Why Mug Clubs Are the Perfect Blend for Coffee Shops
Mug clubs have long been a staple in breweries, but their transition into coffee shops is like discovering espresso martinis—an unexpected twist that just works. Coffee shops looking to build a loyal community should tap into this trend for its numerous perks.
Coffee Lovers, Unite!
Mug clubs have long been a staple in breweries, but their transition into coffee shops is like discovering espresso martinis—an unexpected twist that just works. Coffee shops looking to build a loyal community should tap into this trend for its numerous perks.
1. Boost Loyalty, One Sip at a Time
Who doesn’t love exclusivity? A mug club makes customers feel like they’re part of an elite caffeinated circle, where their loyalty is rewarded with perks, discounts, or maybe even their own personal mug chilling on a wall (yes, that’s a vibe). It’s human nature—people want to belong, and when they do, they’ll keep coming back for their daily (or thrice daily) fix.
Fun fact: People are 86% more likely to stay loyal to brands when they feel recognized and valued. Mug clubs are like a barista giving a daily high-five.
2. Steady Revenue Stream
Say hello to recurring revenue! Mug clubs are a subscription model wrapped in a coffee-stained hug. Whether it’s a one-time yearly fee or monthly subscription, members pay upfront, providing a stable, predictable income. This can help offset those slow Monday mornings when the weather’s too gloomy for even the most dedicated caffeine lovers to leave their beds.
Think of it like a Netflix subscription but instead of binge-watching Stranger Things, you're binge-drinking lattes. Same dopamine hit, fewer couch potato regrets.
3. Exclusive Experiences
Memberships offer more than just discounts on drinks. Think VIP treatment: exclusive blends, early access to new drinks, or members-only events like coffee tastings and latte art workshops. These experiences turn casual customers into superfans. Plus, who wouldn’t want bragging rights after perfecting their milk-foam heart?
This level of personalization can make people feel like they’re the Tom Hanks of their local coffee shop—recognized, adored, and always welcome.
4. Sustainability and Mug Appeal
Eco-conscious customers are always looking for ways to reduce their environmental impact. Mug clubs typically come with—you guessed it—mugs! By encouraging reusable cups, coffee shops can reduce waste and align with eco-friendly values. Plus, if members have personalized mugs at the shop, it adds a fun and unique visual appeal that’s both practical and Instagram-worthy.
If you've got a squad of regulars showing off their custom mugs, it’s free marketing every time someone snaps a pic.
5. Word-of-Mouth Marketing
Mug club members are essentially your brand ambassadors. They’re so hyped about their exclusive status, they'll tell everyone. Coffee shops that build a strong community around their mug clubs are sparking organic, word-of-mouth marketing.
It’s like building a cult, but instead of weird robes, everyone’s got matching mugs. #winning
6. Sense of Community
Finally, a mug club fosters a community vibe. In a world of drive-thru coffees and delivery services, creating a space where people want to gather and hang out is pure gold. Mug clubs encourage people to linger, chat with other members, and feel like they're part of something bigger—turning your coffee shop into the “third place” between home and work.
Bottom Line: Coffee shop owners, it’s time to embrace the mug life. These clubs are about more than just caffeine—they’re a way to build loyalty, create recurring revenue, and foster a strong community. Whether it’s the exclusivity, sustainability, or just the camaraderie, mug clubs are the secret sauce to keeping customers coming back for that extra shot of espresso.
Situated “in the heart of it all, yet tranquil enough to make you feel away from it all too,” The Limelight Hotel Snowmass offers 99 hotel rooms and 11 residences, as well as footsteps-to-gondola access in winter and summer — right in the middle of Snowmass Base Village.
The Situation
Especially over the last few years, the Limelight Hotels IT team had witnessed a significant shift to contactless technology in the hospitality industry. After evaluating friction points in the guest journey, aligning with modern technology platforms in their restaurant was determined to be an effective way to offer elevated contactless dining experiences to their guests while also evolving their technology platforms to continue to support long-term company goals. Limelight Hotel partnered with GoTab to provide an enhanced on-demand dining experience on par with the brand’s reputation for exceptional guest service.
The Solution
Reducing Staff Touch Points Without Sacrificing Guest Experience
Guests are now able to begin a tab from their room or the property’s restaurant by scanning a QR code, texting a link to friends or family members on the ski slope to add in their orders, then meeting up together at the patio or lodge to enjoy their meal and après ski festivities without interruption. By streamlining tasks like inputting orders and processing payments, this eliminates friction for hotel staff and allows them to focus on delivering renowned guest service for a memorable experience. Since partnering with GoTab, Limelight Snowmass has consistently seen higher check averages and sales.
“We found the Point of Sale platforms we were looking at offered the guest and staff limited opportunities to further reduce touch points or improve the traditional restaurant experience. The GoTab platform enabled the guest to take an active role over the flow of their experience while simultaneously reducing touch points and further streamlining restaurant operations.”Nick Giglio, Manager of Hotel IT Operations, The Little Nell Hotel Group
According to the Limelight Hotels team, some of the other platforms that were evaluated were either missing some of the pieces they were looking for, had weak customer support models, or had little willingness to develop integrations to existing hotel platforms already in place. To that end, GoTab integrated with cloud-based platform, Infor. Together, GoTab and Infor are providing dynamic solutions to support central, efficient service across hotel amenities and deliver exceptional guest experiences.
“Previously, guests would call down to the restaurant to begin an order from their room or while they were out enjoying the ski slopes. Using GoTab, guests can now place orders from anywhere on the resort, giving them the on-demand service they want without interrupting their day. GoTab empowers us to give control to the guest, reducing touch points and streamlining overall restaurant operations, making Limelight Hotel the resort of choice for Snowmass.”Nick Giglio, Manager of Hotel IT Operations, The Little Nell Hotel Group
Since introducing GoTab, The Limelight Hotel has seen a consistent level of upsells and items sold per check resulting in additional revenue capture. They have been able to maintain service levels in their restaurants during periods when there was reduced staffing available without significantly diminishing the guest experience.
The Benefits
Eliminate Phone Orders – Take Orders from the Slopes. Guests can start a tab from their room or on the mountain without interrupting the flow of their day.
Future-Proofed Technologies – Delivering elevated contactless ordering via integration with the Infor hotel management platform.
Eliminating Friction in the Guest Journey – Maintaining service levels during periods of reduced staff without diminishing the guest experience.
Eliminating Friction in the Guest Journey – Maintaining service levels during periods of reduced staff without diminishing the guest experience.
Eliminating Friction in the Guest Journey – Maintaining service levels during periods of reduced staff without diminishing the guest experience.
Eliminating Friction in the Guest Journey – Maintaining service levels during periods of reduced staff without diminishing the guest experience.
Eliminating Friction in the Guest Journey – Maintaining service levels during periods of reduced staff without diminishing the guest experience.
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