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Keller launches Open Rewards app and restaurant week with cash‑back to boost local spending
Summary
Keller Economic Development staff announced a city-backed cash‑back promotion paired with Keller Restaurant Week: 10% cash back at 22 participating restaurants the week of July 28–Aug. 3, then a 5% program for qualifying local retailers and family entertainment through Sept. 8; per-person cap $100 and receipts must be submitted by Sept. 30.
Keller Economic Development staff announced a city-backed cash‑back program tied to Keller Restaurant Week that will offer 10% cash back at participating restaurants the week of July 28–Aug. 3 and 5% cash back at participating local retailers and family‑entertainment venues from Aug. 4–Sept. 8.
The program is built around a third‑party platform called Open Rewards and is operated by BlueDot, the vendor selected to process receipts and issue cash‑back. "People will get 10% cash back from those participating restaurants," said Sarah, an economic development staff member presenting the program. Each participant is limited to $100 total cash back over the campaign, and receipts must be submitted by Sept. 30 to be eligible.
Why it matters: the city is using the promotion to drive foot traffic to small businesses and to encourage residents and visitors to spend locally. The city deposited program funds up front to fund the cash‑back payments; staff said Keller provided $50,000 to BlueDot as the initial program fund.
How it works and limits - Restaurant week: July 28–Aug. 3. Twenty‑two local restaurants are listed as participating for the first week. The full bill is eligible for the 10% rate during that week. "Each person can only get a total of a $100 back during the entire period," Sarah said. - Expanded period: Aug. 4–Sept. 8 the program is open to additional local restaurants, retail stores that produce sales tax and family entertainment venues (examples discussed by staff included the movie theater and Monster Mini Golf). City council requested the inclusion of local retailers and family entertainment venues; staff said council also asked that grocery stores, gas stations and major “big box” retailers be excluded. - Redemption: participants upload receipts by taking a photo in the Open Rewards app or link a credit card to select qualifying charges. BlueDot reviews receipts and alerts the city if an unlisted business is submitted; staff can approve or decline those entries. - Deadlines and payout: receipts must be uploaded by Sept. 30. Cash can be claimed through common payout options (Venmo, PayPal, or check). Staff said unused program funds would remain with the city if not issued.
Oversight and metrics Staff said BlueDot will provide daily metrics showing use by location and frequency so the city can monitor uptake and adjust marketing. "BlueDot gives a lot of metrics that give back to the city to let us know the people that used it, where it was used, how often it was used," the presenter said. Staff also said the program can be turned on or off and re‑deployed later if the city chooses to run a similar promotion again.
City exclusions and controls City council requested the program exclude groceries, gas stations and major big‑box retailers; staff said those exclusions are in place. Staff also said the city will receive vendor alerts if a business not on the approved list is submitted for reimbursement, and staff will confirm whether to accept those receipts.
Next steps Staff asked the board to help spread the word and provide feedback on participating businesses and marketing. Staff also said they and the vendor will monitor the program and increase marketing mid‑campaign if uptake is below targets.
The program is described by staff as a pilot; future runs would require additional city authorization and funding.
