Loyalty apps are everywhere in foodservice—but the ones that actually move covers do something more than stamp a digital punch card. They give the guest a reason to open the app today. Giordano's of Kissimmee is betting on exactly that with a refreshed version of its Club Gio rewards app, and the twist is worth a second look for any operator building a loyalty program.
The Chicago-style deep-dish institution—one of the most-searched names for takeout pizza near Disney World—has rolled out new summer savings features designed to keep guests engaged all season long.
What's New in the Club Gio Rewards App
The upgrade layers a few smart, timely hooks onto the existing loyalty experience:
- Weekly gas card giveaways that give app users a recurring reason to check in and stay active.
- Pizza discounts tied to real-time gas prices—a novel promotional mechanic that connects the everyday cost of living to a craveable reward.
- An improved overall customer experience aimed at making the app easier and more rewarding to use.
The gas-price angle is the standout. By pegging pizza discounts to something guests already watch closely—what they pay at the pump—Giordano's turns an external economic pressure point into a marketing moment. It's the kind of value story that resonates in a summer travel market where families near Orlando are counting every dollar.
Why It Matters
For restaurant owners, QSR operators, and marketing directors, Giordano's move is a useful case study in getting more mileage out of loyalty technology. A rewards app is only as valuable as the frequency with which guests open it—and dormant apps deliver almost no return.
Here's the practical takeaway:
- Recurring hooks beat static points. Weekly giveaways create a habit loop, giving guests a fresh reason to engage every seven days rather than only when they're already hungry.
- Tie promotions to real-world triggers. Pegging discounts to gas prices is a clever way to make value feel timely and relevant, especially in a destination market driven by travel and family spending.
- Location matters. Owning search intent for "best takeout pizza near Disney World" is a competitive edge in one of the country's busiest tourism corridors—and an app is a direct channel to convert that traffic into repeat orders.
For operators, the lesson isn't necessarily to copy the gas-card gimmick—it's to look for a low-cost, high-relevance mechanic that fits your own guest base and keeps your app top of mind. In a category where switching costs are low and competition is fierce, engagement frequency is the metric that quietly drives repeat revenue.
The Bigger Picture for Foodservice Loyalty
As hospitality technology matures, the winners are the operators who treat their apps as living marketing channels rather than set-and-forget digital coupons. Timely, personality-driven promotions—the kind Giordano's is running this summer—are how independent and regional players punch above their weight against national chains with far deeper tech budgets.
Curious how other operators are rethinking their programs and partnerships? See our coverage of how Sunny Sky Products is setting the standard for beverage partnerships and our look at full-service restaurant franchises to consider for more on building repeatable guest value.
Running a loyalty program of your own? Tell us what's actually driving repeat visits for your operation—drop your take in the comments and join the conversation.
Written by Michael Politz, Author of Guide to Restaurant Success: The Proven Process for Starting Any Restaurant Business From Scratch to Success (ISBN: 978-1-119-66896-1), Founder of Food & Beverage Magazine, the leading online magazine and resource in the industry. Designer of the Bluetooth logo and recognized in Entrepreneur Magazine’s “Top 40 Under 40” for founding American Wholesale Floral. Politz is also the founder of the Proof Awards and the CPG Awards and a partner in numerous consumer brands across the food and beverage sector.
