Marketing
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Courtesy of Dog Haus
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 Aneurin Canham-Clyne • Oct. 17, 2024 -
Permission granted by Domino's Pizza
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 -
(Photo by Scott Olson) via Getty Images
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 -
Courtesy of KFC
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 -
Courtesy of Starbucks
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 -
Courtesy of Toast
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 Aneurin Canham-Clyne • Oct. 8, 2024 -
Courtesy of Del Taco
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 Aneurin Canham-Clyne • Oct. 4, 2024 -
Courtesy of DoorDash
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 -
Courtesy of McDonald's
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 Aneurin Canham-Clyne • Oct. 3, 2024 -
Retrieved from Shake Shack on October 01, 2024
Shake Shack touts premium ingredients in multichannel ‘Worth It’ ads
Commercials that leverage slow-motion footage and a voice-over about how the chain lives up to the hype arrive as competitors focus on affordability.
By Jessica Deyo • Oct. 1, 2024 -
Courtesy of Sonic
Sonic Drive-In switches up its $1.99 value menu
The QSR chain, which added its permanent value menu in July, added Cream Slushes and Grilled Cheese Burgers as competition around affordability grows.
By Aneurin Canham-Clyne • Sept. 30, 2024 -
Courtesy of Firehouse Subs
Firehouse Subs brings back fan-favorite Hot Sauce Bar with new campaign
The RBI-owned sandwich chain debuted its first major effort since adopting a multi-agency roster model to handle its marketing earlier this year.
By Aaron Baar • Sept. 26, 2024 -
Permission granted by Handel's Ice Cream
Handel’s Ice Cream scoops up Wetzel’s Pretzels exec as CMO
Hillary Frei joins the chain as it accelerates growth in new markets and expands within existing trade areas.
By Julie Littman • Sept. 25, 2024 -
Michael M. Santiago via Getty Images
DoorDash, Uber Eats win NYC customer data court battle
New York City’s rule requiring delivery apps to give restaurants consumer information violates the First Amendment, a judge found Tuesday.
By Aneurin Canham-Clyne • Sept. 25, 2024 -
Courtesy of Qdoba
Qdoba looks to own National Queso Day on its way to national expansion
New menu item Queso Apocalypto reflects the popularity of spicy foods and arrives as the chain ramps up marketing to Gen Z and adds locations.
By Aaron Baar • Sept. 24, 2024 -
Courtesy of Chili's Grill & Bar
Chili’s challenges Joey Chestnut to an eating contest on X
The restaurant chain is leaning into the embattled platform to debut the 3 For Lunch Combo meal and assert its value proposition over fast food competitors.
By Aaron Baar • Sept. 19, 2024 -
Courtesy of White Castle
White Castle pivots to gamified, tiered rewards
The slider chain is looking to encourage specific consumer behaviors, like late-night visits or trialing new menu items, with “quests” across three loyalty levels.
By Aneurin Canham-Clyne • Sept. 19, 2024 -
Courtesy of Chipotle Mexican Grill
Chipotle plans digital scavenger hunt to dole out $1M in free quesadillas
As part of the effort, three TikTok creators will each drop a text-to-claim code in their content for up to 10,000 consumers to receive a BOGO offer.
By Jessica Deyo • Sept. 19, 2024 -
Courtesy of Smashburger
Smashburger remakes its menu and its brand
The chain launched the menu changes, including eight new dishes, after successful regional market testing.
By Aneurin Canham-Clyne • Sept. 17, 2024 -
Permission granted by PepsiCo Beverages North America
Pepsi chases pizza deliveries in a sports car to push pairing power
A stunt campaign boosts the brand's partnership with DoorDash that will dole out free pizza from Little Caesars, Papa Johns, Pizza Hut and Marco’s Pizza.
By Sara Karlovitch • Sept. 13, 2024 -
Courtesy of McDonald's
McDonald’s extends $5 meal deal in value push
The Golden Arches is also adding other value promotions as it looks to bounce back from weak comparable sales in Q2 and better compete with rival offerings.
By Aneurin Canham-Clyne • Sept. 12, 2024 -
Permission granted by Starbucks
Starbucks CEO’s 4-part strategy hinges on coffeehouse roots
In a letter to workers and consumers, Brian Niccol laid out a multipart strategy for revitalizing the chain’s core business in the U.S.
By Aneurin Canham-Clyne • Sept. 10, 2024 -
Permission granted by Chili's Grill & Bar
Q&AChili’s CMO on brand’s winning value message and evolving data strategy
Swipes at fast food competitors over rising prices, including through a retro video game, helped boost Chili’s same-stores sales by 14%.
By Peter Adams • Sept. 10, 2024 -
Courtesy of Chipotle
Deep DiveBrian Niccol was hired to transform Starbucks. Is that possible?
Niccol must contend with the coffee chain’s growing brand identity and consumer perception problems, and balance its “third place” value proposition with efficient digital fulfillment.
By Aneurin Canham-Clyne • Sept. 9, 2024 -
Courtesy of Applebee's
Q&AApplebee’s CMO on how brand’s NFL sponsorship feeds its new campaign
The casual dining chain will leverage its role as the official grill and bar of the NFL in ads and a content series starring league pros.
By Chris Kelly • Sept. 6, 2024
