How c-stores are using food, merch and more to boost holiday traffic

Whether it’s festive coffees, ugly sweaters or even a seasonally themed pic from Wally’s photo booth, c-stores are taking a variety of approaches to engaging customers.

By Christine Blank • Dec. 19, 2023

Papa Johns taps The Martin Agency, Carat in agency shakeup

Both shops pitched the pizza chain on insight-driven strategies that can drive cultural relevance and improve areas like targeting and loyalty.  

By Chris Kelly • Dec. 13, 2023

Pizza Hut celebrates delivery drivers with QR code doormat and free pizza

Delivery drivers who see the Reverse Delivery doormat displayed on a doorstep can scan the QR code to receive a courtesy pizza.

By Jessica Deyo • Dec. 11, 2023

Why Domino’s is awarding half a million dollars in snow plowing grants

Chief Brand Officer Kate Trumbull explained how the chain’s latest effort shows off an "experienced by few, seen by many" ethos.

By Chris Kelly • Dec. 4, 2023

Make your restaurant the entertainment go-to place with DIRECTV FOR BUSINESS

Ensure your restaurant is set up to keep your guests coming back week after week, season after season.

Dec. 4, 2023

McDonald’s reinvents McNugget Buddies for streetwear-minded adults

For its latest nostalgia play, the chain teamed with multifaceted artist and influencer Kerwin Frost to put a new spin on the iconic collectibles.

By Chris Kelly • Nov. 30, 2023

Subway will bring footlong cookie to permanent menu

When the sandwich chain debuted the oblong dessert at a Miami “Cookieway” pop-up last year, supply ran out in less than two hours.

By Aneurin Canham-Clyne • Nov. 29, 2023

Don’t miss out! Bring two exclusive NFL games and more premium content to your guests with EverPass Media

Learn how your business can stream exclusive NFL games, Big Ten basketball and more through Peacock Sports Pass via EverPass Media.

Nov. 27, 2023

Are celebrity-backed virtual brands worth the risks?

A string of messy and high-profile lawsuits over MrBeast Burger have put the category’s challenges under a spotlight, but experts say there may be opportunity in an omnichannel second act for virtual brands.

By Aneurin Canham-Clyne • Nov. 20, 2023

Checkers and Rally’s names CFO, CMO

Michael Blair, previously at Miller’s Ale House, joins the chain as CFO, while Scott Johnson, previously at Jollibee, takes the CMO role.

By Aneurin Canham-Clyne • Nov. 17, 2023

Campaign Trail: Postmates animates food-fueled fever dreams

Created by Mother in LA, “This Is Your Brain on Food” uses different illustrators to visualize the emotions created by BBQ, boba tea and beyond.

By Chris Kelly • Nov. 16, 2023

Chili’s remixes Baby Back Ribs jingle with Boyz II Men

The nostalgia-led play leans into a misconception that the group was behind the tune when it first blew up in the ‘90s.

By Peter Adams • Nov. 14, 2023

Pieology bolsters rewards program with daily perks

New and existing rewards members will receive a free item with the purchase of a pizza through the end of the year at the fast casual chain. 

By Julie Littman • Nov. 9, 2023

Chuck E. Cheese hires chief insights and marketing officer

Mark Kupferman, who worked at Ruth’s Chris Steak House, brings over 25 years of marketing experience to his position at the eatertainment chain.

By Julie Littman • Nov. 7, 2023

Wendy’s breakfast discounts, late-night traffic buoy sales

The chain has maintained strong profitability on morning daypart promotions, said CFO Gunther Plosch, and late-night sales have increased by double digits year over year. 

By Aneurin Canham-Clyne • Nov. 2, 2023

Cracker Barrel ushers in Dolly Parton’s ‘Rockstar’ era to promote rewards

A partnership touting a loyalty offering that launched in September anticipates the “Jolene” singer’s first rock record and includes custom rocking chairs.

By Peter Adams • Oct. 31, 2023

4 ways restaurant marketers can improve results through mobile games

Innovative restaurant brands are harnessing mobile games’ skyrocketing popularity to uncover new diners and address two big challenges — data privacy concerns and mounting economic pressures.

Oct. 30, 2023

Marco’s Pizza adds Pizzolis to check handheld pizzas at rival chains

The menu item, described as a cross between pizza and a stromboli, comes as Marco’s aims to unseat Papa Johns as the nation’s fourth largest pizza brand. 

By Aneurin Canham-Clyne • Oct. 25, 2023

Playa Bowls hires Focus Brands vet as CMO

Nicolle DuBose, who has over 20 years of marketing experience at food and beverage brands, joins the health food chain as it surpasses 200 units.

By Julie Littman • Oct. 23, 2023

What Taco Bell and DoorDash learned about loyalty through collaboration

Taco Bell Chief Digital Officer Dane Mathews and DoorDash CMO Kofi Amoo-Gottfried dug into building brand trust at Advertising Week New York.

By Chris Kelly • Oct. 20, 2023

TGI Fridays’ new events service could yield $5M in additional Q4 revenue

The chain said this move is part of its strategy to become an experiential hospitality and entertainment destination.

By Aneurin Canham-Clyne • Oct. 19, 2023

Why Inspire Brands puts identity at the center of its marketing

At Advertising Week, Chief Media Officer Travis Freeman explained how uniting data across its brands helps the marketer reach “promiscuous” consumers.

By Chris Kelly • Oct. 19, 2023

Square adds generative AI tools for restaurants

The point-of-sales provider's latest features include menu and website copy generators, which are designed to automate operations and increase efficiency.

By Aneurin Canham-Clyne • Oct. 18, 2023

Pizza Hut is keeping thousands of restaurants open until midnight

The pizza giant is hoping to capture sales to younger customers through its late-night delivery and carryout offerings across much of its U.S. system. 

By Aneurin Canham-Clyne • Updated Oct. 20, 2023

What Wendy’s global CMO Carl Loredo learned from Taylor Swift

The executive explained how fandom, value and nostalgia come together for the QSR chain during an Advertising Week New York discussion.

By Chris Kelly • Oct. 18, 2023