A digital stamp card for your cafe or bar
To use QR codes in a cafe or bar, start with a stamp card at the counter. CirculateQR's Loyalty Stamp template gives customers a free digital card on their own phone. Staff add a stamp by typing a PIN on that phone, a cooldown stops repeat stamps, and the reward is ready after the number of stamps you choose. Add a WiFi code for the tables and a menu page you can edit.
Why the printed version falls short
Paper punch cards get lost, forgotten or run through the wash
Stamps on paper are easy to fake with a pen
Customers ask for the WiFi password at every table
The specials change faster than the printed menu
You can't tell how many cards are in use or how many rewards are claimed
Cafes & Bars with CirculateQR
Customers keep a stamp card on their phone and staff add stamps with a PIN. Pair it with a WiFi code and an editable menu.
- A stamp card on the customer's phone, with no app or account
- Staff add stamps with a PIN typed on the customer's phone
- A cooldown between stamps, 60 minutes by default
- Card, stamp and reward counts in your dashboard
- A WiFi code so guests join without typing the password
- A menu page with sold-out switches and allergen labels
How to set it up
Set the reward
In Studio, open the Loyalty Stamp template. Set the program name, the number of stamps and the reward.Choose a staff PIN
Pick a 4 to 8 digit PIN and a cooldown between stamps. Only staff should know the PIN.Put the code by the register
Customers scan to open their card. When they buy, staff type the PIN on the customer's phone to add a stamp.Redeem the reward
When the card has enough stamps, staff enter the PIN on the customer's phone to redeem the reward.
Useful extras
Card activity
See each card as an anonymous ID with its stamp count, plus the rewards redeemed. Customers don't share names or emails.
Guest WiFi code
A separate static code holds your network name and password, so phones join without typing. It's free and never expires.
Happy hour menu by timeStudio+
A link code with a time-of-day rule can open your happy hour menu page in the afternoon and the regular menu the rest of the day.
Coffee loyalty template
A paid template ($3.99, bought once) adds tiers, a birthday reward and referrals. Members join with a first name.
A plan badge means that plan or higher is needed. Paid marketplace templates show their one-time price. Compare plans
CirculateQR vs paper punch card and building your own app
No app or account for customers
- CirculateQR
- ✓
- Paper punch card
- ✓
- Building your own app
- ✗
Stamps need a staff PIN
- CirculateQR
- ✓
- Paper punch card
- ✗
- Building your own app
- △
Cooldown between stamps
- CirculateQR
- ✓
- Paper punch card
- ✗
- Building your own app
- △
Count of cards and rewards
- CirculateQR
- ✓
- Paper punch card
- ✗
- Building your own app
- ✓
Card kept if the customer changes phones
- CirculateQR
- ✗
- Paper punch card
- ✓
- Building your own app
- △
| CirculateQR | Paper punch card | Building your own app | |
|---|---|---|---|
| No app or account for customers | ✓ | ✓ | ✗ |
| Stamps need a staff PIN | ✓ | ✗ | △ |
| Cooldown between stamps | ✓ | ✗ | △ |
| Count of cards and rewards | ✓ | ✗ | ✓ |
| Card kept if the customer changes phones | ✗ | ✓ | △ |
✓ yes · ✗ no · △ partly or with extra work
Frequently asked questions
Do customers need an app or an account?
No. The card opens in the phone's browser and is stored there. If a customer clears their browser data or changes phones, the card is lost.
How do staff add a stamp?
The customer opens their card and hands over the phone. Staff type the PIN you set, and a stamp is added. A cooldown, 60 minutes by default, stops a second stamp right after the first.
Can the free card give points per dollar spent?
No. The free card counts stamps. Points per dollar, entered by staff, are in the paid restaurant loyalty template.
Can I import my existing punch card customers?
No. There's no import. Customers start a new card the first time they scan.
Can one code do WiFi and the stamp card?
No. A WiFi code holds the network details in the code itself, so it's a separate code. Put the WiFi code on the tables and the stamp card code by the register.
What happens on the free plan?
The stamp card is a dynamic code, so on the free Standard plan it stays live for 14 days after publishing, then pauses. Upgrade, or pay a one-time $5 for that code (before or after it pauses), to keep it running. The WiFi code is static and never expires.
Related pages
More for Hospitality & Dining
Features used here
Guides
Start with the Loyalty Stamp template
The template opens in Studio with starter content filled in. Change the text, pick a design and download. The free plan needs no card.