Report: Loyalty Is QSR's Primary Growth Engine

Par Technology, a technology provider powering multi-unit operators across restaurant, retail, and large-scale commerce, released its "2026 QSR Operational Index Report," offering a data-driven look at how many of its customer QSR brands are navigating shifting consumer behavior, rising cost pressures, and the growing importance of loyalty-led engagement.

Based on aggregated, anonymized data from more than 30,000 QSR restaurants representing 149 million unique loyalty guests and $26 billion in loyalty sales in 2025, the report provides a road map for closing the performance gap between the top and bottom-performing locations of the largest QSR brands.

1. Loyalty is now the primary growth engine.

• Loyalty transactions grew 28.5% year-over-year while anonymous transactions fell 6.7%. For the first time in years, loyalty members outspend anonymous guests, averaging $15.08 per visit versus $14.82.
• "Super users," defined as guests with more than 10 visits per year, drive 61% of check-ins and 53% of sales.
• First reward redemption increases visit frequency by up to 38% within 90 days.

2. Digital channels are reshaping the transaction mix.

• Drive-thru holds 51.7% of total sales while kiosks grew 35% year-over-year and third-party delivery commands the highest average check at $22.73, 61% above the all-channel average.
• Mobile first-party ordering dipped 2.9% in transactions, signaling an opportunity for brands to drive more loyalty-linked digital volume through owned channels.

3. Dinner and late night are the most valuable revenue windows for brands.

• Dinner generates $1 million in net sales per store annually, more than breakfast and lunch combined. Late night adds another $336,000 per store.
• Delivery drives a significant check premium across every daypart as guests pay more for the convenience: breakfast at +78%, lunch at +61%, dinner at +49%, and late night at +39%.
• Both dayparts are increasingly delivery-driven with dinner delivery checks averaging $24.76 and late-night checks at $16.43.

"The most successful QSR brands are the ones that connect operational performance with guest engagement," said Savneet Singh, CEO of Par Technology. "Our data shows that when loyalty, operational efficiency, and channel strategy are aligned, brands are better equipped to drive revenue while managing rising cost pressures."

Read the full report here.