The mechanic
Every influencer gets a unique promo code, NOURA, RASHID, whatever. The code does two things: unlocks a small perk for the customer (free drink, 10% off first order) and permanently tags that customer to the influencer in your database.
From that point forward, every purchase that customer makes, for weeks, months, years, is attributed to the influencer.
Payout structures
Two models work: flat fee per new signup ($2-10 depending on market), or revenue share on that customer's future spend (8-15% is the typical range). Revenue share is what makes the channel durable, influencers keep promoting because they keep earning.
Monthly payouts, visible dashboard, clear ledger. The operators who ran this model for years report it as their most cost-effective acquisition channel.
What it takes to run one
Code generation, per-code attribution in the POS or app, a payout ledger, and monthly reconciliation. Habitu handles the first three natively. The fourth, sending the money, is manual unless you plumb it into a payout provider.