Arby's flips viral TikTok videos into special menu item

Inspiration for the campaign stems from a video of a user saying his new flat-screen TV only displayed a message from Arby's.

By Robert Williams • Nov. 9, 2020

Starbucks brews buzz for mobile ordering in new holiday campaign

With the tagline "Festive is a tap away, download the app today," the effort touts mobile ordering as the pandemic dissuades people from lingering in coffee houses.

By Robert Williams • Nov. 5, 2020

Wendy's turns drive-thru into spooky Halloween experience

For people not near the Los Angeles "scare-thru," the chain is running a coupon effort on Twitter to ramp up usage of its app and loyalty program.

By Aaron Baar • Oct. 30, 2020

Chipotle lets diners track environmental impact of burritos as restaurants prioritize sustainability

The Real Foodprint tracker, which mirrors a recent move by Panera to label eco-conscious menu items, is explained by Bill Nye in TikTok videos.

By Peter Adams • Oct. 26, 2020

CMOs must decipher pandemic-related consumer behavior changes, Dentsu survey finds

Prepared CMOs were already shifting to digital and e-commerce channels, which are now table stakes for restaurants, evidenced by the dramatic growth of digital sales at chains like Chipotle.

By Chris Kelly • Oct. 21, 2020

Wendy's coupon gets more valuable with each retweet

The coupon on Twitter was retweeted 10.8K times, translating to customers receiving 30% off a breakfast order on the Uber Eats app through Friday morning.

By Robert Williams • Updated Oct. 14, 2020

Yelp adds alerts for businesses accused of racism

The company's notification system was introduced in response to a surge of media-fueled reviews over the past few months warning users of businesses' alleged racist conduct. 

By Alicia Kelso • Oct. 9, 2020

McDonald's continues celebrity menus with reggaeton's J Balvin

With drive-thru, digital and delivery businesses bright spots during an otherwise tough period, the chain further targets young, digitally savvy diners.

By Aaron Baar • Oct. 6, 2020

S.Pellegrino swaps signature dishes between NY, LA restaurants

The Nestlé brand is giving residents of both cities a chance to sample food from restaurants on the opposite coast as the pandemic continues to scuttle travel plans.

By Robert Williams • Oct. 5, 2020

McDonald's is running out of its Spicy Chicken McNuggets

The offering is the chain's second promotion in less than a month to experience shortages, following the popularity of the Travis Scott Meal in early September. 

By Alicia Kelso • Oct. 1, 2020

Taco Bell sets up personalized taco gifting service ahead of holiday rush

Available through Taco Bell's website and app, the feature will be permanent, showing the chain's continued bets on loyalty innovations.

By Peter Adams • Oct. 1, 2020

SevenRooms integrates its waitlist product with Google's Reserve

Guests can add themselves to a waitlist online from home via the restaurant's chosen channels, where they can view real-time estimates.

By Alicia Kelso • Sept. 30, 2020

Nearly half of consumers will try new brands if the ad is relevant, study shows

Before diverting marketing dollars to video-based social media — as Chipotle has done with its successful TikTok campaigns — marketers need to remember that context matters more than ever, according to a DoubleVerify study.

By Aaron Baar • Sept. 29, 2020

Resy, AmEx will bring a fine dining 'drive-thru' experience to Los Angeles

Diners can enter the Hollywood Palladium via car Oct. 15 and Oct. 16, where they will be assigned a designated waiter who will guide them from "restaurant" to "restaurant" to serve guests a 10-course meal through their car windows.

By Alicia Kelso • Sept. 23, 2020

Burger King puts Whopper recipe on wrappers as part of 'real food' push

Following efforts centered on moldy burgers and cow farts, the QSR is trying a simple and direct approach to market its "clean food" menu.

By Robert Williams • Sept. 18, 2020

McDonald's app offers mock insurance to drive trial of new spicy McNuggets

The promotion that includes a 40-minute Instagram video of Anthony "Spice" Adams reflects the chain's focus on drive-thru, delivery and digital as it ramps up marketing spend.

By Robert Williams • Sept. 16, 2020

White Castle launches first systemwide loyalty program

The burger chain accelerated its plans to roll out a rewards program to provide more contactless services and grow its digital footprint, White Castle Vice President Jamie Richardson said. 

By Emma Liem Beckett • Sept. 10, 2020

Chipotle employs TikTok creator cohort to promote group-ordering app feature

As TikTok users join up to form creator houses, Chipotle is early to a trend that reflects its own efforts to target wannabe brand ambassadors.

By Peter Adams • Sept. 8, 2020

Buffalo Wild Wings sells season passes to feed and entertain NFL fans

The chain returns to experiential marketing with an effort to appeal to customers who are eager to return to normal activities and those who are sticking close to home.

By Tatiana Walk-Morris • Sept. 4, 2020

Uber Eats unveils first ad format with sponsored restaurant listings

To encourage restaurants to test the new format, Uber Eats is offering $25 million in marketing credits to small and medium-size businesses.

By Robert Williams • Aug. 31, 2020

How El Pollo Loco tripled digital sales in 2020 by modernizing its marketing

CEO Bernard Acoca explained how the restaurant brand revitalized its marketing after spending 98% of its media budget on TV and print just a few years ago.

By Chris Kelly • Aug. 27, 2020

McDonald's goes toe-to-toe with Wendy's with its spicy McNuggets LTO

The chain will launch the item Sept. 16, about a year after Wendy's brought its spicy nuggets back, which is boosting same-store sales. 

By Emma Liem Beckett • Aug. 27, 2020

KFC drops 'Finger Lickin'' slogan around the globe as hygiene concerns persist

Deeming the 64-year-old catchphrase inappropriate during the pandemic, the brand is expanding a pause as part of its first global campaign.

By Peter Adams • Aug. 25, 2020

Popeyes looks to end year early with Times Square countdown celebrating chicken sandwich

As the mega-popular menu item celebrates its one-year anniversary, the brand is hosting a mock New Year's eve event in August.  

By Dianna Christie • Aug. 19, 2020

Buffalo Wild Wings names Target brand manager as new marketing chief

Rita Patel steps into the role as the largest sports bar brand in the U.S. faces uncertainty around restaurant reopenings and the fall sports season.

By Peter Adams • Aug. 11, 2020