# Rewarding Mexican Restaurant Apps The TJ Rewards App Helps Taco John's Customers Earn Free Food By Katherine Pendrill | Published 2016-10-24 | Tech Source: Trend Hunter, https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/tj-rewards References: [qsrmagazine](https://www.qsrmagazine.com/news/taco-johns-launches-new-loyalty-app) & [tacojohns](https://www.tacojohns.com/tjrewards/) Earlier this summer, the popular Mexican quick-service chain [Taco John's](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/taco-johns1) rolled out an app-based loyalty program called TJ Rewards. Not only does the new app help customers earn free food, but it also provides access to special offers, contests and promotions. The TJ Rewards app was developed in partnership with the company [Punchh](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/pokeworks-app), which helps restaurants developed branded loyalty programs. The app works just like a digital punch card, meaning customers earn a single punch for each order totaling five dollars or more. After eight punches, users will receive a digital coupon for a free Combo Meal of their choice. Those using the TJ Rewards app will also receive updates about limited-time offers, birthday coupons and exclusive contests. The TJ Rewards app ultimately gives QSR restaurants such as [Taco Johns](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/new-queso-blanco) a new way to connect with young consumers by engaging them via a medium they are already familiar with. ## Trend Insights (Trend Hunter) - Score: 3.5/10 - Popularity: 28% | Activity: 69% | Freshness: 8% - Audience gender: 50% men, 50% women - Primary generations: Millennial, Gen X - Top markets: North America ## Categories [Trend Hunter](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends) > [Tech](https://www.trendhunter.com/tech) > [Mobile](https://www.trendhunter.com/mobile) ## Key Themes ### What Makes This Trend Stand Out - **Digital Loyalty Programs:** Disruptive innovation opportunity: Develop app-based loyalty programs to enhance customer engagement and reward loyalty. - **Mobile Couponing:** Disruptive innovation opportunity: Implement mobile couponing strategies to drive customer acquisition and retention. - **Exclusive App Content:** Disruptive innovation opportunity: Offer exclusive content, such as limited-time offers and contests, to app users for increased user engagement and brand loyalty. ### Sectors Adopting This - **Quick-service Restaurants:** Disruptive innovation opportunity: Explore digital loyalty programs and mobile couponing as a means to attract and retain customers. - **Mobile App Development:** Disruptive innovation opportunity: Partner with restaurants to develop app-based loyalty programs and mobile couponing solutions. - **Marketing and Advertising:** Disruptive innovation opportunity: Create innovative strategies for engaging customers through exclusive content and personalized promotions via mobile apps. ## Related on Trend Hunter - [Taco-Based Reward Promotions](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/taco-johns1.md) - [Digital Restaurant Rewards Programs](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/hardees.md) - [Celebratory QSR App Promotions](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/free-crunchwrap-supreme.md) - [Triple-Tiered Taco Rewards Programs](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/velvet-taco.md) - [Custom-Made Loyalty Apps](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/txb-loyalty-app.md) - [QSR Loyalty Apps](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/zax-rewardz.md) - [Celebratory Mexican Cuisine Promotions](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/taco-johns-month-of-mucho.md) - [Extra Cost-Conscious Meal Deals](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/meal-steal-deal.md) - [QSR-Backed Rewards Programs](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/whataburger-1.md)