Marketing

  • Jack in the Box mascot Jack Box is accompanied by actor Mark Hamill on the set of a commercial
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    Courtesy of Jack in the Box

    Jack in the Box predicts unit growth in 2023

    A year after relaunching franchising, the chain is targeting positive net unit growth for the first time since 2019 and plans to operate in 40 states by 2030.

    By • Nov. 23, 2022
  • A promotional image for DoorDash's DashPass holiday promotion
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    Courtesy of DoorDash

    DoorDash will let customers gift DashPass subscriptions

    This holiday promotion, which includes nearly $40 off an annual subscription, could boost DashPass membership and user retention.

    By • Nov. 22, 2022
  • Homeroom Restaurant in Oakland, California Explore the Trendline➔
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    Permission granted by Homeroom
    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
  • People sharing a dish around a table
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    VioletaStoimenova via Getty Images
    Sponsored by Adentro

    Food holidays: Marketing ideas for restaurants

    There are more than 800 food holidays throughout the year. Find out eight ways you can take advantage of the food holidays in restaurant marketing throughout the year. 

    Nov. 14, 2022
  • Mature couple are enjoying sharing some paella from a christmas market stall
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    DGLimages via Getty Images
    Sponsored by Waze

    3 ways to attract on-the-go diners this holiday season

    As holiday shoppers hit the stores, here’s how leading QSRs and fast casual chains can entice them to stop for quick pick-me-ups.

    Nov. 7, 2022
  • Little Caesars Hot and Ready
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    Courtesy of Little Caesars

    Little Caesars promotes digital trailblazer to CMO

    Greg Hamilton takes the reins for marketing as the chain ramps up digital transformation and its relationship with the NFL.

    By Sara Karlovitch • Oct. 31, 2022
  • A street in the dark with a Burger King location highlighted
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    Courtesy of Burger King

    Burger King teams with Call of Duty for expansive international promo

    The tie-up comes just over a year after the chain’s former CMO Fernando Machado joined Call of Duty publisher Activision Blizzard as CMO.

    By Aaron Baar • Oct. 31, 2022
  • An image of a next gen Dunkin' in Woodstock, Georgia.
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    Courtesy of Dunkin'

    Did Dunkin’ get its loyalty shakeup wrong?

    The revamped program’s emphasis on food items could be a play for higher check sizes, but making members pay a premium for coffee rewards could burn the chain.

    By • Oct. 31, 2022
  • McDonald's McRib sandwich sits against a black background and underneath glowing golden text reading, "The McRib Farewell Tour."
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    Permission granted by McDonald's USA

    McDonald’s double dips on nostalgia with ‘Farewell Tour’ for McRib

    Following the success of adult Happy Meals, the brand is dropping a throwback merchandise line celebrating the history of the boneless pork sandwich.

    By Peter Adams • Oct. 25, 2022
  • The TikTok logo on a phone.
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    Drew Angerer/Getty Images via Getty Images

    Study: 53% of millennial TikTok users visited a restaurant after seeing it on the app

    MGH Restaurants called the app “a restaurant marketer’s dream,” as visually appealing foods drive visits and induce customers to travel farther than normal.

    By • Oct. 25, 2022
  • An image of a smartphone highlighting Yelp's veteran-owned business attribute
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    Permission granted by Yelp

    Yelp adds searchable ‘veteran-owned’ tag for businesses

    The feature’s launch follows a 101% spike in search rates for veteran-owned concepts year over year in Q3.

    By • Oct. 25, 2022
  • Two people are seated at a bar. A bartender uses a mobile device to scan a one of the customer's credit card while smiling.
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    Permission granted by Square
    Sponsored by Square

    Increase F&B sales with tableside ordering

    How one restaurant added tableside ordering and increased alcohol sales by 22%.

    Oct. 24, 2022
  • Subway plans to add 50,000 jobs this summer
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    Courtesy of Subway

    Subway, Arby’s top QSR TV ad impressions in Q3

    While QSRs increasingly invest in digital marketing, they remain an important driver of TV ad impressions, accounting for 27.5 billion impressions in Q3.

    By • Oct. 21, 2022
  • Image attribution tooltip
    Flickr user Jennie Faber

    McDonald’s to sell Krispy Kreme doughnuts in Louisville

    Three doughnut varieties will be available for in-restaurant and drive-thru purchases at nine McDonald’s units starting Oct. 26. 

    By • Oct. 18, 2022
  • Two characters from Stranger Things as part of a Domino's partnership
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    Courtesy of Domino's

    Inside Domino’s recipe for success with ‘Stranger Things’ fanatics

    At Advertising Week, executives laid out how a campaign centered on a “mind ordering” app paid off despite an average response from a general audience.

    By Peter Adams • Oct. 18, 2022
  • An image showing some of Dunkin's branding pasted on the side of a building.
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    Courtesy of Dunkin'

    Dunkin’ fans, angered by rewards changes, say brand has lost its identity

    The minimum cost of a coffee, measured in loyalty points, increased by about 25%, and some diners say the changes have made them switch to alternatives.

    By • Oct. 13, 2022
  • An image showing a hang raising a cup of Starbucks iced coffee with a Delta aircraft in soft-focus in the background.
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    Courtesy of Starbucks

    Starbucks, Delta link rewards programs

    Starbucks customers can now earn Delta SkyMiles by buying coffee, as well as double points on purchases made on days they travel with Delta. 

    By • Oct. 13, 2022
  • Burger King's new Ghost Pepper Whopper floating against a smoky black background and under large white-and-orange text that reads "Ghost Pepper Whopper."
    Image attribution tooltip
    Retrieved from Business Wire on October 11, 2022

    Burger King caters to paranormal sleuths with in-app ghost detector

    A promotion rewards loyalty members who try out the tool with an exclusive offer for a Halloween-themed Ghost Pepper Whopper. 

    By Peter Adams • Oct. 12, 2022
  • A promotional image for BurgerFi's ongoing brand overhaul.
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    Courtesy of BurgerFi

    BurgerFi launches marketing and loyalty overhaul

    The chain is revamping its app and website to increase the channels through which customers can access rewards, as part of a broader brand redesign.

    By • Oct. 11, 2022
  • Chipotle Boorito promo art
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    Courtesy of Chipotle Mexican Grill

    Chipotle’s ‘Boorito’ promo returns with BeReal, Cash App twist

    The 22-year-old Halloween promotion is back in-person following two pandemic years, with perks ranging from a $6 entree to a $10,000 Cash App prize.

    By Jessica Deyo • Oct. 11, 2022
  • A promotional image for Zaxby's new rewards program.
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    Courtesy of Zaxby's

    Zaxby’s revamps loyalty program and mobile app

    The chicken chain’s Zax Rewardz offering replaces the existing Zax Fanz Club with a points-for-dollars system.

    By • Oct. 11, 2022
  • Four McDonald's figurines designed by Cactus Plant Flea Market encircle a Happy Meal placed on a red table against a sky-blue backdrop.
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    Permission granted by McDonald's USA

    Deja vu? McDonald’s adult Happy Meals raise specter of past promos run awry

    Kotaku pointed to posts from overwhelmed employees on Reddit and TikTok, while a budding resale market underpins strong demand for the meals.

    By Peter Adams • Updated Oct. 10, 2022
  • A picture of branding on a Dunkin' location
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    Courtesy of Dunkin'

    Dunkin’ rewards members can now earn points twice as fast

    The chain’s new offering, Dunkin’ Rewards, lowers the threshold to start redeeming points and increases flexibility in how customers can use rewards. 

    By • Oct. 7, 2022
  • A group of diverse young people eat Burger King in front of a grey house.
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    Courtesy of Burger King

    Burger King crowns the consumer king with new ‘You Rule’ tagline

    A new campaign debuting Oct. 10 puts the focus on customized orders and is part of a larger brand revitalization effort meant to combat sluggish sales.

    By Sara Karlovitch • Oct. 7, 2022
  • Revamped Jamba smoothie-making robot
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    Permission granted by Jamba by Blendid

    Jamba gives smoothie robot human-esque makeover

    The first revamped bot debuted at the Ackerman Student Union on UCLA’s campus in Los Angeles, and will soon roll out to more locations.

    By • Oct. 6, 2022
  • An image fo Arby's incoming CMO, Rita Patel
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    Courtesy of Arby's

    Inspire moves Buffalo Wild Wings CMO to Arby’s

    Rita Patel will be responsible for the brand’s strategy, menu changes, advertising and marketing communications.

    By • Oct. 5, 2022