Kohl’s Is Merging Its Store Charge Card And Loyalty Program With Apple Pay. Will Franchisors Follow?

There’s never been any doubt that Apple Pay is here to stay. The mobile payment service has built up a network of more than 220,000 merchant locations across the country, and that number is expected to continue rising. But now franchises have the opportunity to work with Apple Pay instead of simply offering it in their stores or restaurants.

According to an article in Mobile Payments Today, Kohl’s is putting its credit card on Apple Pay, giving its customers a chance to earn loyalty rewards while using the mobile payment system. The retailer is currently rolling out the new payment option in 250 stores, with a nationwide release expected by the end of the month. That means Kohl’s will be the first retailer to offer a one-tap checkout method that includes its own credit card and loyalty program.

“We are continuing to innovate in mobile to provide an easy, seamless shopping experience whether it’s our mobile payment offerings, the features and functionality on Kohl’s mobile app or the Kohls.com experience on smartphones and tablets,” said Ratnakar Lavu, Kohl’s CTO.

In addition to linking Apple pay with its customer loyalty program, Kohl’s is also working to boost its mobile presence as a whole by overhauling its website and app to make them easier to use on smartphones. So far, the brand’s app has been downloaded more than 12 million times.

While Kohl’s will be the first retailer to integrate Apple Pay with its loyalty program, it won’t be the last. Considering major banks and restaurant chains have already embraced Apple’s mobile payment system, it’s only a matter of time before the rest of the franchising industry takes note.