Marketing


  • Pizza Hut burger QR campaign
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    Courtesy of Pizza Hut
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    Pizza Hut hits drive-thrus to get consumers to ‘cheat’ on their burgers

    The chain’s delivery drivers will appear at competitor drive-thrus with a QR code on their back windows to offer the new Cheeseburger Melt.

    By Aaron Baar • May 16, 2024
  • A hand holds a smartphone with a screen that says "Seacret Society"
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    Permission granted by Long John Silver's
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    Long John Silver’s rolls out rewards program

    Seacret Society members earn four coins for every dollar spent online that can be redeemed later for items like Hushpuppies and Grilled or Variety Platters. 

    By May 15, 2024
  • Homeroom Restaurant in Oakland, California Explore the Trendline
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    Permission granted by Homeroom
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    Trendline

    Independent restaurants

    In an industry built on in-person interactions and long-term relationships with customers, the pandemic has dealt a serious blow to independent operators, but many have pivoted and found new ways to reach diners.

    By Restaurant Dive staff
  • An image of three mobile app images of Uber Eats
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    Permission granted by Uber
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    Uber adds student discount, restaurant lists in latest product rollout

    As part of Uber’s Go-Get 2024 event, the company said it will soon allow Uber Eats users to curate and share lists of their favorite restaurants from the app. 

    By May 15, 2024
  • A view of a Wendy's restaurant on May 12, 2021 in Pinole, California.
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    Justin Sullivan via Getty Images
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    Wendy’s credits loyalty program, mobile app investments for customer growth

    “The experience we deliver to our customers is the most impactful driver of our business,” CEO Kirk Tanner said.

    By Bryan Wassel • May 7, 2024
  • The outside of a McDonald's restaurant
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    Brandon Bell via Getty Images
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    McDonald’s credits speed, personalization for high satisfaction

    The fast food chain is attracting consumers with customized messaging and cementing their loyalty with swift and consistent service.

    By Bryan Wassel • May 2, 2024
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    John Hazard and Lisa Burdige
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    How McDonald’s and Burger King diverge on value-driven messaging

    Price-conscious consumers are forcing the QSR giants down different paths around how to advertise value and invest in their marketing.

    By Chris Kelly • May 1, 2024
  • A picture of a building with Domino's signage and a car parked on the left side.
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    Courtesy of Domino's
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    Domino’s Q1 US sales driven by loyalty, promotions

    Domestic comps rose 5.6%, the highest increase since 2021, due to rewards member growth, successful marketing campaigns and improved operations.

    By April 29, 2024
  • A photograph of packaging and menu items for IHOP/Virtual Dining Concepts' new NASCAR themed brand
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    Courtesy of Virtual Dining Concepts
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    IHOP adds 2 new Virtual Dining Concept brands, expands another

    IHOP is focusing on virtual brands as a solution to traffic problems in non-peak dayparts and thinks two sports-themed brands could lift sales.

    By April 25, 2024
  • Fuzzy's Taco Shop CMO Patrick Kirk
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    Courtesy of Fuzzy's Taco Shop
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    Fuzzy’s Taco Shop taps Applebee’s vet as CMO

    In his new role, Patrick Kirk will oversee all aspects of marketing, including advertising, digital marketing and culinary and beverage innovation. 

    By April 23, 2024
  • MOD Pizza
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    Permission granted by MOD Pizza
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    Mod Pizza hires Raising Cane’s exec as CMO

    Jennifer Anderson brings nearly two decades of marketing and culinary experience to her new position, where she will oversee digital marketing, menu development and consumer insights and engagement. 

    By April 17, 2024
  • A box of St. Patrick's Day themed Krispy Kreme doughnuts.
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    Courtesy of Krispy Kreme
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    Krispy Kreme switching to points-based loyalty scheme

    Loyalty members will earn 10 points for every dollar spent starting April 23 as the chain shifts away from a consistent 8.3% discount rate on rewards.

    By April 17, 2024
  • Applebee's and Team Whistle collaborate on an episode of "Undercover Athlete"
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    Courtesy of Team Whistle
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    Applebee’s taps NFL star as undercover server to promote new burger

    To promote the menu item, the chain partnered with Team Whistle on an episode of “Undercover Athlete” that features wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk.

    By Jessica Deyo • April 15, 2024
  • Wow Bao's Dim Sum Palace virtual restaurant on Roblox
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    Permission granted by Wow Bao
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    Wow Bao links restaurant rewards to Roblox in platform-first integration

    Metaverse hype may have dissipated, but brands remain interested in leveraging games like Roblox to connect with Gen Z and Gen Alpha.

    By Peter Adams • April 11, 2024
  • A stock image of a consumer examining a receipt.
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    Patpitchaya via Getty Images
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    Dynamic pricing firm Juicer snags $5.3M in funding

    Restaurant pricing tools may help operators boost sales in lagging dayparts, but consumer sensitivity about these applications is still powerful.

    By April 10, 2024
  • A promotional image for KFC's $4.99 two piece meal deal.
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    Courtesy of KFC
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    KFC adds $4.99 meal deal through year’s end

    As restaurants across the board face dwindling traffic, the chicken chain is leaning on aggressive discounting to draw customers.

    By April 8, 2024
  • Chipotle as an official partner of Tekken 8.
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    Courtesy of Tekken 8
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    Chipotle levels up gaming efforts with Tekken 8 in-game perks, menu item

    As an official partner of the fighting game, Chipotle will also make Tekken 8 the title game for the return of its Challenger Series esports competition. 

    By Jessica Deyo • April 8, 2024
  • Chipotle Burrito Vault game for 2024 National Burrito Day
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    Courtesy of Chipotle
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    Chipotle dishes out $1M in free burritos with Burrito Vault mobile game

    Timed to National Burrito Day, the interactive web game tasked consumers to correctly guess two exact order combinations to score a promotional code.

    By Aaron Baar • April 4, 2024
  • Papa Johns Better Get You Some
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    Courtesy of Papa Johns
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    Q&A

    How Papa Johns’ new brand platform connects pizza to marketing transformation

    CMO Mark Shambura delves into the “Better Get You Some” campaign, the evolution of the chief marketer role and the chain’s commitment to DEI.

    By Chris Kelly • April 2, 2024
  • A McDonald's store is shown in Houston, Texas.
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    Brandon Bell via Getty Images
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    McDonald’s, NielsenIQ team for Cultural Relevance ad-testing module

    By analyzing the role and effectiveness of cultural factors in content, this solution can help advertisers deliver more impactful and inclusive ads.

    By Jessica Deyo • March 27, 2024
  • Wendy's
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    Thai Phi Le/Restaurant Dive
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    Opinion

    Dynamic offers done right: Why Wendy’s was on the right track

    Unlike surge pricing, dynamic pricing can enhance brand loyalty and foster a sense of community engagement beyond traditional marketing methods, writes Catherine Tabor, founder and CEO of Sparkfly. 

    By Catherine Tabor • March 20, 2024
  • An image of a redesigned Starbucks line.
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    Courtesy of Starbucks, Joshua Trujillo
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    Starbucks adds regional CEOs, eliminates CMO post

    The chain added CEOs for its North America and international divisions to give those regions more autonomy as it pursues its ambitious reinvention plan. 

    By March 19, 2024
  • A promotional image for Starbucks NFT marketplace, Starbucks Odyssey.
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    Courtesy of Starbucks
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    Starbucks shutters NFT beta test

    On March 31, Starbucks Odyssey Beta — a major restaurant effort to capitalize on Web3 hype — will end 18 months after it was announced.

    By March 18, 2024
  • Noodles & Company cauliflower gnocchi
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    Permission granted by Noodles & Company
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    Noodles & Company names Drew Madsen CEO, preps for menu overhaul

    After three quarters of sliding sales, Madsen will oversee menu changes and digital strategies to woo lapsed and new customers after a tough year.

    By March 8, 2024
  • Starbucks' new Iced Lavender Cream Oatmilk Matcha and Iced Lavender Oatmilk Latte.
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    Courtesy of Starbucks
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    Starbucks debuts 2 iced lavender drinks for spring

    The matcha and latte LTOs aren’t part of the new beverage platforms announced earlier this year, but capitalize on growing sales of cold beverages and tea-based lattes. 

    By March 7, 2024
  • twice daily
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    Permission granted by Tri Star Energy
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    Twice Daily expands made-to-order menu

    The retailer has added wraps to its custom foodservice program, which expanded to all 200-plus locations last year.

    By Brett Dworski • March 5, 2024