Get your slice of the pie

As we enter year three of the pandemic, restaurants are still experimenting with the perfect recipe for boosting customer traffic and profits. Yet one subsection of the industry made it through these tumultuous years largely unscathed: pizzerias.

April 4, 2022

Wendy's opens metaverse restaurant in Horizon Worlds

Teaming with the QSR chain is a major play by Meta to achieve its vision for connecting brands and consumers on a platform it sees as a top priority.

By Chris Kelly • March 31, 2022

Pizza Hut rides 'struggle bus' with experiential push

After a stop at the Final Four, the bus will support college students during exams and host a special episode of Betches dating podcast "U UP?"

By Chris Kelly • March 30, 2022

4 ways data is helping restaurants reinvent themselves in 2022

The value of building long-term relationships with diners can be the difference between meaningful growth or a struggling business, writes Dan Silver, SVP of marketing at GroundTruth.

By Dan Silver • March 28, 2022

Dunkin' CMO departs after 9 months

While Rafael Acevedo's tenure was short, changes overseen by the executive — including naming Anomaly creative AOR — could carry a lasting impact.

By Peter Adams • March 28, 2022

Dos Toros faces class action suit over 'humanely raised' meat claims

The complaint alleges Dos Toros' pork and chicken suppliers raise animals in facilities without outdoor access, despite the chain's claims to the contrary.

By Alicia Kelso • March 28, 2022

8 restaurant marketing tactics to try in 2022

Modern restaurant marketing entails a lot more than creating ads or maintaining a social media page. It requires restaurants to leave their comfort zones, test new tactics and measure what moves the needle. 

March 28, 2022

Burger King serves up poop emoji ice cream to highlight clean ingredients

From the agency that made waves — and upset stomachs — with the Moldy Whopper comes another controversial campaign around the QSR's removal of artificial ingredients.

By Chris Kelly • March 25, 2022

4 strategies to beat QSR's biggest reward challenges

A rewards program can help make sense of customer characteristics that are considerably variable, writes Jenn McMillen, founder of Incendio.

By Jenn McMillen • March 25, 2022

CKE launches loyalty program across Hardee's, Carl's Jr.

Customers who sign up for the rewards offering will receive free sandwiches and other perks as loyalty competition intensifies in the fast food space. 

By Aneurin Canham-Clyne • March 23, 2022

Arby's CMO dishes on Pusha T diss track

To launch a spicy fish sandwich, the QSR tapped the rapper to take shots at McDonald's and the Filet-O-Fish.

By Chris Kelly • March 23, 2022

McDonald's brings back Szechuan Sauce as mobile app exclusive

Promotions behind the cult-favorite condiment focus on mobile, including via SMS conversations with "the person who runs the McDonald's account."

By Peter Adams • March 21, 2022

How podcasts are helping brands meet DEI commitments

Multicultural podcast agency Pod Digital Media recently inked an eight-figure deal with McDonald's as the brand invests in diverse media.

By Chris Kelly • March 21, 2022

Chili's opens e-commerce shop to celebrate 47th birthday

The chain is beefing up a channel overlooked by full-service restaurants to engage fans who follow the brand on Instagram and have its rewards app.

By Chris Kelly • March 11, 2022

How QSR marketers are riding the plant-based food wave

Marketing plant-based foods, whether made in-house or with industry partners, comes with its own challenges as chains stay true to their brands.

By Chris Kelly • March 8, 2022

Jack in the Box trolls McDonald's over broken ice cream machines

The first effort from the QSR's new public relations and integrated campaigns agency of record uses competitive sparring tactics to tap into culture.

By Chris Kelly • March 3, 2022

Denny's refreshes 24/7 heritage with help of diverse TikTok stars

A new brand platform targets younger diners through influencer menu collaborations positioned as different from common "hacks" in the QSR category.

By Peter Adams • March 1, 2022

Taco Bell's subscription service increased rewards members by 20%

Taco Lover's Pass subscribers visit three times more often than non-members and close to half of transactions included more than one taco.

By Alicia Kelso • Feb. 23, 2022

Qdoba announces two-tiered loyalty program

The Mexican chain's revamped rewards offering lets customers earn one point for every dollar spent, and 125 points earns a free entree.

By Aneurin Canham-Clyne • Feb. 18, 2022

KFC selects MullenLowe as AOR to complete marketing makeover

Wieden + Kennedy had handled the QSR's creative account since 2015.

By Chris Kelly • Feb. 15, 2022

Applebee's CMO on embracing everything from '80s nostalgia to metaverse buzz

Joel Yashinsky details how authenticity is at the heart of a new campaign that focuses on regulars and follows a viral hit song that mentions the brand.

By Chris Kelly • Feb. 14, 2022

Burger King puts creative, media accounts into review as RBI reshape continues

Sister brands Popeyes and Tim Hortons are also looking for a new media agency in the U.S.

By Chris Kelly • Feb. 7, 2022

The case for a more modern approach to restaurant marketing materials

While traditional printing and shipping processes may pose challenges, a modern approach to restaurant marketing material production can help save time and money.

Feb. 7, 2022

Shake Shack hooks up with DoorDash for chicken sandwich-themed dating site

The brands are linking to help spicy food lovers "eat cute" in time for Valentine's Day with an effort that could generate valuable first-party data.

By Chris Kelly • Feb. 3, 2022

McDonald's enlists fashion designer for Lunar New Year celebration in metaverse

An interactive virtual space displays towering zodiac sculptures by Humberto Leon in the latest sign the chain is committed to exploring the tech frontier.

By Peter Adams • Jan. 31, 2022