Shutterstock
Southlake Open Rewards returns for its third year on Feb. 1, offering shoppers 5% cash back at participating local businesses across the city.
The city-backed program, presented to City Council on Jan. 6 by economic development and tourism specialist Dylan Duque, was created to encourage residents and visitors to shop, dine and explore Southlake businesses.
“We love seeing how Open Rewards brings people out to experience Southlake,” said Director Daniel Cortez. “It’s a simple way to celebrate what makes our community special while giving back to the people who support it.”
Since its launch in January 2023, Southlake Open Rewards has generated an estimated $3.5 million in economic impact. The program offers users 5% cash back on qualifying purchases made at participating dining, retail, and entertainment businesses, redeemed through the Open Rewards mobile app.
This year’s program will include 365 participating businesses and will run through late spring, or until the city’s $100,000 reward allocation has been fully claimed. While slightly fewer businesses than last year’s total of 390, participation still spans a wide mix of retail shops, restaurants and entertainment venues throughout the city.
One notable takeaway from the program’s second year was its growing regional reach. In 2024, 96% of rewards were claimed by Southlake residents. In 2025, that number dropped to 49%, signaling increased participation from non-residents — a metric gathered from users who opted into location sharing. City officials see that shift as a positive sign that the program is attracting visitors to shop and dine locally.
For 2026, Open Rewards introduces a new point-based tracking system within the app. Rewards are now displayed as points, with 100 points equaling $1. For example, 500 points reflects $5 in cash back. While the display has changed, the benefit has not: users still earn the same 5% cash back on qualifying purchases, with dollar values clearly shown alongside points for easy reference.
Getting started is simple. Users can download the Open Rewards app from the Apple App Store or Google Play, select Southlake as their community, and upload receipts from participating businesses to earn rewards. Cash-back payouts are available through user-selected payment methods.
As Open Rewards enters its third year, the city hopes the program will continue to support local businesses while giving shoppers an incentive to keep their spending close to home.