ezCater offers four core marketing programs to help restaurants gain visibility and convert customers on the Marketplace based on the restaurant’s location:
In Arizona, Colorado, District of Columbia, Kansas, Maryland, New Mexico, Oklahoma, Texas, Virginia, and West Virginia:
- ezRewards
- Sponsored listings
- Marketplace promos
Everywhere else:
- ezRewards
- Preferred Partner Program (PPP)
Here’s a bit more about each program below to learn more about using these programs to grow your visibility and drive more orders.
Preferred Partner Program (PPP)
The Preferred Partner Program (PPP) boosts your position in Marketplace search to drive visibility. Partners apply an additional percentage fee (you set between 2% and 20%) on the food subtotal of each Marketplace order; higher settings generally increase your visibility. Eligibility requires a 4+ star rating and at least one rated order, and you can opt in and out directly in ezManage at any time. PPP does not provide a customer-facing incentive; it functions like an added commission on the food subtotal (not on delivery fees).
Key benefits and information
- Increase Marketplace ranking and visibility to get more views and clicks.
- Instant control from ezManage so you can adjust settings any time.
- Lift in orders when paired with ezRewards; locations using both programs have historically seen more orders.
ezRewards
ezRewards is ezCater’s loyalty program for catering buyers; partners can add a multiplier (up to 5% back) so customers earn extra points on eligible Marketplace orders placed with your restaurant. This incentivizes the customer and helps you stand out in search with a dedicated filter and tag. ezRewards points accrue to customers on Marketplace orders and are redeemable as discounts or gift cards. ezRewards does not apply on ezOrdering pages for your site (orders placed on your own website via ezCater’s online ordering solution).
Key benefits and information
- Attract loyalty program buyers by offering up to 5% back that’s clearly surfaced in search.
- Improve visibility and differentiation alongside your listing.
- Stack with other programs (PPP or Sponsored Listings, depending on your market) to amplify clicks and conversions.
- Customers earn 1 point per $1 on Marketplace; your multiplier elevates the value they get with your brand.
- ezRewards does not apply on ezOrdering pages for your site.
Marketplace Promos
Marketplace Promos are partner-funded, auto‑applied deals that display on your listing and in a “Deals” filter to attract and convert customers – no promo code needed! Supported types include dollar‑off and percent‑off, with pre-set discount and minimum options and the ability to limit to weekdays only. You can set them up in ezManage, choose locations and dates, and track performance. Availability currently aligns with Sponsored Listings markets.
Key benefits and information
- Win attention with a visible Deals badge and dedicated filter in Marketplace search.
- Motivate higher conversion with dollar‑off or percent‑off offers that auto‑apply at checkout.
- Self‑serve setup and reporting in ezManage to iterate and improve results.
- Supported options include $10, $15, $20, $25, $50 discounts; optional minimums like $100–$500; and weekday‑only limits.
- Promos are restaurant‑funded and only apply to Marketplace orders (not ezOrdering).
Sponsored Listings
Sponsored Listings are labeled, paid placements that give your restaurant prominent visibility across Marketplace search. Campaigns run on a pay‑per‑order basis: you only pay when a customer clicks your ad and places an order within 28 days. You set budgets and strategy in ezManage, see transparent reporting (views, clicks, orders, ROAS), and fees are withheld from payouts; in some jurisdictions, a data processing tax may apply. Sponsored Listings are replacing PPP in expansion states as we transition to a more customer‑first, measurable model.
Key benefits and information
- Appear in prime, high‑intent placements where business buyers are actively shopping.
- Pay for performance (orders after an ad click), not just placement, with clear reporting to optimize ROI.
- Full budget control and simple self‑serve campaign management in ezManage.
- Ads are shown via an instant auction during each search; they’re clearly labeled as “Sponsored.”
- Our internal guidance for getting started is a weekly budget cap per store and iterating from results, with reporting to track 4–7 additional orders per month as a directional benchmark.
- Fees are withheld from payouts; cancellations/rejections after an ad‑driven order is placed do not change the sponsored listings fee.
Marketing Program Matrix
|
Program |
Primary goal |
Where it shows |
State-by-state availability |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Preferred Partner Program (PPP) |
Boost marketplace ranking to get more views |
Search ranking only (no deal or incentive shown) |
AL, AK, AR, CA, CT, DE, FL, GA, HI, ID, IL, IN, IA, KY, LA, ME, MA, MI, MN, MS, MO, MT, NE, NV, NH, NJ, NY, NC, ND, OH, OR, PA, RI, SC, SD, TN, UT, VT, WA, WI, WY |
|
ezRewards |
Incentivize purchasers to pick you |
Listing and search indicators that highlight extra rewards |
AL, AK, AZ, AR, CA, CO, CT, DC, DE, FL, GA, HI, ID, IL, IN, IA, KS, KY, LA, ME, MD, MA, MI, MN, MS, MO, MT, NE, NV, NH, NJ, NM, NY, NC, ND, OH, OK, OR, PA, RI, SC, SD, TN, TX, UT, VT, VA, WA, WV, WI, WY |
|
Marketplace Promos |
Convert customers with compelling deals |
Deals badge on listing and Deals filter |
AZ, CO, DC, KS, MD, NM, OK, TX, VA, WV |
|
Sponsored Listings |
Premium visibility to high‑intent buyers |
Labeled Sponsored slots in search |
AZ, CO, DC, KS, MD, NM, OK, TX, VA, WV |
How to choose and combine programs
- If your goal is prime visibility in competitive markets, use PPP or Sponsored Listings (depending on the state) for prominent placement and pay‑per‑order efficiency.
- If you want to incentivize more clicks, incentivize customers, and stand out in search, add an ezRewards multiplier; customers seek out listings offering extra points.
- If you need a strong conversion hook (e.g., weekday discounts, end‑of‑quarter pushes), run Marketplace Promos with a visible Deals badge and auto‑applied discount. (available in select states)
- In markets without Sponsored Listings, PPP remains the lever to boost search ranking; and pair with ezRewards for added visibility.
- Bundle with other marketing programs! Motivate customers to order and spend more with ezCater Marketing Tools.Get more people to discover your promo by also running a sponsored listings ad. You only pay for ads when an order is placed through it – you are never charged for clicks or impressions. Drive loyalty by bundling with ezRewards to retain or win back lapsed customers.
Setup and management
- Manage all programs in ezManage under Marketing: adjust PPP/ezRewards instantly, create and track Marketplace Promos, and build Sponsored Listings campaigns with budgets and reporting.
- Marketplace Promos: Go to Marketing > Marketplace Promos to create, then monitor redemptions, sales, and trends to optimize.
- Sponsored Listings: Create campaigns in ezManage, set budgets, and review performance (views, clicks, orders, ROAS) on the My campaigns page.
FAQs
- Is PPP going away? In expansion states, PPP is being replaced by Sponsored Listings; PPP continues elsewhere for now.
- Do I pay for ad clicks in Sponsored Listings? No – you only pay when a customer clicks your ad and places an order within 28 days.
- Can I target specific days with promos? Yes—weekday‑only restrictions are supported.
- Do buyers earn ezRewards on ezOrdering? No—ezRewards applies to Marketplace orders, not ezOrdering.
For any questions about our marketing programs please contact our partner success team of your dedicated account manager.