A “Sticky” Ecosystem Inspires Loyalty: McDonald’s digital investments — such as in-app ordering, personalized offers, and drive-thru integration — create a “sticky” platform that makes it easier and more rewarding for customers to use loyalty.
Engaged Guests Spend More: Even as McDonald’s U.S. sales declined 3.6% in Q1 2025, loyalty spending remained strong. Loyalty programs are not just marketing tools, but revenue stabilizers, offering more predictable transaction volumes.
Consistency of Experience Matters: When loyalty programs are built on a centralized platform with shared data and analytics, brands of any size can deploy a consistent loyalty experience, uncover patterns, personalize offers, and make smarter decisions.
Personalization Pays Off: McDonald’s studies what guests like and sends them offers they’re more likely to use. The more your offers match your customers’ habits, the more likely they are to return and spend more.
Start Small: QSRs of any size can take a page from McDonald’s playbook by using a customer data platform (CDP) to unify data from point-of-sale, mobile apps, online orders, and loyalty programs. With a CDP, operators can see patterns, spot opportunities, and deliver smarter, more personalized campaigns across multiple locations.
