Restaurants are hopping on the subscription bandwagon

You know what pairs really nicely with the $219 you spend on subscription fees each month? Some takeout from your favorite restaurant.

Per the Associated Press, restaurants want a piece of that sweet subscription model pie, with the average American hoarding 6.7 subscriptions in 2022, up from 4.2 in 2019.

We’re talking serious dough here: A recent report shows that, on average, Americans spend $200+/mo. on subscription fees.

So restaurants are serving up plans:

• PF Chang’s Platinum subscription is $6.99/mo. and includes free delivery, priority reservations, and other perks.
• Panera’s Unlimited Sip Club is $11.99/mo. (or $119.99/yr.) for unlimited hot and cold drinks — plus, annual subscribers get free delivery.
• Pret A Manger launched a coffee subscription in 2020 that is now used 1.2m times per week.

For some brands, it’s working. Panera’s loyalty program had nearly 40m members in 2020, and its chief brand and concept officer said that subscription plan members now make up 25% of the chain’s transactions.

Not just for chains

Some fine-dining establishments are getting in on the action as well. Gravitas, a Michelin-starred restaurant in Washington, DC, offers a Supper Club subscription for $130/mo. that includes a three-course takeout meal for two. The club serves ~60 diners monthly.

Wake us up when Netflix can shoot snacks straight out of the TV, thanks.