Running a local business is rewarding, but it can also be unpredictable. One week your sales are up, the next week it rains and foot traffic slows down. Add rising costs, staffing challenges, and increased competition, and it becomes clear that traditional retail models need an upgrade.
That is where subscription programs come in. You have probably noticed how popular subscriptions are in other industries. People subscribe to everything from movies to meals. Now, local businesses like coffee shops, MedSpas , juice bars, and boutique salons can do the same thing. With the help of tools like Subport, you can easily create a subscription program that runs directly through your Square POS.
This guide will walk you through everything you need to know, step by step, so you can build predictable income and keep your customers coming back more often.
TL;DR – Key Takeaways
- Subscriptions create stability. They give local businesses predictable monthly revenue, reduce reliance on foot traffic, and increase customer loyalty.
- Your total monthly recurring revenue
- Start simple. Choose one easy-to-understand offer, like a daily coffee pass or weekend drink bundle. Keep the math and value obvious.
- On Instagram and your Google Business profile
- It works. A local café added $3K+ in monthly revenue within 60 days using a $30/month coffee plan, with zero extra labor.
Why Add a Subscription to Your Brick-and-Mortar Business?
Before we dive into setup, it helps to understand why subscriptions are so powerful for local businesses.
Here are just a few of the benefits:
- How many members you have
- Your total monthly recurring revenue
- You create exclusive offers that help you stand out from competitors.
- On Instagram and your Google Business profile
The best part is, you do not need to be tech-savvy or spend thousands of dollars to get started. With the right platform, adding a subscription plan is as simple as creating a new product in your Square dashboard.
Step 1: Choose Your Subscription Offer
Start by deciding what kind of
Daily Brew Pass: Customers pay a flat fee for one coffee or tea per day.
Combo Plan: Customers get 10 drinks and 10 pastries per month at a discounted rate.
Weekend Plan: Members get two premium drinks every Saturday and Sunday.
Keep your offer simple and easy to understand. If your customers can do the math in their heads and see the savings, they are more likely to join.
Also, make sure your subscription provides real value while protecting your profit margins. Most successful programs aim to be a win-win: customers save money over time, and you gain consistent income with fewer marketing costs.
Step 2: Set Up Your Subscription in Subport
Once you have your offer, you can use Subport to set everything up. Subport is a Square-approved app that allows you to create subscription plans that sync directly with your POS system.
Once you're ready, book a demo with Subport or simply click "Get Started" on the top of your webpage. Once we have all the information your business needs to start, we can get started on your custom mobile branded app right away!
Once published, your plan is now available for customers to purchase directly in-store or online. Subport handles billing, renewals, and customer tracking for you.
Step 3: Train Your Staff and Promote the Program
Now that your plan is live, it is time to get the word out. Start by training your team on how to explain and sell the membership to customers.
Here is a simple script your baristas or front counter staff can use:
“Hey, if you come in a few times a week, you might like our Daily Brew Pass. It is just $25 a month, and you get one coffee free every day. Want to check it out?”
You should also promote the subscription program:
- At the register with a small sign or tabletop card
- On your menu board
- On your website with the checkout link
- On Instagram and your Google Business profile
You do not need a full-scale marketing campaign. Just make it easy for your regulars to know that a membership option exists and that it saves them money if they are already frequent visitors.
Step 4: Monitor, Adjust, and Grow
Once your subscription is running, keep an eye on how it performs. Subport will show you:
- How many members you have
- Your total monthly recurring revenue
- Which items are redeemed most often
This data helps you understand customer behavior and gives you room to optimize. You might find that one plan outperforms others, or that certain perks encourage more food purchases.
Do not be afraid to test different ideas. For example, you can offer a trial version of your subscription for one week or launch a limited-time seasonal plan around holiday drinks.
The flexibility of a platform like Subport means you can grow your program in real time and keep adapting to what your customers respond to.
Real Example: A Local Coffee Shop Boosts Revenue
One small café in California used Subport to launch a $30 monthly coffee plan that offered one free drink per day. Within 60 days, over 100 customers signed up. That added more than $3,000 in recurring revenue without increasing labor or operating costs.
Customers loved the feeling of being “members” and started visiting more frequently. Many even brought friends with them, increasing the shop’s average ticket size.
This type of success is not limited to big chains. Local businesses that are willing to adopt simple tech can see a huge lift in stability, engagement, and profitability.
FAQ
Q: Why should I offer a subscription at my local business?
A: Subscriptions create reliable monthly revenue, increase customer loyalty, and help drive consistent foot traffic, even during slow periods.
Q: What types of businesses can use Subport?
A: Any local business using Square POS. This includes coffee shops, MedSpas, juice bars, salons, gyms and more.
Q: What are some popular subscription ideas?
A: Examples include a Daily Brew Pass (1 drink/day), a Combo Plan (10 drinks + 10 pastries/month), or a Weekend Plan (2 premium drinks each weekend).
Q: How do I promote the subscription?
A: Train your staff with a short pitch and promote the plan at the register, on your menu board, your website, social media, and Google Business profile.
Q: What if customers don’t sign up?
A: Track performance with Subport’s analytics. You can adjust pricing, test perks, or run limited-time trials to see what gets traction.
Q: Can I change or remove a plan later?
A: Yes. You can edit, pause, or delete plans anytime based on performance and customer feedback.
Q: Is this only for tech-savvy owners?
A: No. If you can create a product in your Square dashboard, you can run subscriptions through Subport.
