Marketing

  • Wooden seats and tables inside a Cava. In the background there is a make line with digital menu boards.
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    Courtesy of Cava
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    Cava’s winning comp sales streak continued in Q3

    Cava is the clear leader of the Mediterranean fast casual segment, and has had one of the strongest 2024s of any major brand.

    By • Nov. 13, 2024
  • An overhead view of fried chicken and sides.
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    Courtesy of Church's Texas Chicken
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    KFC sues Church’s Texas Chicken over ‘original recipe’ ads

    KFC claims Church’s use of the marketing phrase will deceive customers into thinking they are buying items from KFC.

    By • Nov. 13, 2024
  • A group of people around a dining room table in a Taco Bell ad
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    Courtesy of Taco Bell
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    Column

    Campaign Trail: Taco Bell takes on ‘Big Chicken’ through family debates

    Fans of the chain’s Cantina Chicken menu are pitted against “trachickenalists” in ads that pitch the QSR as a chicken destination like KFC and Chick-fil-A.

    By Chris Kelly • Nov. 11, 2024
  • Server presenting a tray of desserts to a seated couple in a restaurant.
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    iStock | linzyslusher

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    Sponsored by Givex

    Customer retention relies on what you bring to the table

    Serve up the best strategy for loyalty: Bring guests back with a tailored loyalty program.

    Nov. 11, 2024
  • An image of Papa Johns sign on a store
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    Courtesy of Papa Johns
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    Papa Johns names new CMO to elevate data-driven creativity

    Jenna Bromberg, previously director of core marketing at Pizza Hut, joins Papa Johns as it works to improve perceptions around value and loyalty experiences.

    By Peter Adams • Nov. 7, 2024
  • Country fried turkey sits on a table in a Cracker Barrel ad
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    Permission granted by Cracker Barrel
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    Q&A

    Cracker Barrel’s new CMO on reconnecting a heritage brand to culture

    Sarah Moore discussed changing Cracker Barrel’s approach to partnerships and prioritizing apps like TikTok to keep a finger on the consumer pulse.

    By Peter Adams • Nov. 7, 2024
  • A rendering of a restaurant that is both an Applebee's and an IHOP
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    Courtesy of Dine Brands
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    Dine Brands wants to open a dozen IHOP-Applebee’s units in the US next year

    While the eye-catching new units promise greater profits, they can’t solve the sales pressure that both brands currently face.

    By • Nov. 6, 2024
  • Pedestrians walk by a KFC and a Taco Bell restaurant on July 2, 2014 in San Rafael, California.
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    Justin Sullivan via Getty Images
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    Taco Bell is a winner and KFC a loser in Yum Brands’ Q3

    KFC’s value meal did not turn its same-store sales declines around, but Taco Bell’s mix of menu innovation and value messaging drove growth for the company.

    By • Nov. 5, 2024
  • A Starbucks worker holds a beverage.
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    Courtesy of Starbucks
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    Starbucks to eliminate non-dairy milk upcharge, hold prices steady

    The coffee giant will move towards greater price transparency on customized drinks while cutting back on ineffective discounts, CEO Brian Niccol said.

    By • Oct. 31, 2024
  • An exterior image of a Shake Shack restaurant
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    Brandon Bell via Getty Images
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    Shake Shack to launch loyalty program in 2025

     A rewards program will be a long-term sales driver, but it will not likely impact 2025 performance at the fast casual chain.

    By • Oct. 31, 2024
  • Three versions of Subway's value meal, each consisting of a six-inch sub, small drink and sides.
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    Courtesy of Subway
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    Subway adds $6.99 meal deal through year’s end

    The monthslong discount signals a shift towards greater value emphasis for the chain, which has stayed largely aloof from 2024’s QSR price wars.

    By • Oct. 29, 2024
  • A large Zaxbys chicken finger pack. Many chicken fingers, pieces of toast and fries in a box.
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    Courtesy of Zaxbys
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    Zaxbys raises 4 dishes from LTO to permanent status

    As the chicken chain looks to accelerate national growth, new menu items could play a pivotal role in driving sales.

    By • Oct. 28, 2024
  • A white building with shinges and a logo of a red lobster
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    Brandon Bell via Getty Images
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    Red Lobster names new CMO

    Nichole Robillard, who recently led a rebrand for Smokey Bones, was praised for her ability to blend creative and operational expertise.

    By Peter Adams • Oct. 24, 2024
  • Follow along with the animated adventures of the Chick-fil-A Cows, Carrots, Sarge & Daisy
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    Courtesy of Chick-fil-A
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    Chick-fil-A targets families with entertainment-focused mobile app

    The free app will launch Nov. 18 and include podcasts, games, interactive stories and original animated shows like “Legends of Evergreen Hills.” 

    By Aaron Baar • Oct. 24, 2024
  • An image of a Jollibee double drive-thru in Orlando.
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    Courtesy of Jollibee
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    Jollibee launches first loyalty program

    Members will gain access to exclusive deals and product news as well as give feedback on new menu items.

    By • Oct. 22, 2024
  • A Starbucks store stands in Manhattan on January 30, 2024 in New York City.
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    Spencer Platt via Getty Images
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    Starbucks appoints ex-Chipotle exec as first global chief brand officer

    Tressie Lieberman joins the coffee chain as part of new CEO Brian Niccol’s marketing overhaul, which also includes a recent agency appointment.

    By Chris Kelly • Oct. 21, 2024
  • Michael Montagano, Dog Haus' CEO, and Jake Paul in front of a Dog Haus restaurant at night. Montagano wears slacks and a sport coat, Paul wears cargo shorts and a t-shirt.
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    Courtesy of Dog Haus
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    Dog Haus signs 25-unit franchise deal with boxer Jake Paul

    The controversial YouTuber will join the company’s board and bring his star power to the brand as it looks to juice sales.

    By • Oct. 17, 2024
  • TV personality Simon Cowell, wearing a black T-shirt, sits behind a metal kitchen counter with Domino's branding
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    Permission granted by Domino's Pizza
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    Domino’s promotes brand chief to CMO to sharpen global strategy

    Kate Trumbull, who helped revamp the chain’s loyalty program, is tasked with scaling its Hungry for MORE initiative to international markets.

    By Peter Adams • Oct. 17, 2024
  • Starbucks-Labor Unions
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    (Photo by Scott Olson) via Getty Images
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    Starbucks hands US creative duties to WPP amid turnaround push

    The agency network is forming a bespoke unit for the chain that is trying to reclaim its status as a premium brand and community coffeehouse.

    By Peter Adams • Oct. 16, 2024
  • KFC's ad campaign for its new chicken tenders is a "battle cry" to fast-food competitors.
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    Courtesy of KFC
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    KFC is battle-ready in satirical campaign for chicken tenders debut

    The fried-chicken chain playfully nods to competitors like Popeyes in a campaign depicting a chicken tenders war.

    By Jessica Deyo • Oct. 15, 2024
  • A person in a PSL hat sits at a table pouring something into a glass.
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    Courtesy of Starbucks
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    Looking to replace pumpkin spice? Stop looking.

    One day there may be another innovative product that hits the cultural zeitgeist, but even then experts say the fall favorite is here to stay.

    By Cara Salpini • Oct. 14, 2024
  • A couple looks at food delivery packaging on the left. On the right a mobile app displays generic branding and discounts for a restaurant.
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    Courtesy of Toast
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    Toast adds branded apps and text marketing

    The company said its new features can help restaurants drive traffic and frequency, and that apps are more effective than websites.

    By • Oct. 8, 2024
  • Del Taco items against a white background.
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    Courtesy of Del Taco
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    Del Taco rolls out meal combos starting at $4.49

    The Mexican QSR chain’s new combo meals could help improve consumer value perceptions as 2024’s discount wars continue.

    By • Oct. 4, 2024
  • DoorDash Ads Manager images
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    Courtesy of DoorDash
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    Chipotle, Sweetgreen leverage DoorDash’s new ad platform for restaurants

    The delivery aggregator also added offsite capabilities and sponsored brand placements for CPG brands as delivery providers race to improve ad offerings.

    By Chris Kelly • Oct. 4, 2024
  • An image of a chicken big mac sold by a McDonald's duplicate set up by the chain to promote the sandwich
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    Courtesy of McDonald's
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    McDonald’s takes Chicken Big Mac national

    The sandwich, which is available starting Oct. 10 while supplies last, could help the chain recover traffic and sales. It swaps the Big Mac’s beef patties for tempura-coated chicken.

    By • Oct. 3, 2024