Technology

Gamification helps improve Smoothie King's loyalty program

Source: Shutterstock

June 12, 2026

Summarize withChatGPTGrokPerplexityClaude

Smoothie King is seeing early gains from adding game-like features to its Healthy Rewards loyalty program.

The Coppell, Texas-based chain and technology provider PAR Technology Corp. recently shared preliminary results from the implementation of PAR Games, a gamification platform designed to encourage repeat visits, higher spending and personalized customer experiences.

Smoothie King's program generated over 2 million game plays, increased loyalty program sign-ups by more than 40% and engaged a large number of unique customers. The initiative also helped reactivate lapsed guests, according to a PAR press release.

PAR Games, part of the New Hartford, New York-headquartered company's PAR Punchh loyalty platform, incorporates experiences such as "spin to win" and "scratch to match" that reward customers for brand interactions. The platform uses real-time guest data and behavior-based logic to help restaurants increase visit frequency, spending and customer retention.

The results reflect a broader trend in restaurant loyalty programs. According to Oracle, gamification relies on game-like experiences in non-game environments to encourage specific customer behaviors and deliver more personalized experiences. Gamified loyalty programs are often based on challenges, rewards and interactive features to boost customer engagement.

Industry observers say the concept is gaining traction across the restaurant sector. The Food Institute reported that more industry brands are incorporating game-like elements into loyalty programs to drive participation and repeat visits.

While many of these experiences are delivered digitally through apps, the concept has existed for decades in restaurant marketing, with promotions such as McDonald's Monopoly game serving as an early example.

Smoothie King operates more than 1,300 locations nationwide.