Checkers and Rally's brings lapsed customers back with mobile game rewards
Checkers and Rally's is seeing a sharp rebound in guest engagement, especially from lapsed customers, thanks to its work with Mobivity Holdings Corp. Using Mobivity's Connected Rewards™ program, the brand tied real-world offers to mobile gameplay—an intentional move to re-ignite participation and lift redemption rates among people who hadn’t interacted in a while.
Mobile gaming as a direct line to customer interaction
Connected Rewards makes mobile games a practical channel for offers, not just a distraction. By linking rewards to playing, Checkers and Rally's reaches current guests in a new way and invites in players who might not have engaged otherwise. It keeps the brand present where a tech-savvy audience already spends time—on their phones.
What the numbers show
The early results are clear, and they point to a focused, efficient program:
- 35.3x higher offer redemption rate: Offers tied to gameplay redeemed at 35.3 times the rate of Checkers’ prior, more traditional promotions.
- 54% from lapsed customers: More than half of redemptions (54%) came from people who hadn’t engaged with the brand in over 90 days.
- 2.5x lift after gameplay: After playing, customers redeemed subsequent offers 2.5 times more often.
Perspectives from leadership
Scott Johnson, Chief Marketing Officer of Checkers and Rally's, summed up the impact: "The consumer engagement improvements we have experienced through Mobivity's Connected Rewards have been truly thrilling. Our ability to re-engage lapsed customers has not only enhanced our offer redemption rates, but it has also bolstered our overall business performance. This strategic initiative has allowed us to fund additional marketing efforts while maintaining our existing budget."
Expanding reach across more channels
Given the strong response, Checkers plans to take these mobile game-linked offers wider, including into its loyalty app. The goal is straightforward: meet more customers where they already are, deepen loyalty with those returning, and make the path from gameplay to redemption feel simple and repeatable.
Mutual success in collaboration
Kim Carlson, COO of Mobivity, reflected on the joint effort: "Working alongside Checkers and Rally's has been an incredibly fulfilling journey. The sustained and impressive results underscore Checkers’ innovative spirit and the effectiveness of Connected Rewards. We look forward to continuing this partnership and achieving new milestones together."
Looking ahead
As Connected Rewards evolves, it’s reshaping how brands connect with people who play on mobile. More brands are noticing that marketing and gameplay don’t have to live in separate lanes. Checkers and Rally's shows how a simple loop—play, get an offer, redeem, repeat—can bring lapsed customers back and make everyday interactions feel rewarding.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Mobivity's Connected Rewards™?
It’s a platform that connects mobile gameplay with real-world offers and rewards, helping brands spark engagement and boost redemption rates.
How much did offer redemptions improve?
Offers tied to mobile gaming redeemed 35.3 times more often than Checkers’ traditional promotions.
Who’s coming back to redeem?
54% of redemptions came from customers who hadn’t engaged with Checkers and Rally's for more than 90 days.
Where will these game-linked offers show up next?
Checkers plans to extend them across more channels, including the loyalty app, to reach more guests and make repeat engagement easier.
What’s the business impact for Checkers?
The program lifted redemption rates, helped re-engage lapsed customers, and enabled additional marketing efforts without increasing the existing budget.
