Marketing
-
Courtesy of Momofuku
Deep DiveFrom restaurant to retail: How Michelin-starred brands are infiltrating the grocery store
The channel provides establishments such as Momofuku and Carbone with new revenue streams and an opportunity to connect more consumers.
By Chris Casey • Dec. 20, 2024 -
Joel Carillet via Getty Images
Restaurant gift card sales up 17% during Thanksgiving weekend: report
In addition to gift card sales growth, Patronix reported an uptick in in-store purchases versus digital compared to the same period last year.
By Julie Littman • Dec. 20, 2024 -
Neal McNeil via Getty Images
FTC excludes restaurants from junk fee rule
In another regulatory victory for restaurants, the Federal Trade Commission backtracked on including restaurant fees in its price transparency rule.
By Aneurin Canham-Clyne • Dec. 19, 2024 -
Courtesy of Taco Bell
Taco Bell adds chicken nuggets to menu
The nationwide rollout, which will happen Thursday, follows successful regional market tests in Minneapolis and Houston.
By Aneurin Canham-Clyne • Dec. 18, 2024 -
Courtesy of P.F. Chang's
P.F. Chang’s finds new CMO in Ticketmaster, PepsiCo marketer
Sonika Patel is tasked with providing strategic vision and execution across all brand and digital marketing touchpoints for the casual dining chain.
By Chris Kelly • Dec. 17, 2024 -
Courtesy of Papa Johns
Why Todd Penegor wants Papa Johns to make more pizzas
Menu innovation may drive customer trial, but that doesn’t strengthen the brand’s core appeal, the chain’s CEO said during an investor event.
By Aneurin Canham-Clyne • Dec. 12, 2024 -
Permission granted by 7 Brew
7 Brew hires KFC vet as first CMO
Nick Chavez joins the fast-growing brand after three years at KFC U.S. and will help with restaurant launches and expand the coffee chain’s loyalty program.
By Julie Littman • Dec. 11, 2024 -
Permission granted by Yelp
Yelp enhances platform with more personalized home feeds
The review platform added over 20 features, such as AI-powered review insights and enhancements to its business product suite.
By Julie Littman • Dec. 10, 2024 -
Courtesy of Smashburger
Smashburger’s CMO on righting the brand’s course with a new visual identity
New chief marketer Thomas Prather says the fast casual chain was “adrift” after adjustments made during the pandemic period.
By Chris Kelly • Dec. 9, 2024 -
Permission granted by Taco Bell Corp.
Taco Bell’s drive-thru cameras give diners a shot at Super Bowl cameos
Rewards members who stop by the touring camera stations to snap a pic have a chance to be featured in the brand’s big game ad.
By Peter Adams • Dec. 3, 2024 -
Courtesy of Maggiano's Little Italy
Maggiano’s appoints KFC exec to marketing role
Mike Wesley, who spent 14 years in marketing positions at the fried chicken brand, will help the casual chain amplify brand awareness and drive marketing and promotional activities.
By Julie Littman • Dec. 2, 2024 -
Permission granted by GoTo Foods
GoTo Foods names former IHOP exec as chief commercial officer
Kieran Donahue will oversee various aspects of the commercial division, including marketing, branding and consumer insights and analytics.
By Julie Littman • Nov. 19, 2024 -
Courtesy of Peet's Coffee
Deep DiveHow do coffee chains design, market and analyze their seasonal LTOs?
While flexibility is important, many brands plan coffee LTOs more than a year in advance, meaning next year’s holiday drinks are already in the works at places like Peet’s and Dutch Bros.
By Aneurin Canham-Clyne • Nov. 19, 2024 -
Courtesy of Doodles
McDonald’s holiday cups entertain with Doodles content, digital collectibles
The fast food giant is collaborating with a Web3-fueled entertainment brand that CMO Tariq Hassan calls “an agent of change in the cultural landscape.”
By Chris Kelly • Nov. 15, 2024 -
Scott Olson via Getty Images
Chipotle defrauded investors with inconsistent meal sizes, says plaintiff seeking class action
The case is an example of securities lawsuits run amok, a directors and officers liability law specialist says.
By Robert Freedman • Nov. 14, 2024 -
Courtesy of Cava
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 Aneurin Canham-Clyne • Nov. 13, 2024 -
Courtesy of Church's Texas Chicken
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 Aneurin Canham-Clyne • Nov. 13, 2024 -
Courtesy of Taco Bell
ColumnCampaign 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 -
iStock | linzyslusher
Sponsored by GivexCustomer 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 -
Courtesy of Papa Johns
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 -
Permission granted by Cracker Barrel
Q&ACracker 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 -
Courtesy of Dine Brands
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 Aneurin Canham-Clyne • Nov. 6, 2024 -
Justin Sullivan via Getty Images
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 Aneurin Canham-Clyne • Nov. 5, 2024 -
Courtesy of Starbucks
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 Aneurin Canham-Clyne • Oct. 31, 2024 -
Brandon Bell via Getty Images
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 Aneurin Canham-Clyne • Oct. 31, 2024
