How Romeros on Main Increased Orders and Raving Reviews—Without Ads

TLDR

In just three years, Romeros on Main has grown from a simple dream with no past experience into a beloved local hotspot for coffee and mini donuts in Downtown Ennis, Texas. Founded by husband-and-wife team Anthony and Brittany Romero, the shop has become a favorite gathering place for locals looking for handcrafted coffee and fresh, delicious mini donuts.

Romeros is a place where people come together over great coffee and delicious mini donuts. With a welcoming atmosphere and a commitment to quality, they’ve built a loyal community. Their active presence on social media, engaging storytelling, and dedication to customer experience have helped them stand out in a competitive market.

While their in-store experience is exceptional, what makes them truly stand out is their vision to embrace mobile technology to reach more customers, build loyalty, and drive sales beyond their physical storefront. By successfully transitioning customers to app-based ordering, Romeros on Main proves that small businesses can thrive by integrating digital tools in smart and strategic ways. Let’s dive into how they did it.

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Romeros on Main’s Mobile App Success Strategy

Driving Downloads Through Smart Placement

Romeros on Main made a smart move by prominently featuring their mobile app on their website’s ordering page, making it easy for visitors to switch to mobile ordering with just a tap. This approach aligns with modern customer behavior—when people visit a restaurant’s website to place an order, they’re more inclined to download an app if it enhances convenience.

They also optimized their Google presence, replacing the traditional menu link with a direct path to their app landing page. This small yet impactful change ensured that customers searching for their menu were seamlessly guided to the app, making mobile ordering the easiest and most intuitive choice.

Social Media Promotion & Digital Loyalty Adoption

When the mobile app launched, Romeros on Main didn’t just announce it—they marketed it strategically. Their goal was to shift customers toward digital loyalty while making ordering faster, easier, and more rewarding. Here’s how they did it:

• Promoted the app on social media by highlighting its convenience and special rewards for app users.
• Encouraged loyalty program adoption, understanding that today’s customers prefer digital rewards over traditional punch cards.
• Chose Per Diem, Square’s #1 loyalty mobile ordering app, as their preferred solution, reinforcing their commitment to offering the best digital experience for customers.

By making digital rewards a major selling point, they successfully transitioned customers from in-store purchases to app orders, increasing retention and engagement.

Leveraging Push Notifications to Engage and Convert

The Romeros understand that consistent communication is key to keeping customers engaged. They actively use push notifications in their app to stay connected with their audience. Instead of generic messages, they tailor their notifications for:

• New menu announcements
• Exclusive app-only discounts
• Special events and promotions
• Friendly check-ins to maintain engagement

This strategy keeps customers coming back and ensures they don’t forget about Romeros on Main amid the noise of other dining options.

App-Exclusive Rewards That Keep Customers Hooked

What keeps customers coming back to the Romeros on Main app? The brand’s well-structured rewards program that turns casual buyers into loyal regulars. Their app-exclusive perks include:

• Bonus points for first-time downloads to incentivize adoption.
• Points for every successful order, ensuring repeat engagement.
• Weekly streak rewards to encourage consistent ordering behavior.
• Store credit bonuses when customers pre-load their balance in the app.

These strategic incentives not only increase app orders but also boost overall customer satisfaction and brand loyalty.

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What Can Other Small Businesses Learn From Romeros on Main?

For other coffee shops, bakeries, and local eateries looking to scale beyond traditional operations, Romeros on Main offers a playbook for success:

Make App Downloads a No-Brainer

• Feature the app prominently on your website and Google Business listing.
• Highlight app benefits like faster ordering, loyalty perks, and exclusive rewards.

Use Social Media to Promote App Adoption

• Announce the app strategically with engaging content.
• Emphasize digital loyalty benefits to shift customers from physical to mobile rewards.

Engage Customers Through Push Notifications

• Keep messages relevant, timely, and valuable.
• Balance promotions with community-driven updates to build relationships.

Create App-Exclusive Rewards to Retain Users

• Implement loyalty incentives to keep customers engaged.
• Offer gamified rewards like streaks and bonuses to increase participation.

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Final Thoughts

Romeros on Main proves that mobile ordering and digital loyalty aren’t just for big brands. With the right approach, small businesses can create easy, enjoyable experiences that keep customers coming back.

Their journey is a great example for other local cafes, bakeries, and restaurants looking to grow while staying authentic to their brand. By focusing on convenience, engagement, and rewards, Romeros has created a strong and connected community around their brand.

If you’re a small business owner looking to implement a winning mobile strategy, take notes from Romeros on Main—and start leveraging the power of app-based ordering by signing up today. 

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