Most of us get tired of brands asking for our phone numbers and email addresses because we’re spammed with too many advertisements. But sometimes, providing your contact information will connect you with a brand’s loyalty program, which can offer discounts, free prizes, and cash back. One in ten companies has a loyalty rewards program, so the team at Qualtrics decided to analyze which one gives you the biggest return on investment. They focused only on base-level, free-to-join programs that give customers rewards through regular shopping; that way, the results truly reflect the rewards you earn for the money you spend.

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In the food and beverage industry, Domino’s Pizza offers the best ROI. The team calculated an almost 33% ROI for Dominos, which is by far the best offer, even across industries. You’ll receive about $10 of free food for every $30 spent. McDonald’s isn’t far behind at an 11 to 20% ROI with the MyMcDonald’s Rewards app. You’ll earn 100 points for every dollar spent, and you can use these points to purchase menu items. Papa John’s, Dunkin’, Wendy’s, and Burger King also have strong programs, with ROIs between 10% and 13%. The fast-food industry offers some of the best loyalty programs, earning eight out of the ten best rewards programs on the list.

In the retail and beauty space, Bath & Body Works leads with a 16.5%–19% ROI through the My Bath & Body Works Rewards program. The program allows shoppers to redeem points earned through purchases for free items, early access to sales, and an annual birthday gift. Ulta Beauty’s Ultamate Rewards program offers a decent ROI, too, at 3% to 6% for items that are normally on the expensive side. Their competitor Sephora has a Beauty Insider program that offers a lower 2% ROI, but exclusive free samples and early access to new products supplement it.

Brand rewards are weaker among clothing retailers. H&M, Gap Inc., and American Eagle/Aerie offer a 1%–4% ROI. These programs are still useful for loyal shoppers who know they’ll buy from these brands repeatedly.

Pharmacy and grocery store rewards can be a great help for budget-savvy shoppers. These stores have lower ROIs but can still offer decent rewards. Walgreens’ program took the lead, offering 1% back on most purchases and 5% back on Walgreens’ brand products, resulting in significant savings on generics. CVS has an ExtraCare program with a higher 2% ROI and personalized coupons.

In the grocery sector, Kroger and Safeway/Albertsons offer the highest ROIs, between 1% and 3.5%. These chains also offer a fuel rewards program that can be an incredible budget-saving boon. Lowe’s and Ace Hardware offer 1%–2% rewards programs that may be most helpful to frequent shoppers and small business owners who need materials from these stores.

Outdoor lovers and athletes can earn powerful rewards through the North Face’s XPLR Pass, which offers a 10% ROI, and the Dick’s Sporting Goods ScoreCard program offers a 3.3% ROI. The findings on this chart can help you save big the next time you shop!

“Artificial intelligence” may be the biggest buzzword of 2026. It seems like every industry is incorporating AI into its practices, but it has had the biggest impact in the business sector. Nearly 80% of businesses use AI in some way. Qualtrics has quantified the massive impact AI has on business with a chart listing 25 key statistics that illustrate its influence. These statistics help us understand how and why businesses are using AI to reach the next level.

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Many of the statistics listed show why businesses are so drawn to AI. In 2025, three out of four companies used AI regularly for at least one task. 99% of Fortune 500 companies use AI in their hiring process to screen applicants for predicted success in a role. 83% of business professionals say they’re using AI to learn new skills to further their career. Perhaps the most compelling reason businesses turn to AI is their profits. Every dollar invested in generative AI yields an average return of $3.70. Businesses are embracing what they see as AI’s stronger performance and competitive edge.

There is no doubt that AI is profitable, as these figures show. 70% of companies report increased revenue that they attribute to generative AI. Supply chains use AI to streamline logistics, and on the marketing side of business, 42% report using AI for content generation. Customer service has seen a huge explosion in AI usage, almost a 2000% increase.

AI has strong momentum, with about 70,000 companies using it globally. U.S. private investment in AI is around $109.1 billion. 90% of the world’s AI models are the work of private industry rather than government-funded research or academia, highlighting that business not only uses AI but also fuels its creation.

Small businesses are a part of these statistics. 89% of small businesses use AI in their daily operations, often for financial management and customer service. 60% of small business owners say AI has improved their employees’ productivity. Executives and senior managers are the most avid users of AI, but use by interns and entry-level employees rises every year.

Here are a few other jaw-dropping statistics that show how enormous a presence AI has in the business industry:

• AI drives over 70% of venture capital activity.
• 92% of companies plan to invest more in AI within the next three years.
• 63% of businesses use AI to generate text-based content.
• The use of AI customer service agents has grown by 2,199% since January.
• The United States is home to 29,618 AI companies, which is more than any other country.

These statistics underscore that AI is becoming a regular part of everyday business practices. Companies often say they believe AI amplifies their employee’s natural talents. Whether used for strategy, customer service, or content generation, it seems AI is here to stay.

An article from LLC Attorney.com offers one of the most detailed, data-rich comparisons of how much major gig and marketplace platforms extract in fees from workers’ earnings versus how much the workers keep. This article goes beyond anecdotal evidence and offers practical insights alongside raw data. Every freelancer, business owner, and part-time gig worker should understand the information presented here so they can wisely choose where to sell their products and services.

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The article’s most important message is that platforms vary widely in how much they take from earnings. These differences can have a big impact on the workers’ bottom line. Here are some examples:

Rideshare Apps: Major platforms like Lyft and Uber typically take about 25% to 30% of passenger fares, and in some cases more for low-priced trips. Drivers do get to keep 100% of tips.

Delivery Services: Delivery gig earnings are reported as base pay plus tips. Workers receive the full tip amount, but pay varies by platform and market demands.

Creative Marketplaces: Platforms like Etsy charge a 6.5% transaction fee on their total sale price, plus a payment processing fee of around 3%. There are also optional advertising fees, so the total fee is about 10%. Poshmark takes 20% of sales over $15.

Pet Care Apps: Some pet care apps, like Rover, take about 20% of earnings in fees, while Wag takes a significantly higher portion, around 40%.

The article also discussed lodging and rental platforms. Hosts on Airbnb pay a 3% host service fee, plus a guest service fee of approximately 14% to 15%. Platforms like Vrbo and Booking.com have variable fee structures that usually land between 10% and 25%, depending on the model.

What makes this article especially useful is the visual chart, which lets you quickly peruse and compare dozens of apps. If a worker juggles multiple platforms, let’s say they’re a DoorDash delivery driver, have an Etsy shop, and flip items on Poshmark, they can compare all these platforms quickly and decide which are the most profitable. This is also crucial information to help people set prices effectively.

The article places these fees in the context of the gig economy boom. Millions of people supplement their income and build independent businesses using these apps. About 16.6% of side hustlers report delivery or ride-sharing gig work as their part-time side hustle, with an online shop and freelancing close behind. Recent surveys show that 70% of Americans earn extra cash through side gigs, often via the apps listed in the chart. Even so, many users underestimate the extent of platforms’ control over visibility, fees, and pricing.

Understanding each platform’s fee structures is integral to a financial platform. These fees and the pricing workers set can have a strong influence on whether a side hustle is profitable. The information presented here is a decision-making tool that combines clear, comparative data with important context to help side hustlers succeed in their ventures.