LivingSocial, the local marketplace to find and share city experiences and more, launched Restaurants Plus, a new pilot program empowering consumers to eat at restaurants and save money automatically.
“Our passion at LivingSocial is to deliver great customer experiences that provide consumers with real value,” says Nick Macey, SVP and head of product at LivingSocial. “When I joined in July, the team was hard at work on this project, and we are excited to announce what we expect to be the first of many new products delivering on that passion.”
With Restaurants Plus, consumers are introduced to great places to eat, and earn up to 30 percent cash back once they pay for a meal with their registered card. Consumers in Atlanta can sign up on LivingSocial’s website, where Restaurants Plus is free and easy to use.
Macey continues, “Our customers are savvy diners who are loyal patrons to their favorite spots and at the same time always looking to try the latest thing. However, we also know that they want an easier way to explore different dining experiences other than presenting a voucher, coupon or gift card. And Restaurants Plus offers that solution because it’s seamless—sign up once, swipe and save without any hassle.”
Consumers who sign up can enjoy breakfast, lunch, dinner, or a sweet afternoon treat at any of the participating restaurants. Restaurants in the program range in variety, from cafes and ice cream shops to breweries and full-service restaurants and include different cuisines such as American, Chinese, Italian, Japanese, Mediterranean, Mexican, Thai, and Vietnamese. Notable restaurants in Atlanta include Campagnolo, Corner Pizza, Gekko Sushi and Lounge, Gordon Biersch (Buckhead), Henry’s Midtown Tavern, Meehan’s Public House, and Murphy’s Atlanta Restaurant.
Consumers can sign up on LivingSocial’s mobile web or desktop application, and register a qualified credit or debit card. Then, participants can find and dine at any eatery listed in the Restaurants Plus directory, which displays the savings and times that restaurants are offering cashback. Consumers will receive cashback on a registered card once the savings reaches a minimum amount or the money earned will roll over into the next month.
“Our initial consumer tests were very successful. The feedback we received was overwhelmingly positive about the ease of use, variety of restaurants, and delight people feel when being notified of their savings,” Macey says. “Now that we have Atlanta underway, we are looking forward to rolling Restaurants Plus out to more consumers, more merchants and across more U.S. markets. Look for us in [Washington] D.C. very soon.”
Additionally, Restaurants Plus is an empowering tool for LivingSocial restaurants participating in the program. The restaurant partners have more control, as they choose when and how much to reward customers, especially during periods when business is slower. The new program also is an easier way for restaurant owners and operators to manage their promotional efforts, as it requires no extra work or training for staff.
