Carl's Jr. introduces first integrated mobile payment, gifting and rewards app into Canadian burger market, fuelling expansion into Canada
TORONTO and VANCOUVER, Aug. 12, 2015 /CNW/ - PayWith Inc., a Vancouver-based mobile payments, rewards and marketing company, and Carl's Jr.®, the iconic U.S. restaurant chain known for its big, juicy California-style burgers, have partnered to launch a secure, easy-to-use "Rewards App" into Canada's competitive, quick-serve burger market.
In keeping with its youthful brand image, Carl's Jr. is now the first burger chain in Canada to introduce an app that seamlessly combines mobile payment, gifting and rewards for its customers, setting a new industry standard here.
"PayWith created an app designed to open a positive dialogue between Carl's Jr. and its customers," says David Strebinger, CEO of PayWith. "Not every dining experience is the same and it enables customers to share their feedback with the brand and get the rewards and perks they deserve.
The good news for burger lovers is that when someone downloads the free app and joins the Carl's Jr. Rewards Program, they receive a $10 Carl's Jr. welcome gift card directly to their mobile phone that is valid at participating Carl's Jr. restaurants.
The Carl's Jr. Rewards App can be used today to purchase menu items at participating Carl's Jr. locations and earn rewards. The App works with any smart phone operating system and can be quickly downloaded from the Apple Store or by visiting Google Play.
The rewards and payment app incorporates many of the most advanced features available in mobile communications devices today: from iBeacon technology communicating to customers when they walk in the door of a Carl's Jr., to social media features that allow customers to share communications with their friends with the click of one button.
As mobile payments continue to gain momentum the Rewards App will be seamlessly integrated into Apple Pay and Android Pay allowing customers to simply "tap" their phone at the cash register to purchase items and earn rewards. Apple Pay and Android Pay are expected to launch in Canada later this year.
Strebinger adds, "Carl's Jr. is fiercely devoted to its customers and this new Rewards App will allow the brand to get closer to its customers' wants and needs and build sales and transactions in Canada's competitive burger market."
"Our franchisees want a forward-thinking, 360-degree mobile experience for their customers," says Jeff Branton, VP and General Manager of Carl's Jr. Canada. "Using our Rewards App, diners now have the ability to pay for their meals using their mobile phone, earn instant rewards, share their experience with friends on social media, and provide instant feedback directly to us."
Carl's Jr. stands apart from other burger restaurants by offering freshly prepared, high-quality menu items, including its famous 100 percent Black Angus Beef Thickburgers® served on Fresh Baked Buns, Hand-Breaded Chicken Tenders™, Hand-Scooped Ice Cream Shakes™ and Made From Scratch Biscuits baked fresh in their restaurants during breakfast hours. Carl's Jr. also features a superior dining experience that includes innovative menu items, made-to-order and served at your table, all in a modern, upscale, and spacious environment.
The introduction of the Rewards App follows an aggressive expansion by Carl's Jr. into the Canadian market that will see 30 restaurants open across Ontario's "Golden Horseshoe" over the next six years. Carl's Jr. is currently operating restaurants in Vancouver, Abbotsford, Chilliwack, Kelowna, Vernon, Kamloops, Penticton, Grande Prairie, Edmonton, Spruce Grove, Regina, Guelph, Waterloo, and Toronto.
"PayWith's leading-edge solution fits with our brand and we're excited about using it as we expand," says Branton.
The Carl's Jr. Rewards App can now be used at its four Ontario restaurants in Waterloo, Guelph, and two Toronto locations. Carl's Jr. will announce further locations where it will be activated over the next few months.
About PayWith Inc.
PayWith Inc. is a Canadian-based mobile payment, rewards and marketing company set on changing the way merchants and consumers connect, communicate and transact. Our mission is to make Canada the world leader in mobile payment adoption by developing and providing merchants with innovative technology that is secure and easy to use. PayWith's mobile payment solutions uniquely merge ecommerce and customer loyalty and rewards programs with marketing analytics to help merchants grow their businesses. Our leadership team consists of entrepreneurs, software developers, and trailblazers from the worlds of marketing, technology, commerce, sports and hospitality.
About CKE Restaurants Holdings, Inc.
CKE Restaurants Holdings, Inc. ("CKE") is a privately held company headquartered in Carpinteria, Calif. Through its subsidiaries, CKE owns and licenses Carl's Jr.® and Hardee's® quick-service restaurants. CKE operates Carl's Jr. and Hardee's as one brand under two names acknowledging the regional heritage of both banners. After opening its first restaurants in New York and New Jersey this spring and recent international openings in Canada, Colombia and Guatemala, CKE now has a total of 3,584 franchised or company-operated restaurants in 44 states and 35 foreign countries and U.S. territories. Known for its one-of-a-kind premium menu items such as 100 percent Black Angus Thickburgers®, Made from Scratch™ Biscuits, Hand-Breaded Chicken Tenders™ and Fresh Baked Buns, as well as an award-winning marketing approach, the Carl's Jr./Hardee's brand continues to deliver substantial and consistent growth in the U.S. and overseas. The Carl's Jr./Hardee's system is now 87 percent franchised, with international restaurants representing 18 percent of the system. For more information about CKE, please visit www.ckr.com or its brand sites at www.carlsjr.com and www.hardees.com.
SOURCE PayWith Worldwide Inc.
Image with caption: "PayWith and Carl’s Jr.® have partnered to launch a secure, easy-to-use Rewards App. Carl’s Jr. becomes the first burger chain in Canada to introduce an app that seamlessly combines mobile payment, gifting and rewards for its customers. (CNW Group/PayWith Worldwide Inc.)". Image available at: http://photos.newswire.ca/images/download/20150812_C7277_PHOTO_EN_476155.jpg
Image with caption: "Great news for burger lovers: Download the free Carl’s Jr.® Rewards App and receive a $10 welcome gift card on your mobile phone. Developed by PayWith, the Carl’s Jr. Rewards App seamlessly combines mobile payment, gifting and rewards for its customers. (CNW Group/PayWith Worldwide Inc.)". Image available at: http://photos.newswire.ca/images/download/20150812_C7277_PHOTO_EN_476252.jpg
For further information, visuals, or interviews please contact: Robert MacLean, Public Affairs, PayWith Worldwide, (416) 992-7817, [email protected]
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