Toast Loyalty Program: Full Review (2026)
Toast Loyalty Program costs $185/mo bundled with POS. How it works, what you get, and which alternatives work for non-Toast restaurants.
Key Takeaway: Toast Loyalty is a capable points-based programme that integrates directly with Toast POS. The catch: it costs $185/mo as part of a bundle, only works with Toast hardware, and is limited to restaurants. If you want a loyalty programme that works with any POS, any business type, and lives in your customers' phone wallets, there are better options.
FaveCard Team
Published March 12, 2026
Toast Loyalty Program: Full Review (2026)
Toast Loyalty is a points-based rewards programme built into the Toast POS system for restaurants. It lets customers earn points per visit or per dollar spent, then redeem them for discounts or free items.
Quick verdict: If you already use Toast POS and want loyalty built into your existing system, it works. But at $185/mo (bundled with gift cards and email marketing), it’s one of the pricier options — and it only works if your entire operation runs on Toast.
Last updated: March 2026
How Toast Loyalty Works
Toast Loyalty runs through your Toast POS terminals. Here is the basic flow:
- Customer enrols at checkout — they enter a phone number or email on the Toast terminal or a Toast Go handheld
- Points accumulate automatically — you choose between spend-based (e.g. 10 points per $1) or visit-based (e.g. 1 point per visit)
- Customer redeems rewards — when they hit the threshold you set, they can apply a discount or claim a free item
You manage everything from the Toast dashboard under Marketing → Loyalty → Settings. The programme supports welcome bonuses for new sign-ups, birthday rewards, and custom redemption rules.
What You Can Customise
- Earning structure: Points per dollar spent or points per visit
- Reward thresholds: Set how many points equal a reward
- Bonus points: Welcome bonuses, birthday rewards, double-point days
- Communication: Automated emails and SMS through Toast’s Marketing Suite
Toast Loyalty Pricing
Toast does not sell loyalty as a standalone product. It is part of the Marketing Essentials bundle:
| What’s included | Monthly cost |
|---|---|
| Loyalty programme | Bundled |
| Gift cards | Bundled |
| Email marketing | Bundled |
| SMS integration | Bundled |
| Total | $185/mo |
This $185 is on top of your base Toast POS subscription, which starts at $0/mo for the Starter plan but typically runs $69-$165/mo for most restaurants once you add online ordering, kitchen display screens, and payment processing fees.
Total realistic cost with loyalty: $250-$350/mo or more, depending on your setup.
For comparison, according to McKinsey research, top-performing loyalty programmes boost revenue from participating customers by 15-25% annually. The question is whether that return justifies $185/mo for your restaurant.
What Toast Loyalty Does Well
Credit where it is due — Toast Loyalty has genuine strengths:
Seamless POS integration. Because loyalty is built into the same system you use for orders and payments, there is no switching between apps. Points are tracked automatically with every transaction.
Flexible earning structures. Letting restaurants choose between spend-based and visit-based points is smart. A fine-dining restaurant benefits from spend-based rewards, while a quick-service cafe benefits from visit-based.
Automated marketing. The integration with Toast’s email and SMS tools means you can send targeted offers to loyalty members without a separate platform.
Receipt reminders. Points balances print automatically on receipts, which keeps the programme visible to customers.
Where Toast Loyalty Falls Short
No programme is perfect. Here is where Toast Loyalty creates friction:
1. POS Lock-In
Toast Loyalty only works with Toast POS. If you switch to a different point-of-sale system — or if you run a business that does not use Toast — your loyalty data does not come with you.
This matters more than most restaurant owners realise. According to Bond Brand Loyalty research, 85% of consumers say loyalty programmes make them more likely to keep buying from a brand. Losing that programme history when you change systems means losing the habit you built.
2. No Wallet Integration
Toast Loyalty does not add a card to Apple Wallet or Google Wallet. Customers get an account number tied to their phone number or email, but nothing sits on their phone between visits.
Compare this to digital loyalty cards that live in the wallet app your customers already use. A card in Apple Wallet is visible every time someone opens their phone. A phone number in Toast’s database is not.
3. Restaurant-Only
Toast POS is built for restaurants. If you run a hair salon, barbershop, coffee shop without food service, nail studio, or any non-restaurant business, Toast is not an option.
This is fine if you are a restaurant. But if you are a cafe that also sells retail products, or a food truck considering a brick-and-mortar location with a different POS, you need something more flexible.
4. Cost Adds Up
At $185/mo for the Marketing Essentials bundle, Toast Loyalty is one of the most expensive options for independent restaurants. For context:
| Platform | Monthly loyalty cost | POS required? |
|---|---|---|
| Toast Loyalty | $185/mo (bundled) | Toast only |
| Square Loyalty | $49/mo per location | Square only |
| FaveCard | Starts at $0 | Any POS |
| Loopy Loyalty | From $25/mo | Any POS |
A small cafe doing $15,000/mo in revenue is spending over 1% of gross revenue just on the loyalty add-on. That is before the base POS costs.
Best Alternatives to Toast Loyalty
If you want a loyalty programme without the Toast lock-in or the $185/mo price tag, here are three solid options:
FaveCard
Works with any POS system. Customers scan a QR code and add a digital stamp card to Apple or Google Wallet — no app download needed. You set the reward (e.g. buy 8 coffees, get 1 free), and stamps are tracked automatically. Try it free to see if it fits your business.
Best for: Any local business (cafes, restaurants, salons, barbers) that wants a simple, wallet-based loyalty card without POS lock-in.
Square Loyalty
If you already use Square POS, their loyalty add-on at $49/mo integrates the same way Toast does — directly into the payment flow. Points-based, with customer enrolment at checkout.
Best for: Square POS users who want integrated loyalty at a lower price point than Toast.
Loopy Loyalty
A standalone digital stamp card platform starting at $25/mo. Creates Apple and Google Wallet passes. Works independently of any POS system.
Best for: Businesses that want wallet-based loyalty and do not mind a separate system from their POS.
Toast Loyalty vs FaveCard: Quick Comparison
| Feature | Toast Loyalty | FaveCard |
|---|---|---|
| Monthly cost | $185/mo (bundled) | Starts at $0 |
| Works with any POS | No (Toast only) | Yes |
| Apple/Google Wallet card | No | Yes |
| Customer app download | No | No |
| Points system | Points per spend or visit | Stamps (buy X, get Y free) |
| Industries supported | Restaurants only | Any local business |
| Customer enrolment | Phone/email at terminal | QR code scan |
| Messages to customers | Email/SMS (bundled) | Through wallet card (Pro) |
The right choice depends on your situation. If your restaurant already runs on Toast and you want everything in one system, Toast Loyalty is convenient. If you want something that works regardless of your POS, costs less, and puts a card directly in your customers’ wallets, a POS-agnostic loyalty programme is the better path.
Is Toast Loyalty Worth It?
For a restaurant already committed to the Toast ecosystem, the loyalty programme is a natural add-on. The POS integration is genuinely seamless, and having loyalty, gift cards, and email marketing in one bundle simplifies operations.
But $185/mo is a significant commitment for a small restaurant. According to Accenture research, loyalty programme members generate 12-18% more annual revenue than non-members. Run the numbers for your specific business — if 12-18% more revenue from your regulars exceeds $185/mo, it pays for itself. If not, a simpler and cheaper alternative might deliver the same result.
The bigger question is lock-in. A loyalty programme is a long-term commitment to your customers. Tying it to a single POS vendor means if you ever switch systems, you lose that relationship data. A POS-agnostic loyalty card travels with your business regardless of what happens with your point-of-sale.
Ready to try a loyalty programme that works with any POS? Create a free card with FaveCard — set up in 5 minutes, no commitment needed.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does Toast Loyalty cost?
Toast Loyalty is part of the Marketing Essentials bundle at $185 per month. You cannot buy the loyalty feature separately — the bundle also includes gift cards, email marketing, and SMS. This is on top of your Toast POS subscription.
Can I use Toast Loyalty without Toast POS?
No. Toast Loyalty only works with the Toast POS system. If you use Square, Clover, a generic till, or no POS at all, Toast Loyalty is not an option.
How do customers sign up for Toast Loyalty?
Customers enrol by entering their phone number or email at checkout, either on a Toast terminal or Toast Go handheld device. They receive a digital account but do not get a card for Apple or Google Wallet.
Is Toast Loyalty good for small restaurants?
It depends on your budget. If you already pay for Toast POS and want everything in one system, it works well. But $185/mo for loyalty alone is steep for a small cafe or food truck. POS-agnostic alternatives start at $0.
What are the best alternatives to Toast Loyalty?
FaveCard, Loopy Loyalty, and Square Loyalty are popular alternatives. FaveCard works with any POS, uses Apple and Google Wallet (no app download), and you can try it free with no commitment. Square Loyalty works if you use Square POS.
