Marketing: Page 6

  • Image attribution tooltip
    Courtesy of Chipotle
    Image attribution tooltip

    These 4 restaurant companies totaled $50B in 2023 digital sales

    Yum, Restaurant Brands International, Wendy’s and Chipotle continue to invest in consumer-facing features including app enhancements, loyalty offerings and kiosks to grow their digital mixes.

    By • March 1, 2024
  • A Chuck E. Cheese sign.
    Image attribution tooltip
    Justin Sullivan via Getty Images
    Image attribution tooltip

    Chuck E. Cheese tests tiered subscription service in CA, AZ

    The membership, which will be trialed at 13 stores, offers customers free game play points and steep discounts on food and beverage options.

    By • Updated March 1, 2024
  • Wendy’s cups made with 20% ISCC-certified, recycled plastic (on a mass balance basis)
    Image attribution tooltip
    Permission granted by Berry Global
    Image attribution tooltip

    Wendy’s backtracks on dynamic pricing

    The company said Tuesday that it would not charge higher prices during peak hours. This statement follows widespread consumer backlash on social media in response to mention of a dynamic pricing test in its Q4 earnings call. 

    By • Feb. 28, 2024
  • A red emergency pizza box from Domino's
    Image attribution tooltip
    Courtesy of Domino's
    Image attribution tooltip

    Domino’s loyalty relaunch draws 2M new members

    Strengthened by its emergency pizza marketing stunt, Domino’s updated rewards program helped bolster traffic and comparable sales.

    By • Feb. 26, 2024
  • An image of a storefront with Auntie Anne's and Jamba branding
    Image attribution tooltip
    Permission granted by Focus Brands
    Image attribution tooltip

    Focus Brands renames itself GoTo Foods

    The name change is designed to highlight the value its brand portfolio, including Moe’s Southwest Grill, Auntie Anne’s, Carvel and Cinnabon, offers to consumers and franchisees.

    By • Feb. 20, 2024
  • A man holds a starbucks drink next to a phone with a Bank of America card onscreen.
    Image attribution tooltip
    Courtesy of Starbucks
    Image attribution tooltip

    Starbucks, Bank of America tie up loyalty programs

    Eligible Bank of America card holders can link their Starbucks rewards account to earn 2% cashback on qualifying purchases and one star for every $2 spent at the coffee chain. 

    By • Feb. 15, 2024
  • Whataburger's incoming CMO, Scott Hudler
    Image attribution tooltip
    Permission granted by Whataburger
    Image attribution tooltip

    Whataburger hires CMO

    Scott Hudler joins the chain effective Feb. 21 and has significant experience leading restaurant marketing at Torchy’s Tacos and Dunkin’.

    By • Feb. 15, 2024
  • Wendy's is adding English muffin sandwiches to its breakfast menu on Aug. 22.
    Image attribution tooltip
    Courtesy of Wendy's
    Image attribution tooltip

    Wendy’s to spend $55M on breakfast ads

    The burger chain hopes the marketing push will boost North American sales in the daypart to $6,000 a week per restaurant.

    By • Feb. 15, 2024
  • A steak meal with wine from Smokey Bones
    Image attribution tooltip
    Courtesy of Smokey Bones
    Image attribution tooltip

    Smokey Bones revamps loyalty program

    Members now receive five points for every dollar spent compared to one point, accelerating the rate in which points are accrued. 

    By • Feb. 9, 2024
  • An image of a couple holding hands in the background with red roses in the foreground
    Image attribution tooltip
    kieferpix via Getty Images
    Image attribution tooltip
    Opinion

    What restaurants need to know about Valentine’s Day BOGO, marketing and menu items

    Last year’s holiday drove a 34% lift in restaurant food sales compared to the daily average for the year, a boost operators can recreate, writes Julie Gregg, director of market insights and competitive intelligence at Toast.

    By Julie Gregg • Feb. 8, 2024
  • A person holds a smartphone that displays Burger King's AI Whopper experience.
    Image attribution tooltip
    Courtesy of Burger King
    Image attribution tooltip

    How Burger King’s AI-generated Whoppers reflect the brand’s heritage

    CMO Pat O'Toole explains how the brand leaned into the buzzy tech with a focus on customized orders in an experience created by Media.Monks.

    By Chris Kelly • Feb. 8, 2024
  • A hand holds a smartphone with Sweetgreen's loyalty program on the screen
    Image attribution tooltip
    Permission granted by Sweetgreen
    Image attribution tooltip

    Sweetgreen adds annual loyalty subscription for $100

    Enrollment in the company’s rewards program was up 25% during the back half of 2023, and an annual option could further accelerate membership growth.

    By • Feb. 2, 2024
  • The Starbucks company logo on a glass door.
    Image attribution tooltip
    Justin Sullivan/Getty Images via Getty Images
    Image attribution tooltip

    Starbucks says ‘misperceptions’ of Middle East stance dragged US traffic

    Visits to the coffee chain took a hit last quarter after customers called for a boycott of the brand when it sued Workers United over social media posts concerning Palestine.

    By • Feb. 2, 2024
  • An image of a Starbucks sign
    Image attribution tooltip
    Courtesy of Starbucks
    Image attribution tooltip

    Starbucks to capitalize on record loyalty membership with app improvements

    Starbucks Reward members spent more than ever during Q1 2024, as the company looks to incentivize further patronage with greater personalization.

    By Bryan Wassel • Feb. 1, 2024
  • McDonald's mascot Hamburglar's Burgercuda car
    Image attribution tooltip
    Courtesy of McDonald's USA
    Image attribution tooltip

    McDonald’s Hamburglar hits the road in getaway vehicle for menu revamp

    Consumers can keep an eye for a custom Burgercuda muscle car for the chance to win gift cards and mascot-themed merchandise.

    By Peter Adams • Jan. 31, 2024
  • A promotional picture of IHOP's chocolate strawberry pancakes.
    Image attribution tooltip
    Courtesy of IHOP
    Image attribution tooltip

    IHOP launches pancake of the month deal

    The chain will offer a new pancake LTO every month, and loyalty members who partake are eligible for significant rewards.

    By • Jan. 29, 2024
  • A photograph of a Potbelly sandwich shop sign.
    Image attribution tooltip
    Andrew Burton via Getty Images
    Image attribution tooltip

    Potbelly expands loyalty redemption options

    The sandwich chain added dessert and side items to its redemption options and implemented spend-based tiers in its rewards platform. 

    By • Jan. 23, 2024
  • Taco Bell's Las Vegas Live Mas Live event will preview new products and partnerships for 2024
    Image attribution tooltip
    Permission granted by Taco Bell Corp.
    Image attribution tooltip

    Taco Bell stages Las Vegas fan experience ahead of Super Bowl LVIII

    A gathering in the style of tech conferences will preview new products and partnerships coming in 2024, all against a big game backdrop.

    By Peter Adams • Jan. 12, 2024
  • An image of Papa Johns sign on a store
    Image attribution tooltip
    Courtesy of Papa Johns
    Image attribution tooltip

    How Papa Johns plans to boost margins, store-level profitability

    The second phase of the pizza chain’s Back to Better initiative will focus on a new nationwide marketing strategy, development incentives for franchisees and supply chain improvements in North America.

    By • Jan. 10, 2024
  • A promotional image for Taco Bell's new vegetarian combo deal.
    Image attribution tooltip
    Courtesy of Taco Bell
    Image attribution tooltip

    Taco Bell expands value menu

    In a bid to boost value and increase digital engagement, Taco Bell is adding six value items and a veggie combo.

    By • Jan. 8, 2024
  • Kits that allow consumers to make Taco Bell items in their own home kitchen.
    Image attribution tooltip
    Courtesy of Kraft Heinz
    Image attribution tooltip

    Kraft Heinz partners with Taco Bell on kits bringing restaurant chain’s offerings to the home

    The offerings — the first of several Taco Bell at Home innovations planned for this year by the long-time collaborators — will be sold at Walmart.

    By Christopher Doering • Jan. 4, 2024
  • Image attribution tooltip
    LeoPatrizi via Getty Images
    Image attribution tooltip
    Deep Dive

    Personalization will rule restaurant loyalty programs in 2024

    Major chains are using real-time consumer data and artificial intelligence to provide more personalized perks, which may grow engagement even as diners’ emotional attachment to brands dips. 

    By Danielle McLean • Jan. 4, 2024
  • A Starbucks worker pours a beverage into a cup meant to represent a customer's personal drinkware.
    Image attribution tooltip
    Courtesy of Starbucks
    Image attribution tooltip

    Starbucks will accept diners’ personal mugs for drive-thru, app orders

    The chain has implemented new equipment and standardized its process for fulfilling personal cup orders following a 200 drive-thru-store test last year. 

    By • Jan. 3, 2024
  • Chipotle logo recreated in Strava app
    Image attribution tooltip
    Courtesy of Chipotle
    Image attribution tooltip

    Chipotle curates workouts on Strava to support New Year’s resolutions

    Fitness enthusiasts can run or walk various route segments on Strava that end at Chipotle restaurants for a chance to win free Lifestyle Bowls.

    By Aaron Baar • Jan. 2, 2024
  • a Burger King burger and a person's face being scanned by facial recognition tech
    Image attribution tooltip
    Retrieved from Burger King Brazil on December 21, 2023
    Image attribution tooltip

    Burger King turns hangovers into discounts with facial recognition

    In the tradition of its “Whopper Detour” and “Burn that Ad” campaigns, the chain’s latest stunt uses mobile technology to drive engagement.

    By Chris Kelly • Dec. 21, 2023