About Rewards Network

Rewards Network is a fintech company founded in 1984 and headquartered in Chicago, with a long-standing focus on helping restaurants grow through marketing support, loyalty rewards programs, and access to capital. From its early years, the company has worked to create practical solutions that connect restaurants with diners who are willing to pay full price while earning rewards through programs they already use. By focusing on measurable outcomes and consistent customer engagement, Rewards Network has built a stable model that helps restaurant operators manage both growth and day-to-day operations with greater confidence.

With nearly 750 employees, Rewards Network continues to serve a large and diverse network across the United States. The company connects more than 20,000 partner restaurants with approximately 25 million dining members through over 30 loyalty programs. This reach allows restaurants to engage with a wide audience without relying solely on traditional advertising channels. Its guiding principle, that the success of local restaurants contributes to stronger communities, remains central to its operations. In January 2026, the company was recognized by Built In as one of the “Best Places to Work” and a “Best Midsize Place to Work” in Chicago.

Partnerships Across Loyalty Platforms

A key part of Rewards Network’s approach is its collaboration with established loyalty programs across travel, financial services, and consumer platforms. These partnerships enable restaurants to connect with diners who are already participating in reward-based systems, making it easier to influence dining choices without requiring additional effort from customers. By integrating restaurants into these existing networks, Rewards Network helps them become part of everyday spending habits rather than competing for attention through separate marketing efforts.

The company works with a range of recognized brands, including Wyndham Hotels & Resorts, Hilton Honors, IHG, Marriott Bonvoy, and several airline programs such as American Airlines AAdvantage, Delta SkyMiles, Southwest Rapid Rewards, JetBlue TrueBlue, and United Airlines MileagePlus. It also partners with platforms like Rakuten, Shell Fuel Rewards, and T-Mobile. These relationships expand Rewards Network's reach and provide restaurants with a structured way to connect with engaged, active diners.

How the Program Supports Restaurants

The system developed by Rewards Network is designed to be simple and accessible for participating restaurants. Restaurants promote their dining programs to dining members who live in or travel to their area, helping them attract customers who are already interested in earning rewards. One important feature of the program is that restaurants are not required to pay fixed monthly fees, allowing them to participate without taking on additional financial commitments upfront.

Dining members visit participating locations, pay the full price for their meals, and receive rewards automatically through their linked loyalty programs. This structure avoids the need for discounts or coupons, encouraging genuine customer visits and consistent spending behavior. Members are motivated by the opportunity to earn rewards through their regular activities, and their visits often result in higher spending. This supports restaurant revenue and increases staff earnings through tips.

Dining Member Profile and Behavior

The dining members connected through Rewards Network are typically frequent travelers with the financial flexibility to spend on dining experiences. Many are already engaged in loyalty programs for airlines, hotels, and other services, making them a valuable audience for restaurants. Reaching this group through traditional marketing methods can be challenging, which is why the structured access provided by Rewards Network is particularly effective.

By aligning restaurants with the habits of these diners, Rewards Network helps influence decision-making naturally and directly. Restaurants are placed within platforms that members already use, reducing the need for additional outreach. This positioning supports repeat visits and helps build stronger customer relationships over time, contributing to more stable business performance.

Pay-for-Performance Structure

Rewards Network operates on a Pay-for-Performance model that connects marketing costs directly to actual customer activity. Restaurants only incur costs when verified dining members visit and spend money at their establishment. This approach differs from traditional advertising methods that often require payment based on impressions or clicks without a guaranteed connection to revenue.

This model provides clarity and reduces uncertainty for restaurant operators. Each marketing expense is tied to a confirmed transaction, enabling businesses to understand the value of their investment better. By focusing on measurable outcomes, Rewards Network supports a more accountable and efficient approach to marketing, helping restaurants manage their budgets with greater confidence.

Verified Reviews and Ongoing Engagement

Customer feedback plays an important role within the Rewards Network system. Each participating restaurant has a dedicated profile where verified dining members can leave reviews after completing a purchase. Since only confirmed transactions allow for feedback, the reviews reflect real dining experiences and provide a reliable source of information for both restaurants and other members.

These reviews help increase visibility and provide insights into customer satisfaction. When restaurants respond to feedback, it encourages continued interaction and strengthens relationships with diners. Members who receive responses are more likely to return, creating an ongoing cycle of engagement that supports repeat business and continuous improvement.

Data Insights and Reporting Capabilities

Rewards Network provides restaurants with access to detailed data and reporting tools through its dashboard. This includes insights into customer behavior such as check size, party composition, visit frequency, and geographic origin. These details help restaurant operators better understand their customers and identify patterns that inform their decisions.

Restaurants can use this information to refine their marketing strategies, evaluate repeat customer activity, and measure the effectiveness of their operations. The ability to compare performance with other restaurants within the network, both locally and nationally, adds further context. By turning data into actionable insights, Rewards Network helps restaurants make informed decisions that drive steady growth.

Flexible Funding Aligned with Business Needs

In addition to marketing and loyalty services, Rewards Network offers a funding option that provides restaurants with access to upfront capital. This funding is tied to future customer spending, meaning repayment occurs as diners visit and make purchases. This structure aligns financial obligations with actual business activity, helping restaurants manage cash flow more effectively without relying on traditional loan models.

By linking funding to its marketing system, Rewards Network creates a balanced approach in which financial support and customer acquisition work together. Restaurants can use the capital to maintain operations, invest in improvements, or manage seasonal fluctuations while continuing to attract diners through the network. This approach reduces financial pressure and allows operators to focus on delivering consistent service and maintaining long-term stability.