Tag Archives: rewards programs

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Restaurants Feeling the Negative Effects of the Pandemic as Winter Approaches

More than 100,000 restaurants have closed since the start of the pandemic and as many as 40% of restaurant owners don’t think their restaurant will make it through the winter if things continue the way they are going according to the National Restaurant Association.

The pandemic isn’t just affecting independent restaurants either. Chain restaurants are just as much at risk as the smaller establishments.

Costs aren’t any Lower

A big part of the problem is not only that sales are down, but costs are just as high as they were before. In fact, some restaurants state their labor costs exceed their pre-pandemic level because of the stricter measures put in place to ensure everyone’s safety.

Relief isn’t Coming

Another big part of the problem is the lack of relief. While the restaurant industry is grateful for the relief they received, it’s not enough to keep them going. They’ve waited as long as they could and now with the winter months upon us and outdoor dining nearly impossible in many areas of the country, more restaurants will hurt in a big way.

More Workers will be Furloughed or Laid Off

The restaurant industry fully expects to have to lay off or furlough even more workers during the winter months. With most restaurants restricted to curbside pickup and delivery, there is a much lower need for employees in the restaurant. Beyond a few kitchen staff and one or two front-of-the-house employees, restaurants can’t afford to keep others on staff for much longer if they want to try to stay in business.

Most restaurants are running at less than 80% of their normal staffing levels and many other restaurants had to pull back even further.

A Bleak Outlook

Restaurants have a bleak outlook for the winter and even the spring months. Even the restaurants that are making it right now have a meager outlook for the future. Only 6% of restaurant owners think things will get better for them by March.

What can Restaurants Do?

Right now without more relief, there isn’t much restaurant owners can do but try their best. They can offer new services, foods, and market their curbside and delivery services, but beyond that, their hands are tied.

They have little money to do much else and have to preserve what they have so they can keep their doors open and potentially keep some staff working.

It’s a bitter pill to swallow for the entire country. No restaurants in any state are doing well right now. Everyone is just getting by, but with the winter coming, everyone can’t help but worry about what comes next.

Who will be the next restaurant to close? Will the government pull through in time to save more restaurants during their time of need? Only time, patience, and a lot of thinking outside of the box will tell what the future holds for our restaurant industry.

Are Credit Card Rewards Points Programs Harmful?

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Over the course of the past ten years, credit card providers have ramped up their efforts to woo consumers with point-based loyalty programs.

Custom gift cards and loyalty cards are a great way to encourage repeat business and so many merchants have embraced the concept that the credit card providers have pushed. These redeemable Transaction Cards let customers make flexible decisions when purchasing goods or services from a merchant.

Early in the history of credit cards, most financial institutions were too dignified to offer game-like rewards systems involving point accumulation. As time went by, it became increasingly clear that nearly all types of credit card users were energized and excited by point systems. In the early part of the last decade, easy credit led to a dizzying proliferation of rewards programs. Although credit limits and eligibility requirements have tightened in recent years, credit card issuers maintain loyalty programs as integral parts of their marketing initiatives.

On an individual, case-by-case basis, rewards programs create very attractive incentives for customers. The public record abounds with stories of individuals who use reward points to gain earn free flights, hotel stays and other financial advantages. Collectively, some loyalty programs inspire widespread exploitation and abuse.

Since point-based reward programs are textbook examples of gamification, it is little surprise that many program members are gaming these systems irresponsibly. These individuals have perfected cunning “ghost transactions” that earn points without adding real value to the economy.

One popular technique is to purchase numerous gift cards with credit, only to use the gift balances to pay off credit card balances in a circular fashion. Though most of these schemes are technically legal, they consume manpower and resources in an exploitative manner. Point churning is a zero-sum game that leads to more expensive payments processing for retailers. Ultimately, many of these increased costs are passed on to the general public.

Point system abusers only account for a small percentage of loyalty program members. Even for ordinary users, rewards programs aren’t always as beneficial as they first appear. Individuals who use loyalty programs need to read and understand the fine print of program rules and regulations. In many cases, gains from cashing in points are fully offset by the costs of using additional credit. At their best, loyalty programs are engaging systems that spur responsible spending. However, economists argue that aggressive rewards programs can distort incentives and upset natural credit use patterns.

Here at Host Merchant Services, we are sensitive to how responsible credit card use contributes to the health of the broader economy. We provide our customers with tools to better understand and fulfill the needs of the public. Flexible, responsive payment processing encourages consumers to use credit with caution and care.