Staying Fit
Subscription services are all the rage with consumers willing to pay monthly for streaming content, pet food and clothing, among other things. So it’s not too much of a stretch that restaurants want to get in on the game. After all, a 2021 survey of consumers by the National Restaurant Association found one in three diners said the presence of a loyalty reward program would make them choose one restaurant over another. What’s more, 55 percent of adults surveyed said they would be willing to pay for a subscription to a local restaurant.
It makes sense in the current environment with food inflation still high. Consumers are looking for deals, and subscriptions usually come with a number of them whether it’s money off or free delivery. Not every restaurant offers a subscription, but the following four do.
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1. Panera
If you like Panera’s coffee, tea and lemonade, it has an offer for you. For $11.99 per month plus tax, or $119.99 a year, you can have any size drip hot coffee, hot tea, iced coffee, iced tea, Charged Lemonade, lemonade or fountain beverage every two hours during regular store hours and free refills of the same drink at any participating Panera throughout the U.S. Cold brew, espresso drinks and other beverages aren’t included in your subscription. Panera has a promotion giving you one month free. Only members of Panera’s free loyalty program, MyPanera, can join the subscription plan.
2. P.F. Chang’s
For $6.99 per month plus tax, loyal customers can get deals and perks through P.F. Chang’s Platinum Rewards program. Members receive 20 points with every $1 spent, which is twice as much as its free Gold Rewards program. You get free delivery with no minimum and free appetizer or dessert during your birthday month. P.F. Chang’s throws in priority reservations and VIP concierge services.
3. Pret
The coffee and sandwich chain offers two subscription plans that get you access to unlimited coffee and teas. Pret’s Premium Plan costs $40 per month and includes up to five free drinks per day. You have to wait a half hour between redemptions. The plan covers any size hot or iced coffee or tea, all espresso-based drinks, all barista-made drinks and cold brew plus one add-on such as syrup or an espresso shot. The Classic Plan is $30 per month and includes up to five free drinks per day, including an organic coffee blend and tea and one add-on.
4. Sweetgreen
Salad lovers can get deals and discounts when they sign up for the Sweetpass+ loyalty program. For $10 a month, customers get $3 off daily, free delivery and inclusion in Sweetgreen Insiders, which gives you access to exclusive opportunities and the ability to help shape future food on the menu. Sweetgreen will donate 50 percent of your first-time membership fee to carbon reduction partners that you help select.
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