Originally Posted by missydarlin

Starbucks *does* have a reward program. http://www.fosdinersrewards.com/

But they also make the bulk of their money on relatively low cost items that are significantly marked up. This morning, I paid $2.65 for an iced tea that would cost me about a dime to make (and thats using their fancy Tazo tea... it would be about 3 cents if I used cheaper tea bags).

So does Ruth's Chris http://www.fosdinersrewards.com/

Places like McDonalds or Taco Bell have loss leaders rather than a reward program. I can't make a Bean Burrito or a cheeseburger at home for $.99. They're just hoping you'll buy a drink with it so they will recoup the loss. I don't think they could afford a reward program.