Illinois Fast-Food Chain Now Has the Worst Rewards App in America

Nearly every fast food chain has a loyalty rewards app these days, but not all of them are created equal. One popular chain in particular has failed to meet customers' expectations, resulting in their app falling to the bottom of a new ranking.

I have an assortment of various loyalty apps on my phone. In fact, in the last 30 days, I've placed an order on the Taco Bell, McDonald's, and Papa John's mobile apps. The savings on all three have actually been quite substantial with the in-app exclusives, and some even feature menu items not listed at the brick-and-mortar locations. That said, some of these apps are certainly better than others. A new test of 15 fast food apps has just determined the one that stands out as the worst.

Fast-Food Loyalty Apps on the Rise

It's worth noting that more and more businesses have been turning to digital deals to incentivize customers to place an order. According to Fast Company, food prices rose 20% from January 2021 to January 2024, which is the fastest jump ever recorded. In order to retain customers amid a time of horrific inflation, several companies have been stepping up their efforts in terms of app downloads. But again, not everyone is throwing around stellar deals.

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The Worst Fast-Food Loyalty App

The award for the worst fast-food loyalty app goes to a well-known sandwich shop with locations nationwide. According to Tasting Table, a test of 15 fast-food apps determined that Jimmy John's mobile app was the weakest of the bunch. The primary reason for this conclusion is how points are allocated. Instead of adopting a spend-based system, Jimmy John's allocates points based on the number of transactions you make. Bummer.

The Case for Jimmy John's

While I don't frequent Jimmy John's all that much, I still don't mind stopping by for a sub every so often. The Illinois-based chain has been around since the early 1990s and is known for its "freaky fast delivery." In 2019, the company launched its "Freaky Fast Rewards" program, which is apparently neither freaky nor fast. If, like many others, you've been disappointed with this rewards system, you can provide feedback to the chain by visiting their website.