Auntie Anne's hits the pavement with food trucks

The pretzel chain has built a fleet of two dozen trucks since 2013 and even more street-side carts and standalone shops in a quest to find customers where they are.

By Kristine Sherred • Nov. 28, 2018

Abuelo's CMO dishes on social influencers and scooping up the growing Gen Z market

The Tex-Mex chain's Renae Scott discusses influencer marketing's challenges and opportunities and what success looks like to the company.

By Jacqueline Renfrow • Nov. 28, 2018

Hardee's urges Tinder users to 'swipe right' for chicken tender offer

As the chain sets a marketing path separate from sibling brand Carl's Jr., it is also leaning on celebrities in new ads focused on the quality of its food.

By Erica Sweeney • Nov. 27, 2018

Relive the year's 6 biggest brand fails — they carry important lessons for marketers

From Cambridge Analytica to Papa John's founder fallout, corporate missteps captured public attention and heaps of criticism in a year when the lines between brand and politics continued to blur.

By Peter Adams • Nov. 26, 2018

Taco Bell (sort of) resurrects London's Big Ben with distinctive, branded chime

The famous tower has been under construction and silent for more than a year, giving the marketer an opportunity to promote four new locations in the city. 

By Erica Sweeney • Nov. 21, 2018

Chili's taps into online pop-up trend with limited Cyber Monday merch

The brand's team of designers shared sneak peeks of the gear on social media, including a T-shirt inspired by a popular episode of "The Office."

By Erica Sweeney • Nov. 21, 2018

Cafe cooking with cannabis oil to open in UK next month

The Canna Kitchen will serve seasonal vegetarian dishes topped or laced with the non-psychoactive compounds found in the marijuana plant.

By Kristine Sherred • Nov. 20, 2018

Papa Murphy's bakes 'thumb-stopping' cues into 100 pieces of social creative

The "Bake It Up a Notch" campaign racked up 1.2 million organic impressions and surpassed benchmarks on Twitter by 29 times.

By Robert Williams • Nov. 20, 2018

Burger King hijacks Black Friday ads to give away free Whoppers

The fast-food chain debuted Whopper-Shopper.com, a site featuring banner ads from other brands and rewards shoppers who click on the ads and make purchases.

By Erica Sweeney • Nov. 16, 2018

KFC steps into streetwear with collection from famed Japanese designer Nigo

Gear for the "fashionable, finger lickin' hypebeasts of the world" will be available at a New York pop-up on Nov. 16.

By Erica Sweeney • Nov. 15, 2018

Will selling hot sauce online broaden Dos Toros' reach?

The New York City-based chain will sell the products on its website as competition with rivals Del Taco, Moe's and Chipotle intensifies. 

By Kristine Sherred • Nov. 12, 2018

Moe's invests in store remodels, street-style menu items

After years of steady growth, the chain is turning to its Southwestern roots for menu inspiration and a more sophisticated in-store experience.

By Kristine Sherred • Nov. 12, 2018

How restaurant CMOs are adapting to emerging tech, media channels

To stay competitive in an age of hyper-convenience, savvy customers and social media dominance, these executives marry marketing with IT.

By Alicia Kelso • Nov. 12, 2018

Party mas: Taco Bell is taking event reservations

Following success at its Las Vegas Cantina the chain is testing party reservations for $25 — complete with taco-themed decorations.     

By Kristine Sherred • Nov. 9, 2018

Papa John's 'Voices' campaign helps shift brand perception

Following efforts to use storytelling to put a more relatable face on the company, consumer sentiment moved from negative to neutral or positive.

By Erica Sweeney • Nov. 8, 2018

Carl's Jr. catches 'Famous Stars' for multichannel influencer campaign

The fast food brand is teaming up with Australian comedian and Instagram star Celeste Barber on the new "Famous Stars, Eating Famous Stars" spots.

By Erica Sweeney • Nov. 5, 2018

El Pollo Loco's rebrand will focus on Hispanic consumers, delivery

The California-based Mexican quick-service chain wants to build on a new logo and store design, focusing on its made-in-house ingredients and family dinners.   

By Kristine Sherred • Nov. 5, 2018

Private equity suitors reportedly wooing Papa John's

Anonymous sources told Reuters that binding offers for the world's third-largest pizza chain are expected in the next few weeks. 

By Alicia Kelso • Nov. 1, 2018

Jack in the Box franchisees ask for board seat, marketing audit

Less than a month after the fast food chain's franchisee association called on CEO Lenny Comma to step down, the group is now pushing for a "solutions-focused meeting" to rein in declining transactions.

By Alicia Kelso • Oct. 31, 2018

BrewDog Airlines offers group travel experience for craft brewer's fans

The trip from London includes BrewDog-inspired dining, Cicerone-trained cabin staff, canned cocktails from its spirits arm LoneWolf and a visit to its new brewery in Columbus, Ohio. 

By Erica Sweeney • Oct. 31, 2018

Pizza Hut unveils robotic delivery truck that bakes pizzas en route

The chain partnered with Toyota to create the PIE Pro prototype, which cooks pies in seven minutes and could help trim delivery times and broaden its footprint in the competitive space.  

By Kristine Sherred • Oct. 31, 2018

IHOP gets in the holiday spirit with Grinch-inspired menu, ads

The pancake chain's limited-time offerings include green pancakes, green whipped cream-topped hot chocolate and a "roast beast" omelet.  

By Erica Sweeney • Oct. 30, 2018

More than 80% of diners choose restaurants that respond to online reviews

Three out of four consumers believe those responses should be personalized, pressuring businesses to hone their brand voice and be vigilant about managing internet reputations.

By Kristine Sherred • Oct. 29, 2018

Starbucks can't quit its specialty Frappuccinos, despite sliding sales

The coffee chain rolled out a Halloween-themed blended drink for the fourth year in a row, though sales for the category were down 3% in May.

By Alicia Kelso • Oct. 26, 2018

Dunkin' launches revamped espresso to check premium rivals

The chain is betting upscale machinery, trained staff and its recent branding change will lure younger consumers away from Starbucks and other higher-priced competitors.

By Kristine Sherred • Oct. 25, 2018