owner on Reddit reported it brought customers back — but “not many new ones,” and felt like a generic reward rather than something meaningful  .

  • Epos Now Loyalty is bundled with a POS system, but users complain online about poor customer service, system glitches, and slow setup — not what busy businesses need.

  • These POS-loyalty tools offer stamps via cards or phone number, but lack everything dashboards, push messaging, or customer engagement.

 
3. What These Tools Don’t Deliver

Missing Element

Why It Matters

WeReward Solution

Branded mobile app

Keeps brand front and centre

Your own app in customers’ hands

Push notifications

Drives immediate engagement

Send promos, events, menu updates instantly

Customer analytics

Enables smart marketing

See who buys what and when — send tailored messages

Ordering/booking tools

Boosts revenue and convenience

Enable in-app ordering, bookings, or tables

No commissions

Maximises revenue capture

Flat monthly fee — no hidden charges

 
4. True Engagement = Community

WeReward isn’t just a punch or points app — it’s designed to create community:

  • Customers feel connected via your brand, not a generic POS system.

  • Exclusive perks (birthday offers, VIP deals, early access) build real relationships.

  • Direct communication via the app shows your business truly cares.

That’s different from a generic loyalty add-on — community builds ongoing connection, not just repeat visits.

 
5. Convenience Drives Use

Paper cards are inconvenient; POS points often require customers to give their phone number. WeReward simplifies it all:

  • An App puts your business directly in your customers hands..

  • One-tap login, instant reward tracking, easy redemption.

  • Seamless – no need to juggle cards or remember codes.

 
6. Designed for Growth and Profit

WeReward’s ROI is both fast and measurable:

  • 15–20% uplift in visit frequency

  • 10%+ increase in average spend

  • Better margins from in-app ordering vs. third-party delivery

  • Fast payback — often within 1–2 months with modest traffic

 
7. Built for Cafés — Not One-Size-Fits-All

Unlike generic POS loyalty apps, WeReward is built for your business:

  • Fully branded experience — your logo, colours, and tone

  • Modular — start with loyalty, add ordering or bookings later

  • Smooth integration — works with your existing POS or systems

 
In Summary
  • Paper cards and basic POS loyalty tools are cheap to start, but limit your growth and customer connection.

  • WeReward gives you full control — branded app, real-time engagement, analytics, ordering/bookings, and no commissions.

  • It’s everything a modern business needs to stand out, build community, and grow repeat business.

If you’re ready to go beyond loyalty and into genuine customer connection, WeReward is your business’s next step forward.

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Admin@belscar

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