ProgrammableMarketing/rewardsnetwork.com (opens in a new tab)
PDF

Views

  • Plan
  • Roadmap
  • Research

On this page

  • The brief
  • Start here
  • Idea portfolio
  • Effort vs impact
  • This week · 6
  • This quarter · 10
  • Big bets · 3
  • Wildcards · 3
  • How we can help
Generated Oct 26, 2026 4 views
  1. Programmable
  2. Playbooks
  3. Rewards Network
Rewards Network logo

growth playbook · Oct 26, 2026

rewardsnetwork.com (opens in a new tab)

Rewards Network growth playbook

Diagnosis

Rewards Network is a 40-year leader with 21,000+ restaurants, 25 million members and $3.6 billion funded, a new CEO, and a hiring push across demand generation, strategic and consumer marketing, data and 30+ field sales territories.

The marketing assets are strong but hidden: 57 success stories sit behind a sales form, the pricing page asks owners to judge the fee without numbers, new loyalty partners go unannounced, and the site still calls itself "Beta Site".

This playbook opens the proof, adds a fee calculator, backs up field reps with local stories and fast follow-up, then builds proof-of-value reports, funding-readiness lists, win-back offers, comparison pages and enterprise proof, with bets on a local dining index, discoverable restaurant pages and new bank and credit union programs.

Growth Score

7/10

Biggest Opportunity

Use the proof Rewards Network already has (57 measured success stories, member data by city) openly in search and in every rep visit, so owners can see results from restaurants like theirs before the first meeting.

Biggest Risk

Owners compare the percentage fee with discount and cash-back alternatives such as inKind and Upside; without clear numbers and local proof, door-to-door sales stay expensive.

01

Start here

The three moves to make first. Each one is written up in full below.

  1. 1

    Open up the 57 restaurant success stories and make them findable by city and cuisine

    Ungate five infographics and add search descriptions to all 57 pages.

    High impact First result in 1 month
  2. 2

    An "is it worth it for my restaurant?" calculator on the pricing page

    Agree what fee range can be shown publicly.

    High impact First result in 1 month
  3. 3

    A leave-behind with a QR code to success stories from the rep's own city

    Build the territory page for one city with existing stories.

    High impact First result in 1 month

02

Your idea portfolio

22 ideas, grouped by when to run them. Open any idea for how to run it: the steps, who to approach, copy you can use, and how to measure it.

  • 7 ideas are marked Unexpected: plays you are unlikely to have tried.

Every idea placed by the effort it takes against the impact it could have. Quick wins sit top left; select a number to open that idea. The filters below narrow the list by status, timing, category and what Programmable can build.

Effort vs impactEach number is an idea. Select one to open it.
Impact →
Quick wins · 4Big bets · 8Fill-ins · 7Reconsider · 3
Effort →

Showing 22 of 22 ideas

This week 6

Quick wins with a clear first action.

  • 01

    Rewards Network has 57 restaurant success-story pages with real numbers, such as 4,022 member dines and $106,115 in member spend for a San Francisco Indian restaurant. But each infographic sits behind a six-field sales form, none of the pages has a search description, and the success-stories hub shows only three of them. A restaurant owner checking "does Rewards Network work for a place like mine" has to hand over a phone number to see the proof.

    High impactLow effort First result in 1 month Demand Generation Manager

    First action

    Ungate five infographics and add search descriptions to all 57 pages.

    How to measure it

    Leads from story pages

    Now
    –
    Target
    2x
    By
    90 days

    Steps

    1. 1

      Pick the first five

      Highest-traffic stories in sales territories.

      Demand Generation Manager 1 day

    2. 2

      Ungate

      Infographic visible on the page.

      Web team 2 days

    3. 3

      Write descriptions

      Cuisine, city and result for all 57.

      Senior Strategic Marketing Specialist 3 days

    4. 4

      Build the library

      Filters by cuisine, city and product.

      Web team 1 week

    5. 5

      New form offer

      Custom estimate for your restaurant.

      Demand Generation Manager 2 days

    6. 6

      Territory links

      Stories by area for each rep.

      Data Analyst, Marketing 1 week

    7. 7

      Measure

      Lead volume and MQL-to-opportunity rate vs gated.

      Demand Generation Manager monthly

    First result
    1 month
    Cost
    Staff time only
    Owner
    Demand Generation Manager

    Smallest test

    Ungate five stories and compare opportunities with the gated ones for a month.

    Why it works

    Publish every infographic in full on its page, with a written summary and a search description naming the cuisine and city. Add a filterable library (cuisine, city, single or multi-location, marketing or funding) to the success-stories hub. Move the form to the end as an offer: "Get the same report estimated for your restaurant". Give field reps a link to the stories for their territory.

    Proof from a similar restaurant nearby is what convinces an owner, and open pages rank for "Rewards Network reviews" and local searches. Leads who ask for their own estimate after reading are warmer than leads who filled a form to read.

    Ready to use

    ChecklistProof library launch list

    [ ] All 57 infographics visible without a form
[ ] Search description per page (cuisine, city, result)
[ ] Filters: cuisine, city, locations, product
[ ] Hub links to the full library, not three stories
[ ] End-of-page offer: estimate for your restaurant
[ ] Territory story lists for field reps
[ ] Salesforce source tag for story-page leads

    Risks and how to handle them

    • Fewer raw form fills

      Judge on opportunities and deals, not form counts.

    • Restaurant consent

      Use only stories already published; confirm sign-off for new ones.

    Evidence

    • HiringDemand Generation Manager (posted October 5, 2026, Chicago): builds "B2B acquisition programs that generate qualified restaurant leads" across "paid, email, SEO/content, event follow-up, and targeted outbound support"; owns nurture, lead scoring inputs and SDR handoffs; monitors "speed-to-lead effectiveness"; reports "MQL-to-opportunity-to-deal movement" in Salesforce, Marketing Cloud and Domo; and leads "follow-up strategy for trade shows and events".Source
    • Your websiteSuccess stories: the sitemap lists 57 restaurant "infographic" pages. Each shows headline numbers on the page (for example Kasa Indian Eatery in San Francisco: 4,022 member dines and $106,115 in member spend from August 2024 to August 2026; Tacos & Beer in Las Vegas: 5,171 member dines and $337,592) but puts the infographic behind a form asking for name, restaurant, phone, phone type, email and zip code, and none of these pages has a meta description. The "Restaurant success stories" page shows six video stories, four quotes (one: the program lets a cafe "serve locals as well as traveling guests from all over") and three of the 57 infographics.Source
    • HiringField sales: 30+ open Sales Account Executive roles across the US (for example Dallas, Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, Salt Lake City, Miami, Brooklyn), prospecting "through cold calling, door-to-door sales (25+ daily)". A Strategic Account Manager (South Texas, posted October 12, 2026) visits "at least 12 restaurants/clubs/bars per week for business review meetings", drives renewals and upsell, and qualifies clients "for merchant cash advance products"; a Client Success Manager works to minimise churn and "upsell products (i.e. Cash)".Source
    • Your websiteHomepage: "We send full-price customers to your restaurant"; "25 million+ dining members" and "20,000 restaurants"; members "Spend as much as 24% more", have "annual credit card spend that's 2.5x more", and "return to restaurants 20% more when a representative responds to them" to reviews; pay for performance, "100% turnkey marketing", flexible funding and "$3.6 billion in total cash funded to restaurants". The contact form asks for average monthly card processing volume and current processor.Source
  • 02

    The pricing explainer says restaurants pay a percentage of each qualifying transaction and then asks the owner to decide whether the fee is worth a new diner, without giving the owner any way to work it out.

    High impactMedium effort First result in 1 month Demand Generation Manager

    First action

    Agree what fee range can be shown publicly.

    How to measure it

    Pricing-page conversion

    Now
    –
    Target
    +30%
    By
    60 days

    Steps

    1. 1

      Agree inputs

      Check, covers, slow days, margin.

      Data Analyst, Marketing 3 days

    2. 2

      Set ranges

      Public fee range and visit benchmarks.

      Chief Marketing & Strategy Officer 1 week

    3. 3

      Build

      On the pricing explainer.

      Web team 1 week

    4. 4

      Pass answers

      Into the Salesforce lead.

      Demand Generation Manager 2 days

    5. 5

      Train reps

      Same math on the call.

      Sales Account Executive 1 day

    6. 6

      Test

      Against the current page.

      Demand Generation Manager 3 weeks

    First result
    1 month
    Cost
    Engineering time
    Owner
    Demand Generation Manager

    Smallest test

    Add a static worked example to the page this week.

    Why it works

    Add a short calculator: average check, seats or covers, slow days, and margin. It shows expected member visits from comparable restaurants (from the success-story data), the cost range, and the net gain from diners who would not have come otherwise. Offer the full estimate from a rep as the next step.

    Owners worry most about fees. Doing the math with them turns the main objection into a reason to talk, and the inputs qualify the lead.

    Risks and how to handle them

    • Estimates read as promises

      Show ranges and say what drives them.

    Evidence

    • Your websitePricing explainer: "Rewards Network charges restaurants a percentage of the total qualifying transaction when a participating diner visits", with no rate or range, and asks owners to weigh "Is the percentage fee worth bringing in a diner who might not have visited otherwise?" It sits among 16 owner-question pages updated in July and August 2026 (e.g. "is-rewards-network-worth-it-restaurants", "can-restaurants-leave-rewards-network-programs").Source
    • Your websiteSuccess stories: the sitemap lists 57 restaurant "infographic" pages. Each shows headline numbers on the page (for example Kasa Indian Eatery in San Francisco: 4,022 member dines and $106,115 in member spend from August 2024 to August 2026; Tacos & Beer in Las Vegas: 5,171 member dines and $337,592) but puts the infographic behind a form asking for name, restaurant, phone, phone type, email and zip code, and none of these pages has a meta description. The "Restaurant success stories" page shows six video stories, four quotes (one: the program lets a cafe "serve locals as well as traveling guests from all over") and three of the 57 infographics.Source
    • HiringData Analyst, Marketing (posted October 1, 2026): "Discover new customer insights and trends related to our restaurant customer base" and "Translate complex data into actionable customer insights" for "go-to-market materials, processes, and presentations for our distribution teams".Source
    • HiringDemand Generation Manager (posted October 5, 2026, Chicago): builds "B2B acquisition programs that generate qualified restaurant leads" across "paid, email, SEO/content, event follow-up, and targeted outbound support"; owns nurture, lead scoring inputs and SDR handoffs; monitors "speed-to-lead effectiveness"; reports "MQL-to-opportunity-to-deal movement" in Salesforce, Marketing Cloud and Domo; and leads "follow-up strategy for trade shows and events".Source
  • 03

    Rewards Network's 30+ field reps knock on 25+ restaurant doors a day. The owner who says "not now" has nothing to check later except a generic website.

    High impactLow effort First result in 1 month Sales Account Executive

    First action

    Build the territory page for one city with existing stories.

    How to measure it

    Second meetings from QR scans

    Now
    –
    Target
    15% of scans
    By
    90 days

    Steps

    1. 1

      Build city pages

      Stories grouped by territory.

      Data Analyst, Marketing 1 week

    2. 2

      Design the card

      QR, rep, video.

      Creative Director 3 days

    3. 3

      Track scans

      Per rep in Salesforce.

      Demand Generation Manager 2 days

    4. 4

      Pilot

      Five territories.

      Regional Sales Manager 1 month

    5. 5

      Follow up

      Within 48 hours of a scan.

      Sales Account Executive ongoing

    6. 6

      Roll out

      All territories.

      Regional Sales Manager 1 quarter

    First result
    1 month
    Cost
    Printing costs
    Owner
    Sales Account Executive

    Smallest test

    Give one rep 200 cards for two weeks.

    Why it works

    Print a card per territory with a QR code to a page of nearby success stories, the rep's name and direct number, and a two-minute video. Track scans per rep in Salesforce and follow up with the owner who scans within 48 hours.

    Owners decide after the visit, often in the evening. Local proof and the rep's own number keep the conversation going, and scans show which doors to revisit.

    Risks and how to handle them

    • Few stories in some cities

      Use the nearest city and the same cuisine.

    Evidence

    • HiringField sales: 30+ open Sales Account Executive roles across the US (for example Dallas, Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, Salt Lake City, Miami, Brooklyn), prospecting "through cold calling, door-to-door sales (25+ daily)". A Strategic Account Manager (South Texas, posted October 12, 2026) visits "at least 12 restaurants/clubs/bars per week for business review meetings", drives renewals and upsell, and qualifies clients "for merchant cash advance products"; a Client Success Manager works to minimise churn and "upsell products (i.e. Cash)".Source
    • Your websiteSuccess stories: the sitemap lists 57 restaurant "infographic" pages. Each shows headline numbers on the page (for example Kasa Indian Eatery in San Francisco: 4,022 member dines and $106,115 in member spend from August 2024 to August 2026; Tacos & Beer in Las Vegas: 5,171 member dines and $337,592) but puts the infographic behind a form asking for name, restaurant, phone, phone type, email and zip code, and none of these pages has a meta description. The "Restaurant success stories" page shows six video stories, four quotes (one: the program lets a cafe "serve locals as well as traveling guests from all over") and three of the 57 infographics.Source
    • Your websiteChannels: a YouTube channel with 443 subscribers, 74 videos and about 107,000 views; restaurant testimonial landing pages (e.g. Wild Wasabi, Tu Asador, PLNT Burger); an enterprise solutions page; a 2024 National Restaurant Association show landing page; and a 2025 partnership with Craveworthy Brands.Source
  • 04

    The Demand Generation Manager is measured on speed-to-lead and lead quality, and the site's contact form already asks for monthly card processing volume and current processor. That is enough to route each lead immediately.

    High impactLow effort First result in 2 weeks Demand Generation Manager

    First action

    Measure today's median time from form fill to first call.

    How to measure it

    Lead-to-meeting rate

    Now
    –
    Target
    +25%
    By
    60 days

    Steps

    1. 1

      Measure

      Current response time.

      Demand Generation Manager 1 day

    2. 2

      Set bands

      Volume and zip routing rules.

      Revenue Operations 2 days

    3. 3

      Alerts

      Five-minute target.

      Revenue Operations 2 days

    4. 4

      Text fallback

      If no answer.

      Revenue Operations 2 days

    5. 5

      Report

      Meetings by response time.

      Demand Generation Manager weekly

    6. 6

      Coach

      Slow responders.

      Regional Sales Manager weekly

    First result
    2 weeks
    Cost
    Staff time only
    Owner
    Demand Generation Manager

    Smallest test

    Route one week of leads by hand and compare.

    Why it works

    Route form leads by volume band and zip code: larger volumes to the territory rep or enterprise team, smaller ones to inside sales, all with a five-minute call target and a text if unanswered. Report contact rate and opportunities by response time.

    Restaurant owners are busy and compare options quickly; the first company to call usually gets the meeting.

    Risks and how to handle them

    • After-hours leads

      Text immediately and call at opening.

    Evidence

    • HiringDemand Generation Manager (posted October 5, 2026, Chicago): builds "B2B acquisition programs that generate qualified restaurant leads" across "paid, email, SEO/content, event follow-up, and targeted outbound support"; owns nurture, lead scoring inputs and SDR handoffs; monitors "speed-to-lead effectiveness"; reports "MQL-to-opportunity-to-deal movement" in Salesforce, Marketing Cloud and Domo; and leads "follow-up strategy for trade shows and events".Source
    • Your websiteHomepage: "We send full-price customers to your restaurant"; "25 million+ dining members" and "20,000 restaurants"; members "Spend as much as 24% more", have "annual credit card spend that's 2.5x more", and "return to restaurants 20% more when a representative responds to them" to reviews; pay for performance, "100% turnkey marketing", flexible funding and "$3.6 billion in total cash funded to restaurants". The contact form asks for average monthly card processing volume and current processor.Source
    • HiringField sales: 30+ open Sales Account Executive roles across the US (for example Dallas, Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, Salt Lake City, Miami, Brooklyn), prospecting "through cold calling, door-to-door sales (25+ daily)". A Strategic Account Manager (South Texas, posted October 12, 2026) visits "at least 12 restaurants/clubs/bars per week for business review meetings", drives renewals and upsell, and qualifies clients "for merchant cash advance products"; a Client Success Manager works to minimise churn and "upsell products (i.e. Cash)".Source
  • 05

    The site's header and structured data still describe rewardsnetwork.com as "Beta Site". Search engines may show that next to the brand, which undercuts a 40-year company selling trust and funding.

    Low impactLow effort First result in 2 weeks Web team

    First action

    Update the tagline in WordPress settings.

    How to measure it

    Branded click-through

    Now
    –
    Target
    +3%
    By
    60 days

    Steps

    1. 1

      Write the line

      Short and accurate.

      Chief Marketing & Strategy Officer 1 hour

    2. 2

      Update tagline

      WordPress settings.

      Web team 10 minutes

    3. 3

      Check schema

      WebSite description.

      Web team 1 hour

    4. 4

      Request recrawl

      Search Console.

      Web team 10 minutes

    5. 5

      Check previews

      Social and messaging.

      Web team 1 hour

    6. 6

      Review

      Search snippet in two weeks.

      Demand Generation Manager 2 weeks

    First result
    2 weeks
    Cost
    $0
    Owner
    Web team

    Smallest test

    Change it today.

    Why it works

    Change the WordPress tagline and the WebSite structured data to a real description (for example "Card-linked dining rewards and restaurant funding"), then request recrawl of the homepage.

    A one-line fix removes an odd signal from every search result and link preview.

    Risks and how to handle them

    • Theme hard-codes the text

      Check the header template too.

    Evidence

    • Your websiteThe site's header and its WebSite structured data describe the site as "Beta Site", the text search engines may use alongside the site name.Source
    • Your websiteCEO succession release: Stephen Fusco, president since 2018, became CEO on January 1, 2026; the company counts "over 21,000 local, independent restaurant customers and 25 million enrolled cardmembers", tripled active members and doubled restaurants under the previous CEO, and is "investing in several key areas including technology, operations, and sales".Source
  • 06

    Rewards Network adds programs (Wyndham Rewards is "our newest program partner"; Choice Privileges and T-Mobile Dining have landing pages), but the newsroom's last partner release is Fetch in 2025. Every new partner is a reason for a prospect to say yes and a customer to stay.

    Medium impactLow effort First result in 1 month Director

    First action

    Write the Wyndham Rewards and Choice Privileges releases.

    How to measure it

    Meetings from partner news

    Now
    –
    Target
    100 per launch
    By
    2 quarters

    Steps

    1. 1

      Backfill releases

      Recent partners.

      Director, Partner & Consumer Marketing 1 week

    2. 2

      Restaurant email

      Current customers.

      Director, Partner & Consumer Marketing 1 week

    3. 3

      Talk track

      For reps.

      Senior Strategic Marketing Specialist 2 days

    4. 4

      Prospect sequence

      By area.

      Demand Generation Manager 1 week

    5. 5

      Co-announce

      With the partner.

      Senior Manager, New Business & Innovation 2 weeks

    6. 6

      Measure

      Meetings and renewals.

      Demand Generation Manager per launch

    First result
    1 month
    Cost
    Staff time only
    Owner
    Director, Partner & Consumer Marketing

    Smallest test

    Send the Wyndham email to current restaurants.

    Why it works

    For each new partner: a press release, an email to current restaurants ("members of X can now find you"), a sales talk track, and an outreach sequence to prospects in areas where that program's members are concentrated.

    New audiences are the most concrete proof that the network keeps growing, and timely news gives reps a reason to call.

    Risks and how to handle them

    • Partner approval delays

      Agree announcement terms in the contract.

    Evidence

    • Your websitePartners page: members "come from 40+ rewards programs"; "Welcome our newest program partner: Wyndham Rewards". Landing pages exist for Wyndham, Choice Privileges and T-Mobile Dining, but the newsroom's latest partner press release is Fetch (May 2025). Job posts name United, Delta, Bilt, Fetch and Rakuten as partners.Source
    • HiringCreative Director (posted September 10, 2026): Rewards Network "powers nearly 20 white label, well established loyalty programs"; the role directs "sales enablement materials, product explanations / demonstrations / tutorials, customer testimonials". Senior Manager, New Business & Innovation (posted October 8, 2026) sources "new member-program opportunities", outbound rather than inbound.Source
    • Your websiteCEO succession release: Stephen Fusco, president since 2018, became CEO on January 1, 2026; the company counts "over 21,000 local, independent restaurant customers and 25 million enrolled cardmembers", tripled active members and doubled restaurants under the previous CEO, and is "investing in several key areas including technology, operations, and sales".Source

This quarter 10

The core plays for the next three months.

  • 07

    The Senior Strategic Marketing Specialist will own Business Review materials and proof-of-value tools, and account managers hold review meetings with 12 restaurants a week. The infographics already show the format: member dines, monthly average and member spend.

    High impactMedium effort First result in 1 quarter Senior Strategic Marketing Sp…

    First action

    Build the template with the fields already used in the infographics.

    How to measure it

    Renewals

    Now
    –
    Target
    +5 points
    By
    3 quarters

    Steps

    1. 1

      Template

      Infographic fields plus comparisons.

      Senior Strategic Marketing Specialist 2 weeks

    2. 2

      Data pipeline

      Monthly per restaurant.

      Data Analyst, Marketing 1 month

    3. 3

      Design

      One page.

      Creative Director 2 weeks

    4. 4

      Send

      Email and app.

      Client Success Manager quarterly

    5. 5

      Use in reviews

      As the agenda.

      Strategic Account Manager ongoing

    6. 6

      Measure

      Renewals with vs without.

      Data Analyst, Marketing quarterly

    First result
    1 quarter
    Cost
    Data team time
    Owner
    Senior Strategic Marketing Specialist

    Smallest test

    Send hand-made reports to 50 restaurants.

    Why it works

    Generate a one-page quarterly report for every restaurant from the same data (member dines, new versus repeat members, spend, reviews answered, comparison with similar restaurants), sent by email and in the app, and used as the agenda for reviews and renewals.

    Restaurants renew what they can see working, and a standard report scales the review meeting to all 21,000 customers.

    Risks and how to handle them

    • Weak results visible

      Pair them with a specific fix the rep offers.

    Evidence

    • HiringSenior Strategic Marketing Specialist (posted September 11, 2026): creates sales and service materials and will "own the creation of regular Business Review materials and proof of value tools". Director, Strategic Restaurant Marketing (posted September 10, 2026): sits with senior sales leaders selling "marketing services and capital products to sophisticated, national restaurant enterprises", owns Business Reviews, and learns "the specific language that our competitors use".Source
    • Your websiteSuccess stories: the sitemap lists 57 restaurant "infographic" pages. Each shows headline numbers on the page (for example Kasa Indian Eatery in San Francisco: 4,022 member dines and $106,115 in member spend from August 2024 to August 2026; Tacos & Beer in Las Vegas: 5,171 member dines and $337,592) but puts the infographic behind a form asking for name, restaurant, phone, phone type, email and zip code, and none of these pages has a meta description. The "Restaurant success stories" page shows six video stories, four quotes (one: the program lets a cafe "serve locals as well as traveling guests from all over") and three of the 57 infographics.Source
    • HiringField sales: 30+ open Sales Account Executive roles across the US (for example Dallas, Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, Salt Lake City, Miami, Brooklyn), prospecting "through cold calling, door-to-door sales (25+ daily)". A Strategic Account Manager (South Texas, posted October 12, 2026) visits "at least 12 restaurants/clubs/bars per week for business review meetings", drives renewals and upsell, and qualifies clients "for merchant cash advance products"; a Client Success Manager works to minimise churn and "upsell products (i.e. Cash)".Source
    • App StoreThe restaurant-side Rewards Network iOS app is rated 4.9 from 144 ratings; owners view analytics, "Respond to verified reviews", toggle between locations and update "events and specials for your restaurant's dedicated webpage".Source
  • 08

    Account managers are asked to qualify clients for merchant cash advance and to upsell Cash. Rewards Network already sees each restaurant's card sales trend and history in the program.

    High impactMedium effort First result in 1 quarter Data Analyst

    First action

    Pull last year's funded restaurants and find the pattern before funding.

    How to measure it

    Funded deals from scored list

    Now
    –
    Target
    +20%
    By
    2 quarters

    Steps

    1. 1

      Find patterns

      Past funded clients.

      Data Analyst, Marketing 2 weeks

    2. 2

      Build score

      Readiness and reason.

      Data Analyst, Marketing 1 month

    3. 3

      Risk review

      With underwriting.

      Merchant Cash Advance Underwriter 2 weeks

    4. 4

      Deliver list

      Monthly to account managers.

      Data Analyst, Marketing monthly

    5. 5

      Call

      Top names.

      Strategic Account Manager monthly

    6. 6

      Measure

      Take-up and repayment.

      Data Analyst, Marketing monthly

    First result
    1 quarter
    Cost
    Analyst time
    Owner
    Data Analyst, Marketing

    Smallest test

    Hand one region a list of 30 names.

    Why it works

    Score each restaurant monthly on funding readiness (steady sales, seasonality ahead, past repayment) and hand account managers a short list with a reason ("summer peak coming, patio season"). Track take-up and repayment by score.

    A timely, personalised offer converts better than a generic pitch, and the data is already there.

    Risks and how to handle them

    • Pushing funding on weak businesses

      Underwriting signs off on the score.

    Evidence

    • HiringField sales: 30+ open Sales Account Executive roles across the US (for example Dallas, Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, Salt Lake City, Miami, Brooklyn), prospecting "through cold calling, door-to-door sales (25+ daily)". A Strategic Account Manager (South Texas, posted October 12, 2026) visits "at least 12 restaurants/clubs/bars per week for business review meetings", drives renewals and upsell, and qualifies clients "for merchant cash advance products"; a Client Success Manager works to minimise churn and "upsell products (i.e. Cash)".Source
    • HiringData Analyst, Marketing (posted October 1, 2026): "Discover new customer insights and trends related to our restaurant customer base" and "Translate complex data into actionable customer insights" for "go-to-market materials, processes, and presentations for our distribution teams".Source
    • Your websiteHomepage: "We send full-price customers to your restaurant"; "25 million+ dining members" and "20,000 restaurants"; members "Spend as much as 24% more", have "annual credit card spend that's 2.5x more", and "return to restaurants 20% more when a representative responds to them" to reviews; pay for performance, "100% turnkey marketing", flexible funding and "$3.6 billion in total cash funded to restaurants". The contact form asks for average monthly card processing volume and current processor.Source
  • 09

    The Director of Partner & Consumer Marketing is asked to build triggers that catch weakening engagement and send win-back offers before a member goes inactive. Restaurants with slow days want exactly those diners.

    High impactMedium effort First result in 1 quarter Director

    First action

    Size how many members lapse each month.

    How to measure it

    Lapsed members who dine again

    Now
    –
    Target
    15%
    By
    2 quarters

    Steps

    1. 1

      Define lapsing

      Per member pattern.

      Data Analyst, Marketing 2 weeks

    2. 2

      Restaurant opt-in

      Slow-day bonus.

      Strategic Account Manager 1 month

    3. 3

      Build trigger

      Automated.

      B2C Product Manager 1 month

    4. 4

      Partner approval

      Channel rules.

      Director, Partner & Consumer Marketing 1 month

    5. 5

      Holdout test

      Measure lift.

      Data Analyst, Marketing 1 quarter

    6. 6

      Scale

      Winning offers.

      Director, Partner & Consumer Marketing ongoing

    First result
    1 quarter
    Cost
    Bonus rewards budget
    Owner
    Director, Partner & Consumer Marketing

    Smallest test

    Run one win-back offer in one city with a holdout.

    Why it works

    Define "lapsing" per member (no dine in X weeks versus their own pattern), match them with nearby restaurants that opted into extra rewards on slow days, and send a bonus offer through the partner program's channel. Hold out a control group to measure lift.

    It raises member dining frequency and fills empty tables, so both sides of the network gain.

    Risks and how to handle them

    • Margin erosion

      Cap by CAC/LTV guardrails.

    Evidence

    • HiringDirector, Partner & Consumer Marketing (posted September 15, 2026): designs consumer bonus-credit offers ("Spend $100 get $20", "Spend $500 get $125"), sets "strict guardrails for Customer Acquisition Cost (CAC) and Lifetime Value (LTV)", builds "predictive cohort segmentation", runs "systematic A/B testing", and programs "automated behavioral triggers that detect weakening engagement and inject custom win-back or rescue offers before a diner becomes in-active".Source
    • HiringB2C Product Manager: owns the consumer experience "across our 25M+ member base" connecting members "with our 20,000+ partner restaurants" and "30+ partner programs", across web, apps and "email/SMS/push", including "search and discovery, and post-dining engagement", measured on "activation, retention, dining frequency, member LTV, NPS".Source
    • Your websitePricing explainer: "Rewards Network charges restaurants a percentage of the total qualifying transaction when a participating diner visits", with no rate or range, and asks owners to weigh "Is the percentage fee worth bringing in a diner who might not have visited otherwise?" It sits among 16 owner-question pages updated in July and August 2026 (e.g. "is-rewards-network-worth-it-restaurants", "can-restaurants-leave-rewards-network-programs").Source
  • 10

    The homepage says members return 20% more when a representative responds to their review, and the restaurant app (rated 4.9) lets owners reply. That only works if owners do it.

    Medium impactLow effort First result in 1 quarter Client Success Manager

    First action

    Measure response rate across the network.

    How to measure it

    Restaurants replying to reviews

    Now
    –
    Target
    60%
    By
    2 quarters

    Steps

    1. 1

      Baseline

      Response rate.

      Data Analyst, Marketing 1 week

    2. 2

      Draft replies

      Suggested text in the app.

      B2C Product Manager 1 month

    3. 3

      Weekly reminder

      Push notification.

      B2C Product Manager 2 weeks

    4. 4

      Review meetings

      Add response rate.

      Strategic Account Manager ongoing

    5. 5

      Recognise

      Top responders.

      Client Success Manager monthly

    6. 6

      Measure

      Return visits vs response.

      Data Analyst, Marketing quarterly

    First result
    1 quarter
    Cost
    Product time
    Owner
    Client Success Manager

    Smallest test

    Remind 200 restaurants for a month.

    Why it works

    Report each restaurant's response rate, send a weekly app reminder with draft replies to approve, and make response rate part of the business review. Celebrate top responders in the customer newsletter.

    More replies mean more return visits, which raises the restaurant's results and renewal odds.

    Risks and how to handle them

    • Generic replies

      Owners edit drafts before sending.

    Evidence

    • Your websiteHomepage: "We send full-price customers to your restaurant"; "25 million+ dining members" and "20,000 restaurants"; members "Spend as much as 24% more", have "annual credit card spend that's 2.5x more", and "return to restaurants 20% more when a representative responds to them" to reviews; pay for performance, "100% turnkey marketing", flexible funding and "$3.6 billion in total cash funded to restaurants". The contact form asks for average monthly card processing volume and current processor.Source
    • App StoreThe restaurant-side Rewards Network iOS app is rated 4.9 from 144 ratings; owners view analytics, "Respond to verified reviews", toggle between locations and update "events and specials for your restaurant's dedicated webpage".Source
    • HiringField sales: 30+ open Sales Account Executive roles across the US (for example Dallas, Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, Salt Lake City, Miami, Brooklyn), prospecting "through cold calling, door-to-door sales (25+ daily)". A Strategic Account Manager (South Texas, posted October 12, 2026) visits "at least 12 restaurants/clubs/bars per week for business review meetings", drives renewals and upsell, and qualifies clients "for merchant cash advance products"; a Client Success Manager works to minimise churn and "upsell products (i.e. Cash)".Source
  • 11

    The 16 owner-question pages were updated this summer, but 42 restaurant guides date from 2020-2022 and the blog's last post was March 2026. The Demand Generation Manager owns SEO and content.

    Medium impactMedium effort First result in 1 quarter Demand Generation Manager

    First action

    List the guides with traffic and the top 20 questions from reps.

    How to measure it

    Organic leads

    Now
    –
    Target
    +30%
    By
    2 quarters

    Steps

    1. 1

      Audit

      Traffic and age.

      Demand Generation Manager 1 week

    2. 2

      Collect questions

      From reps and calls.

      Senior Strategic Marketing Specialist 1 week

    3. 3

      Update or redirect

      Old guides.

      Content writer 1 month

    4. 4

      Write new answers

      20 pages.

      Content writer 1 quarter

    5. 5

      Link

      Stories and calculator.

      Web team 1 week

    6. 6

      Measure

      Organic leads.

      Demand Generation Manager monthly

    First result
    1 quarter
    Cost
    Writing time
    Owner
    Demand Generation Manager

    Smallest test

    Update the five guides with the most traffic.

    Why it works

    Update or redirect the old guides, add dates and authors, and extend the owner-question series with the questions reps hear most (contracts, POS compatibility, slow days, multi-location). Link every page to the success-story library and the calculator.

    Fresh answers to the exact questions owners ask rank in search and get quoted by AI assistants, and they arrive at the call already answered.

    Risks and how to handle them

    • Thin pages

      Answer with numbers and examples.

    Evidence

    • Your websiteContent: 254 blog posts, the newest dated March 25, 2026; 42 "restaurant guides" pages (how to start a restaurant, social media, technology) last updated 2020-2022; state-of-the-industry reports for 2022, 2024 and 2025.Source
    • Your websitePricing explainer: "Rewards Network charges restaurants a percentage of the total qualifying transaction when a participating diner visits", with no rate or range, and asks owners to weigh "Is the percentage fee worth bringing in a diner who might not have visited otherwise?" It sits among 16 owner-question pages updated in July and August 2026 (e.g. "is-rewards-network-worth-it-restaurants", "can-restaurants-leave-rewards-network-programs").Source
    • HiringDemand Generation Manager (posted October 5, 2026, Chicago): builds "B2B acquisition programs that generate qualified restaurant leads" across "paid, email, SEO/content, event follow-up, and targeted outbound support"; owns nurture, lead scoring inputs and SDR handoffs; monitors "speed-to-lead effectiveness"; reports "MQL-to-opportunity-to-deal movement" in Salesforce, Marketing Cloud and Domo; and leads "follow-up strategy for trade shows and events".Source
  • 12

    The Director of Strategic Restaurant Marketing is asked to learn competitors' language. Owners compare Rewards Network with inKind ("20% back"), Upside, discount deals and delivery-app promotions, and the site has one comparison page (versus running your own loyalty program).

    High impactLow effort First result in 1 quarter Director

    First action

    Pick the three alternatives reps hear most.

    How to measure it

    Comparison-page leads

    Now
    –
    Target
    40 a month
    By
    2 quarters

    Steps

    1. 1

      Pick rivals

      From lost deals.

      Director, Strategic Restaurant Marketing 1 week

    2. 2

      Check facts

      Current offers.

      Senior Strategic Marketing Specialist 1 week

    3. 3

      Write

      Fair tables.

      Senior Strategic Marketing Specialist 2 weeks

    4. 4

      Legal review

      Claims.

      Legal 1 week

    5. 5

      Publish

      Linked from FAQs.

      Web team 2 days

    6. 6

      Competitor comparisons

      For reps.

      Director, Strategic Restaurant Marketing 1 week

    First result
    1 quarter
    Cost
    Staff time only
    Owner
    Director, Strategic Restaurant Marketing

    Smallest test

    Publish one comparison.

    Why it works

    Write factual pages comparing who pays, when, how diners are reached, whether it discounts the menu, and funding. Use the "full-price guests" point carefully and cite sources. Turn them into competitor comparisons for reps.

    Comparison searches come from owners close to a decision, and fair pages win trust.

    Risks and how to handle them

    • Claims go stale

      Review quarterly.

    Evidence

    • HiringSenior Strategic Marketing Specialist (posted September 11, 2026): creates sales and service materials and will "own the creation of regular Business Review materials and proof of value tools". Director, Strategic Restaurant Marketing (posted September 10, 2026): sits with senior sales leaders selling "marketing services and capital products to sophisticated, national restaurant enterprises", owns Business Reviews, and learns "the specific language that our competitors use".Source
    • Competitor researchRivals' own pages: inKind, "Get 20% back at the best restaurants", with prepaid house accounts at partner restaurants; Upside, "Growing repeat visits for corporate and franchise restaurants" with a measurement methodology and success stories.Source
    • Your websitePricing explainer: "Rewards Network charges restaurants a percentage of the total qualifying transaction when a participating diner visits", with no rate or range, and asks owners to weigh "Is the percentage fee worth bringing in a diner who might not have visited otherwise?" It sits among 16 owner-question pages updated in July and August 2026 (e.g. "is-rewards-network-worth-it-restaurants", "can-restaurants-leave-rewards-network-programs").Source
    • Your websiteHomepage: "We send full-price customers to your restaurant"; "25 million+ dining members" and "20,000 restaurants"; members "Spend as much as 24% more", have "annual credit card spend that's 2.5x more", and "return to restaurants 20% more when a representative responds to them" to reviews; pay for performance, "100% turnkey marketing", flexible funding and "$3.6 billion in total cash funded to restaurants". The contact form asks for average monthly card processing volume and current processor.Source
  • 13

    Rewards Network has run trade-show landing pages before (one for the 2024 National Restaurant Association show) and the Demand Generation Manager will lead event follow-up. Show leads are expensive and decay fast.

    Medium impactMedium effort First result in 1 quarter Demand Generation Manager

    First action

    Write the template for the next show.

    How to measure it

    Show opportunities

    Now
    –
    Target
    +40%
    By
    2 quarters

    Steps

    1. 1

      Template page

      Per show.

      Web team 1 week

    2. 2

      Scanning

      Into Salesforce.

      Revenue Operations 1 week

    3. 3

      Route

      By territory.

      Revenue Operations 2 days

    4. 4

      Follow up

      48 hours.

      Sales Account Executive per show

    5. 5

      Nurture

      Local stories.

      Demand Generation Manager per show

    6. 6

      Rank

      Cost per opportunity.

      Demand Generation Manager quarterly

    First result
    1 quarter
    Cost
    Show budgets
    Owner
    Demand Generation Manager

    Smallest test

    Use the template at the next show.

    Why it works

    For each show: one landing page with a show offer, badge scans tagged in Salesforce, territory routing, a 48-hour rep call and a nurture track with local success stories. Rank shows by cost per opportunity.

    A repeatable follow-up turns show spend into pipeline and shows which events to keep.

    Risks and how to handle them

    • Poor scan data

      Ask for a phone number for the offer.

    Evidence

    • HiringDemand Generation Manager (posted October 5, 2026, Chicago): builds "B2B acquisition programs that generate qualified restaurant leads" across "paid, email, SEO/content, event follow-up, and targeted outbound support"; owns nurture, lead scoring inputs and SDR handoffs; monitors "speed-to-lead effectiveness"; reports "MQL-to-opportunity-to-deal movement" in Salesforce, Marketing Cloud and Domo; and leads "follow-up strategy for trade shows and events".Source
    • Your websiteSuccess stories: the sitemap lists 57 restaurant "infographic" pages. Each shows headline numbers on the page (for example Kasa Indian Eatery in San Francisco: 4,022 member dines and $106,115 in member spend from August 2024 to August 2026; Tacos & Beer in Las Vegas: 5,171 member dines and $337,592) but puts the infographic behind a form asking for name, restaurant, phone, phone type, email and zip code, and none of these pages has a meta description. The "Restaurant success stories" page shows six video stories, four quotes (one: the program lets a cafe "serve locals as well as traveling guests from all over") and three of the 57 infographics.Source
    • HiringField sales: 30+ open Sales Account Executive roles across the US (for example Dallas, Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, Salt Lake City, Miami, Brooklyn), prospecting "through cold calling, door-to-door sales (25+ daily)". A Strategic Account Manager (South Texas, posted October 12, 2026) visits "at least 12 restaurants/clubs/bars per week for business review meetings", drives renewals and upsell, and qualifies clients "for merchant cash advance products"; a Client Success Manager works to minimise churn and "upsell products (i.e. Cash)".Source
    • Your websiteChannels: a YouTube channel with 443 subscribers, 74 videos and about 107,000 views; restaurant testimonial landing pages (e.g. Wild Wasabi, Tu Asador, PLNT Burger); an enterprise solutions page; a 2024 National Restaurant Association show landing page; and a 2025 partnership with Craveworthy Brands.Source
  • 14

    The Director of Strategic Restaurant Marketing sells to national restaurant enterprises, and Rewards Network partners with Craveworthy Brands. Most published stories are single restaurants.

    High impactMedium effort First result in 2 quarters Director

    First action

    List current groups with five or more locations.

    How to measure it

    Group opportunities

    Now
    –
    Target
    25 a quarter
    By
    2 quarters

    Steps

    1. 1

      Find groups

      Five+ locations.

      Director, Strategic Restaurant Marketing 2 weeks

    2. 2

      Interview

      Results across sites.

      Senior Strategic Marketing Specialist 1 month

    3. 3

      Publish stories

      Three.

      Senior Strategic Marketing Specialist 1 month

    4. 4

      Enterprise page

      Group features.

      Web team 1 month

    5. 5

      Form field

      Location count.

      Demand Generation Manager 1 day

    6. 6

      Measure

      Group pipeline.

      Director, Strategic Restaurant Marketing monthly

    First result
    2 quarters
    Cost
    Staff time only
    Owner
    Director, Strategic Restaurant Marketing

    Smallest test

    Publish one multi-location story.

    Why it works

    Publish three multi-location stories with results across sites, build an enterprise page that shows group reporting and funding, and route enterprise leads (by location count on the form) straight to the enterprise team.

    Groups buy on peer proof and want to know the program works at scale.

    Risks and how to handle them

    • Few groups willing to share

      Use percentages.

    Evidence

    • HiringSenior Strategic Marketing Specialist (posted September 11, 2026): creates sales and service materials and will "own the creation of regular Business Review materials and proof of value tools". Director, Strategic Restaurant Marketing (posted September 10, 2026): sits with senior sales leaders selling "marketing services and capital products to sophisticated, national restaurant enterprises", owns Business Reviews, and learns "the specific language that our competitors use".Source
    • Your websiteChannels: a YouTube channel with 443 subscribers, 74 videos and about 107,000 views; restaurant testimonial landing pages (e.g. Wild Wasabi, Tu Asador, PLNT Burger); an enterprise solutions page; a 2024 National Restaurant Association show landing page; and a 2025 partnership with Craveworthy Brands.Source
    • Your websiteSuccess stories: the sitemap lists 57 restaurant "infographic" pages. Each shows headline numbers on the page (for example Kasa Indian Eatery in San Francisco: 4,022 member dines and $106,115 in member spend from August 2024 to August 2026; Tacos & Beer in Las Vegas: 5,171 member dines and $337,592) but puts the infographic behind a form asking for name, restaurant, phone, phone type, email and zip code, and none of these pages has a meta description. The "Restaurant success stories" page shows six video stories, four quotes (one: the program lets a cafe "serve locals as well as traveling guests from all over") and three of the 57 infographics.Source
  • 15

    The pricing explainer says owners look at "how they can manage demand across the week, including slower hours or days". A restaurant that is full on Saturday cares most about Tuesday.

    Medium impactLow effort First result in 1 quarter Senior Strategic Marketing Sp…

    First action

    Chart member visits by day of week across the network.

    How to measure it

    Close rate on busy-restaurant objections

    Now
    –
    Target
    +15%
    By
    2 quarters

    Steps

    1. 1

      Chart demand

      By day of week.

      Data Analyst, Marketing 1 week

    2. 2

      Product option

      Extra rewards on chosen days.

      Director, Partner & Consumer Marketing 1 month

    3. 3

      Pitch

      Sales story.

      Senior Strategic Marketing Specialist 1 week

    4. 4

      Train reps

      Objection handling.

      Sales Account Executive 1 day

    5. 5

      Report

      Slow-day lift.

      Data Analyst, Marketing quarterly

    6. 6

      Promote

      Landing page.

      Demand Generation Manager 1 month

    First result
    1 quarter
    Cost
    Rewards budget
    Owner
    Senior Strategic Marketing Specialist

    Smallest test

    Pitch slow days in one territory.

    Why it works

    Make "fill your slow nights" a named pitch: show member dining by day of week from the data, let restaurants choose extra rewards on chosen days, and report slow-day lift in the business review.

    It answers the "I am already busy" objection and ties the fee to seats that would otherwise be empty.

    Risks and how to handle them

    • Members ignore day rules

      Test bonus levels first.

    Evidence

    • Your websitePricing explainer: "Rewards Network charges restaurants a percentage of the total qualifying transaction when a participating diner visits", with no rate or range, and asks owners to weigh "Is the percentage fee worth bringing in a diner who might not have visited otherwise?" It sits among 16 owner-question pages updated in July and August 2026 (e.g. "is-rewards-network-worth-it-restaurants", "can-restaurants-leave-rewards-network-programs").Source
    • HiringDirector, Partner & Consumer Marketing (posted September 15, 2026): designs consumer bonus-credit offers ("Spend $100 get $20", "Spend $500 get $125"), sets "strict guardrails for Customer Acquisition Cost (CAC) and Lifetime Value (LTV)", builds "predictive cohort segmentation", runs "systematic A/B testing", and programs "automated behavioral triggers that detect weakening engagement and inject custom win-back or rescue offers before a diner becomes in-active".Source
    • HiringData Analyst, Marketing (posted October 1, 2026): "Discover new customer insights and trends related to our restaurant customer base" and "Translate complex data into actionable customer insights" for "go-to-market materials, processes, and presentations for our distribution teams".Source
  • 16

    Google's mobile lab test shows the homepage content at 18.4 s with 1.8 MB of third-party code; Tag Manager alone is 726 KB. Real visitors still pass Core Web Vitals, but owners clicking an ad on a slow phone connection see the slow version.

    Medium impactMedium effort First result in 1 month Web team

    First action

    Export the Tag Manager container and list each tag's owner.

    How to measure it

    Mobile performance score

    Now
    –
    Target
    70
    By
    1 quarter

    Steps

    1. 1

      Export tags

      With owners.

      Web team 1 day

    2. 2

      Remove unused

      No owner, no tag.

      Demand Generation Manager 1 week

    3. 3

      Delay the rest

      After first paint.

      Web team 1 week

    4. 4

      Replace carousel

      Light block.

      Web team 1 week

    5. 5

      Re-test

      Key pages.

      Web team 1 day

    6. 6

      Monitor

      Monthly.

      Web team monthly

    First result
    1 month
    Cost
    Staff time only
    Owner
    Web team

    Smallest test

    Remove unused tags on one landing page and re-test.

    Why it works

    Audit Tag Manager: remove tags nobody uses, load ad and analytics tags after the page shows, and replace the 3D carousel plugin with a light testimonial block. Re-test the homepage and the main landing pages.

    Faster landing pages lower paid cost per lead and lift form completion on mobile.

    Risks and how to handle them

    • Losing tracking

      Check conversions before and after.

    Evidence

    • Google PageSpeedGoogle's mobile lab test scores the homepage 38/100, with the main content at 18.4 s, 2.9 MB downloaded over 143 requests and 1.8 MB of third-party code (Google Tag Manager alone 726 KB). Real visitors still pass Core Web Vitals (largest content 2.07 s, INP 128 ms at the 75th percentile).Source
    • HiringDemand Generation Manager (posted October 5, 2026, Chicago): builds "B2B acquisition programs that generate qualified restaurant leads" across "paid, email, SEO/content, event follow-up, and targeted outbound support"; owns nurture, lead scoring inputs and SDR handoffs; monitors "speed-to-lead effectiveness"; reports "MQL-to-opportunity-to-deal movement" in Salesforce, Marketing Cloud and Domo; and leads "follow-up strategy for trade shows and events".Source

Big bets 3

Larger plays that can change the trajectory.

  • 17

    Rewards Network sees dining across 21,000 restaurants and 25 million cardmembers, and already publishes yearly industry reports. Local news, trade press and owners want timely local numbers: which cities and cuisines are up or down.

    High impactMedium effort First result in 3 quarters Data Analyst

    First action

    Pick ten metros with enough data.

    How to measure it

    Media mentions

    Now
    –
    Target
    20 a quarter
    By
    1 year

    Steps

    1. 1

      Define index

      Metrics and metros.

      Data Analyst, Marketing 1 month

    2. 2

      Privacy review

      No restaurant identifiable.

      Legal 1 month

    3. 3

      Build pipeline

      Monthly.

      Data Engineering Lead 1 month

    4. 4

      Publish

      Page and charts.

      Web team monthly

    5. 5

      Pitch press

      Local and trade.

      Chief Marketing & Strategy Officer monthly

    6. 6

      Rep kit

      Local numbers.

      Senior Strategic Marketing Specialist monthly

    First result
    3 quarters
    Cost
    Analyst time
    Owner
    Data Analyst, Marketing

    Smallest test

    Publish one metro chart.

    Why it works

    Publish a monthly anonymised index by metro and cuisine (visits, average check trend, weekday mix), with a press summary and an embeddable chart. Reps use the local numbers in conversations.

    Timely local data earns press and links every month, and gives reps an opener in every territory.

    Risks and how to handle them

    • Sample bias

      Explain who the members are.

    Evidence

    • Your websiteCEO succession release: Stephen Fusco, president since 2018, became CEO on January 1, 2026; the company counts "over 21,000 local, independent restaurant customers and 25 million enrolled cardmembers", tripled active members and doubled restaurants under the previous CEO, and is "investing in several key areas including technology, operations, and sales".Source
    • Your websiteContent: 254 blog posts, the newest dated March 25, 2026; 42 "restaurant guides" pages (how to start a restaurant, social media, technology) last updated 2020-2022; state-of-the-industry reports for 2022, 2024 and 2025.Source
    • HiringData Analyst, Marketing (posted October 1, 2026): "Discover new customer insights and trends related to our restaurant customer base" and "Translate complex data into actionable customer insights" for "go-to-market materials, processes, and presentations for our distribution teams".Source
  • 18

    The B2C Product Manager owns member search and discovery, and every restaurant has a dedicated page it updates with events and specials. If members and travellers find those pages from search, restaurants get visits they can see.

    High impactHigh effort First result in 3 quarters B2C Product Manager

    First action

    Check which restaurant pages can be indexed today in each program.

    How to measure it

    Dines attributed to discovery pages

    Now
    –
    Target
    +10%
    By
    3 quarters

    Steps

    1. 1

      Audit pages

      Per program.

      B2C Product Manager 1 month

    2. 2

      Partner approval

      Brand rules.

      Director, Partner & Consumer Marketing 1 month

    3. 3

      Templates

      Rich restaurant pages.

      Creative Director 1 month

    4. 4

      City pages

      Earn near X.

      B2C Product Manager 1 quarter

    5. 5

      Report

      To restaurants.

      B2C Product Manager 1 quarter

    6. 6

      Measure

      Dines from search.

      Data Analyst, Marketing monthly

    First result
    3 quarters
    Cost
    Product and engineering time
    Owner
    B2C Product Manager

    Smallest test

    Pilot city pages in one program.

    Why it works

    Make restaurant pages in the white-label dining programs rich and indexable (menu highlights, specials, the rewards earned, reviews), with "earn miles at restaurants near X" city pages. Report page views and visits to the restaurant.

    More member visits raise results for restaurants and dining frequency for partners, and visible page traffic helps renewals.

    Risks and how to handle them

    • Partners own the domains

      Agree the SEO plan per partner.

    Evidence

    • HiringB2C Product Manager: owns the consumer experience "across our 25M+ member base" connecting members "with our 20,000+ partner restaurants" and "30+ partner programs", across web, apps and "email/SMS/push", including "search and discovery, and post-dining engagement", measured on "activation, retention, dining frequency, member LTV, NPS".Source
    • App StoreThe restaurant-side Rewards Network iOS app is rated 4.9 from 144 ratings; owners view analytics, "Respond to verified reviews", toggle between locations and update "events and specials for your restaurant's dedicated webpage".Source
    • HiringCreative Director (posted September 10, 2026): Rewards Network "powers nearly 20 white label, well established loyalty programs"; the role directs "sales enablement materials, product explanations / demonstrations / tutorials, customer testimonials". Senior Manager, New Business & Innovation (posted October 8, 2026) sources "new member-program opportunities", outbound rather than inbound.Source
  • 19

    The Senior Manager of New Business & Innovation is hired to source new member programs outbound. Rewards Network's partners are national airlines, hotels and retailers; regional banks and credit unions have loyal local cardholders and want local reasons to use their cards.

    High impactHigh effort First result in 4 quarters Senior Manager

    First action

    List the five metros with most restaurants and their largest credit unions.

    How to measure it

    Bank and credit union programs

    Now
    –
    Target
    3
    By
    4 quarters

    Steps

    1. 1

      Map metros

      Restaurants and banks.

      Senior Manager, New Business & Innovation 1 month

    2. 2

      Business case

      Economics.

      Senior Manager, New Business & Innovation 1 month

    3. 3

      Package

      White-label offer.

      Director, Partner & Consumer Marketing 1 quarter

    4. 4

      Outreach

      Ten institutions.

      Senior Manager, New Business & Innovation 1 quarter

    5. 5

      Pilot

      One program.

      Senior Manager, New Business & Innovation 2 quarters

    6. 6

      Measure

      Members and dines.

      Data Analyst, Marketing quarterly

    First result
    4 quarters
    Cost
    Partnership team time
    Owner
    Senior Manager, New Business & Innovation

    Smallest test

    Pitch two credit unions.

    Why it works

    Offer a turnkey local dining rewards program to regional banks and credit unions in the metros with the most Rewards Network restaurants, with a white-label app and shared marketing.

    Local cardholders dine locally, which fits independent restaurants, and each new program adds members in the territories reps already work.

    Risks and how to handle them

    • Small member bases

      Bundle several institutions in one region.

    Evidence

    • HiringCreative Director (posted September 10, 2026): Rewards Network "powers nearly 20 white label, well established loyalty programs"; the role directs "sales enablement materials, product explanations / demonstrations / tutorials, customer testimonials". Senior Manager, New Business & Innovation (posted October 8, 2026) sources "new member-program opportunities", outbound rather than inbound.Source
    • Your websitePartners page: members "come from 40+ rewards programs"; "Welcome our newest program partner: Wyndham Rewards". Landing pages exist for Wyndham, Choice Privileges and T-Mobile Dining, but the newsroom's latest partner press release is Fetch (May 2025). Job posts name United, Delta, Bilt, Fetch and Rakuten as partners.Source
    • HiringB2C Product Manager: owns the consumer experience "across our 25M+ member base" connecting members "with our 20,000+ partner restaurants" and "30+ partner programs", across web, apps and "email/SMS/push", including "search and discovery, and post-dining engagement", measured on "activation, retention, dining frequency, member LTV, NPS".Source

Wildcards 3

Unexpected experiments, each with a cheap way to test it.

  • 20

    The Creative Director is hired to direct testimonials and sales enablement, and the YouTube channel has 74 videos and 443 subscribers. The 57 infographics already contain the numbers and the restaurants.

    Medium impactLow effort First result in 1 quarter Creative Director

    First action

    Pick ten stories with willing owners.

    How to measure it

    Rep-sent video views

    Now
    –
    Target
    5,000 a month
    By
    2 quarters

    Steps

    1. 1

      Pick stories

      Ten owners.

      Creative Director 2 weeks

    2. 2

      Film

      On site.

      Creative Director 1 month

    3. 3

      Edit

      60 seconds with numbers.

      Creative Director 2 weeks

    4. 4

      Publish

      Shorts and Reels.

      Demand Generation Manager weekly

    5. 5

      Rep library

      By city.

      Senior Strategic Marketing Specialist 1 week

    6. 6

      Measure

      Views and assisted deals.

      Data Analyst, Marketing monthly

    First result
    1 quarter
    Cost
    Production budget
    Owner
    Creative Director

    Smallest test

    Film three clips in one city.

    Why it works

    Film 60-second owner clips for the strongest stories, one per city, posted as shorts and sent by reps after visits. Subtitle them and add the numbers on screen.

    Owners trust other owners on camera, and short clips travel in feeds where restaurant owners spend time.

    Risks and how to handle them

    • Owners camera-shy

      Film the restaurant with voice-over.

    Evidence

    • HiringCreative Director (posted September 10, 2026): Rewards Network "powers nearly 20 white label, well established loyalty programs"; the role directs "sales enablement materials, product explanations / demonstrations / tutorials, customer testimonials". Senior Manager, New Business & Innovation (posted October 8, 2026) sources "new member-program opportunities", outbound rather than inbound.Source
    • Your websiteSuccess stories: the sitemap lists 57 restaurant "infographic" pages. Each shows headline numbers on the page (for example Kasa Indian Eatery in San Francisco: 4,022 member dines and $106,115 in member spend from August 2024 to August 2026; Tacos & Beer in Las Vegas: 5,171 member dines and $337,592) but puts the infographic behind a form asking for name, restaurant, phone, phone type, email and zip code, and none of these pages has a meta description. The "Restaurant success stories" page shows six video stories, four quotes (one: the program lets a cafe "serve locals as well as traveling guests from all over") and three of the 57 infographics.Source
    • Your websiteChannels: a YouTube channel with 443 subscribers, 74 videos and about 107,000 views; restaurant testimonial landing pages (e.g. Wild Wasabi, Tu Asador, PLNT Burger); an enterprise solutions page; a 2024 National Restaurant Association show landing page; and a 2025 partnership with Craveworthy Brands.Source
  • 21

    Rewards Network's members earn with airlines and hotels (United, Delta, Wyndham, Choice), and one testimonial says the program serves "traveling guests from all over". Restaurants near hotels, airports and convention centres depend on visitors.

    Medium impactLow effort First result in 1 quarter Sales Account Executive

    First action

    Map prospects within walking distance of large hotels in two territories.

    How to measure it

    Meeting rate in hotel districts

    Now
    –
    Target
    +20%
    By
    2 quarters

    Steps

    1. 1

      Map prospects

      Near hotels.

      Data Analyst, Marketing 2 weeks

    2. 2

      Out-of-town data

      Member origin.

      Data Analyst, Marketing 2 weeks

    3. 3

      Pitch

      Traveller story.

      Senior Strategic Marketing Specialist 1 week

    4. 4

      Stories

      Tourist areas.

      Senior Strategic Marketing Specialist 1 week

    5. 5

      Pilot

      Two territories.

      Sales Account Executive 1 month

    6. 6

      Measure

      Meetings and deals.

      Demand Generation Manager monthly

    First result
    1 quarter
    Cost
    Staff time only
    Owner
    Sales Account Executive

    Smallest test

    Pilot in Las Vegas.

    Why it works

    Give reps a list of prospects near hotels and convention centres, a pitch built on travelling members, and stories from tourist areas such as Las Vegas. Show where member dines come from out of town.

    The traveller argument is unique to an airline and hotel network, and it is strongest exactly where reps already knock.

    Risks and how to handle them

    • Small local base

      Pair with local member numbers.

    Evidence

    • Your websitePartners page: members "come from 40+ rewards programs"; "Welcome our newest program partner: Wyndham Rewards". Landing pages exist for Wyndham, Choice Privileges and T-Mobile Dining, but the newsroom's latest partner press release is Fetch (May 2025). Job posts name United, Delta, Bilt, Fetch and Rakuten as partners.Source
    • Your websiteSuccess stories: the sitemap lists 57 restaurant "infographic" pages. Each shows headline numbers on the page (for example Kasa Indian Eatery in San Francisco: 4,022 member dines and $106,115 in member spend from August 2024 to August 2026; Tacos & Beer in Las Vegas: 5,171 member dines and $337,592) but puts the infographic behind a form asking for name, restaurant, phone, phone type, email and zip code, and none of these pages has a meta description. The "Restaurant success stories" page shows six video stories, four quotes (one: the program lets a cafe "serve locals as well as traveling guests from all over") and three of the 57 infographics.Source
    • HiringField sales: 30+ open Sales Account Executive roles across the US (for example Dallas, Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, Salt Lake City, Miami, Brooklyn), prospecting "through cold calling, door-to-door sales (25+ daily)". A Strategic Account Manager (South Texas, posted October 12, 2026) visits "at least 12 restaurants/clubs/bars per week for business review meetings", drives renewals and upsell, and qualifies clients "for merchant cash advance products"; a Client Success Manager works to minimise churn and "upsell products (i.e. Cash)".Source
  • 22

    Restaurant owners know other owners and trust them. Rewards Network's happiest customers appear in testimonials, but the site has no referral offer for restaurants.

    Medium impactLow effort First result in 1 quarter Client Success Manager

    First action

    Set the reward and terms.

    How to measure it

    Referral sign-ups

    Now
    –
    Target
    50 a quarter
    By
    2 quarters

    Steps

    1. 1

      Set reward

      Fee credit.

      Chief Marketing & Strategy Officer 1 week

    2. 2

      Terms

      Legal.

      Legal 1 week

    3. 3

      App prompt

      After good months.

      B2C Product Manager 1 month

    4. 4

      Rep script

      At reviews.

      Strategic Account Manager 1 week

    5. 5

      Track

      In Salesforce.

      Revenue Operations 1 week

    6. 6

      Measure

      Referrals.

      Client Success Manager monthly

    First result
    1 quarter
    Cost
    Referral credits
    Owner
    Client Success Manager

    Smallest test

    Ask 100 top restaurants for one referral.

    Why it works

    Offer a reward (for example a fee credit) for each referred restaurant that joins, promote it in the app and the quarterly report, and give reps the referral when a customer is pleased at a review.

    Referred owners sign faster and stay longer, and the cost is paid only on success.

    Risks and how to handle them

    • Low-fit referrals

      Pay only when the referral goes live.

    Evidence

    • App StoreThe restaurant-side Rewards Network iOS app is rated 4.9 from 144 ratings; owners view analytics, "Respond to verified reviews", toggle between locations and update "events and specials for your restaurant's dedicated webpage".Source
    • Your websiteHomepage: "We send full-price customers to your restaurant"; "25 million+ dining members" and "20,000 restaurants"; members "Spend as much as 24% more", have "annual credit card spend that's 2.5x more", and "return to restaurants 20% more when a representative responds to them" to reviews; pay for performance, "100% turnkey marketing", flexible funding and "$3.6 billion in total cash funded to restaurants". The contact form asks for average monthly card processing volume and current processor.Source
    • HiringField sales: 30+ open Sales Account Executive roles across the US (for example Dallas, Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, Salt Lake City, Miami, Brooklyn), prospecting "through cold calling, door-to-door sales (25+ daily)". A Strategic Account Manager (South Texas, posted October 12, 2026) visits "at least 12 restaurants/clubs/bars per week for business review meetings", drives renewals and upsell, and qualifies clients "for merchant cash advance products"; a Client Success Manager works to minimise churn and "upsell products (i.e. Cash)".Source

03

How Programmable can help

Where an idea in this playbook is something Programmable builds or runs, it's listed here with what we'd do. Everything else is yours to run.

ProgrammableTalk

Fill the events in this plan

These ideas are events. Talk gets registrants for them and tells you who's coming and what their company does before the day.

Plan an event (opens programmable.talk in a new tab)
ProgrammableDigital

Show it, don't just describe it

These ideas need something to show: a demo, a video, an animation, graphics or a deck. Digital turns screenshots or the site into all of them, in the company's own brand.

Make a demo (opens programmable.digital in a new tab)
More example playbooks and reviews

More growth playbooks

Other companies we have researched, each read from what they are hiring for.

  • Andela growth strategyA global talent marketplace repositioned as "the human layer powering production AI": AI-native engineers for client teams, managed AI…20 growth ideas
  • Pleo growth strategySpend management for European businesses: company cards, expense management, reimbursements, accounts payable, multi-currency and…20 growth ideas
  • Sprig growth strategyAn enterprise survey and experience research platform run by AI agents that design studies, field them by email, panels, web and mobile…22 growth ideas
  • Definium Therapeutics growth strategyA late-stage clinical biopharmaceutical company (formerly MindMed, Nasdaq: DFTX) developing DT120 ODT, a proprietary orally disintegrating…22 growth ideas
  • Movers+Shakers growth strategyA social-first creative agency (part of Stagwell): social strategy, campaigns, influencer and creator programs, always-on content and…22 growth ideas
  • Lendable (Zable) growth strategyA London consumer lender rebuilding loans, credit cards and car finance with its own technology, now rebranding its products as Zable…21 growth ideas
  • Zalos growth strategyComputer agents for finance operations: AI workers that log into ERPs, banks, portals and desktop finance tools the way a person does, run…22 growth ideas
  • Lightspeed Systems growth strategyCloud software for K-12 schools: web filtering, student safety monitoring, classroom management, digital hall passes, device management…21 growth ideas

See every playbook and website review

Independent research. Programmable wrote this playbook from public sources, as they stood on October 26, 2026, and cites them throughout. Rewards Network did not commission, review or endorse it, and Programmable is not affiliated with Rewards Network. Company and product names are trademarks of their owners, used only to identify them. The ideas are suggestions and opinion, not professional, legal or financial advice, and not statements about how Rewards Network runs its business.

Something wrong, or do you represent Rewards Network? Email [email protected] and we will correct it or take it down.

30/60/90 roadmap

What to focus on in each month, and the ideas that carry it.

  1. Days 1 to 306 ideas

    Open success stories, fee calculator, QR leave-behinds, five-minute lead response, the "Beta Site" fix and partner announcements.

  2. Days 31 to 6013 ideas

    Proof-of-value reports, funding-readiness lists, win-back offers, review responses, content refresh, comparison pages, show follow-up, multi-location proof, slow-day pitch and speed; plus videos, the traveller pitch and referrals.

  3. Days 61 to 903 ideas

    Commit to the big bets: a local dining index, discoverable restaurant pages and bank and credit union programs.

The research behind the plan

3 research areas, each summarised in a few lines. Open any of them for the full detail.

Customers

What customers say

Customers value paying only when diners come. The most cited problem: discount programs that hurt margins.

  • Fast funding without a loan
  • Cash flow and equipment costs
  • In their words: “full-price guests”

Market

Competitive landscape

3 competitors compared: inKind, Upside and Discount and delivery-app promotions.

  • Gap to exploit: Open, local proof for independents
  • inKind: Smaller network of mostly upscale restaurants
  • Upside: Focus on chains, grocery and fuel

Hiring signals

Rewards Network's new CEO is investing in sales and marketing: a Demand Generation Manager for paid, SEO, nurture, events and speed-to-lead (ideas 1, 2, 4, 11, 13), strategic restaurant marketing for proof-of-value…

  • Demand Generation Manager: Qualified restaurant leads, SEO, speed-to-lead. Ideas 1, 2, 4.
  • Senior Strategic Marketing Specialist: Proof-of-value tools and business reviews. Idea 7.
  • Director, Strategic Restaurant Marketing: National enterprises, competitor language. Ideas 12, 14.

From the team that wrote this playbook

All products
  • ProgrammableAgencyWorking AI systems in days, not quarters (opens programmable.agency in a new tab)
  • ProgrammableInfoAn agent that finds, researches and asks first (opens programmable.info in a new tab)
  • ProgrammableDigitalScreenshots in, an animated product demo out (opens programmable.digital in a new tab)
  • ProgrammableWatchKnow the day a supplier falls out of compliance (opens programmable.watch in a new tab)
  • ProgrammableTalkGet registrants for your events, and know who’s coming (opens programmable.talk in a new tab)
  • ProgrammablePageText what you need, your customer gets a page that works (opens programmable.page in a new tab)
  • ProgrammableCommunityForums with labelled AI members, never empty (opens programmable.community in a new tab)
ProgrammableMarketing
ExamplesLeaderboardsProductsTermsPrivacyCookiesDPALegalContact

© 2026 AI-Powered Growth Intelligence