Cicis Pizza launched its first-ever national loyalty program in early November 2025. Now it’s already blazed its way to a milestone of 1 million members—in less than eight months.
To celebrate the occasion in late June, the buffet chain surprised its millionth Cicis Rewards member, identified only as Sophia, with a $1,000 check, 20,000 rewards points (equivalent to one free adult buffet per month for a year) and a Cicis swag bag during a special presentation at the Cicis store on North Lamar Boulevard in Austin, Texas.
According to Cicis, Sophia is a longtime fan who has been eating at the restaurant since she was four years old and continues to stop by nearly every Sunday after church with family and friends. “Cicis has been part of my life for as long as I can remember,” Sophia said in a statement. “Some of my favorite childhood memories were made there, and it’s still part of my Sunday routine today. Being recognized as the millionth rewards member is something I’ll never forget, and I’m incredibly grateful to be part of such a special moment for a brand that has meant so much to me over the years.”
With roughly 271 locations in 30 U.S. states, Cicis’ one-million-member rewards milestone suggests the program has generated significant reach for a regional-to-national buffet brand—averaging nearly 3,700 rewards members per location, although actual membership will vary widely by market.
It also should be noted that Cicis is a legacy pizza brand dating back more than 41 years. But it has stayed relevant with a refreshed interior design last year while targeting expansion in growth markets like Florida, Georgia, Alabama, Texas and the Carolinas. It closed out 2025 with a 1.7% year-over-year increase in same-store sales while much larger chains like Pizza Hut and Papa Johns floundered. And Cicis opened eight new restaurants last year, including standout locations in Calhoun and Thomasville, Georgia, while debuting its new interior prototype in Grapevine, Texas.
Growing a fledgling loyalty program from zero to 1 million members in under a year is more than a feel-good achievement. Cicis Rewards gives the buffet brand a direct marketing channel to a large and growing base of guests who have actively raised their hands and said they want to hear from Cicis. At a time when restaurant brands are fighting for traffic, frequency and value-conscious consumers, a rewards program of that size allows Cicis to build repeat visits through targeted offers, birthday rewards, limited-time promotions and personalized incentives that can be tied directly to guest behavior.
The milestone also gives Cicis a valuable source of first-party customer data—a growing priority for restaurant marketers as digital ordering, loyalty apps and personalized marketing become more important to driving sales. For a buffet concept built around affordability, family visits and group occasions, Cicis Rewards can help the brand identify its most loyal guests, encourage more frequent visits and turn longtime fans into brand advocates.
The story of Sophia, the millionth member, puts a human face on that strategy. For any pizza restaurant—whether a single-unit independent or a small, mid-sized or large chain—having a loyalty program deepens relationships with customers who already see the brand as part of their routines, traditions and family memories.
As Jeff Hetsel, president of Cicis Pizza, said, “We don’t take that loyalty for granted. Reaching this moment allowed us to give back to one of the guests who helped make it possible and say thank you in a meaningful way. The fact that our millionth member has made Cicis part of her life for so many years makes this celebration even more special.”
