Marketing

Nearly half of consumers will try new brands if the ad is relevant, study shows

Before diverting marketing dollars to video-based social media — as Chipotle has done with its successful TikTok campaigns — marketers need to remember that context matters more than ever, according to a DoubleVerify study.

By Aaron Baar • Sept. 29, 2020

Resy, AmEx will bring a fine dining 'drive-thru' experience to Los Angeles

Diners can enter the Hollywood Palladium via car Oct. 15 and Oct. 16, where they will be assigned a designated waiter who will guide them from "restaurant" to "restaurant" to serve guests a 10-course meal through their car windows.

By Alicia Kelso • Sept. 23, 2020

Explore the Trendline➔

Trendline

Independent restaurants

In an industry built on in-person interactions and long-term relationships with customers, the COVID-19 crisis was a serious blow to independent operators, but many have pivoted and found new ways to reach diners.

By Restaurant Dive staff

Burger King puts Whopper recipe on wrappers as part of 'real food' push

Following efforts centered on moldy burgers and cow farts, the QSR is trying a simple and direct approach to market its "clean food" menu.

By Robert Williams • Sept. 18, 2020

McDonald's app offers mock insurance to drive trial of new spicy McNuggets

The promotion that includes a 40-minute Instagram video of Anthony "Spice" Adams reflects the chain's focus on drive-thru, delivery and digital as it ramps up marketing spend.

By Robert Williams • Sept. 16, 2020

White Castle launches first systemwide loyalty program

The burger chain accelerated its plans to roll out a rewards program to provide more contactless services and grow its digital footprint, White Castle Vice President Jamie Richardson said. 

By Emma Liem Beckett • Sept. 10, 2020

Chipotle employs TikTok creator cohort to promote group-ordering app feature

As TikTok users join up to form creator houses, Chipotle is early to a trend that reflects its own efforts to target wannabe brand ambassadors.

By Peter Adams • Sept. 08, 2020

Buffalo Wild Wings sells season passes to feed and entertain NFL fans

The chain returns to experiential marketing with an effort to appeal to customers who are eager to return to normal activities and those who are sticking close to home.

By Tatiana Walk-Morris • Sept. 04, 2020

Uber Eats unveils first ad format with sponsored restaurant listings

To encourage restaurants to test the new format, Uber Eats is offering $25 million in marketing credits to small and medium-size businesses.

By Robert Williams • Aug. 31, 2020

How El Pollo Loco tripled digital sales in 2020 by modernizing its marketing

CEO Bernard Acoca explained how the restaurant brand revitalized its marketing after spending 98% of its media budget on TV and print just a few years ago.

By Chris Kelly • Aug. 27, 2020

McDonald's goes toe-to-toe with Wendy's with its spicy McNuggets LTO

The chain will launch the item Sept. 16, about a year after Wendy's brought its spicy nuggets back, which is boosting same-store sales. 

By Emma Liem Beckett • Aug. 27, 2020

KFC drops 'Finger Lickin'' slogan around the globe as hygiene concerns persist

Deeming the 64-year-old catchphrase inappropriate during the pandemic, the brand is expanding a pause as part of its first global campaign.

By Peter Adams • Aug. 25, 2020

Popeyes looks to end year early with Times Square countdown celebrating chicken sandwich

As the mega-popular menu item celebrates its one-year anniversary, the brand is hosting a mock New Year's eve event in August.  

By Dianna Christie • Aug. 19, 2020

Buffalo Wild Wings names Target brand manager as new marketing chief

Rita Patel steps into the role as the largest sports bar brand in the U.S. faces uncertainty around restaurant reopenings and the fall sports season.

By Peter Adams • Aug. 11, 2020

25% of diners place online orders multiple times a week, study shows

Twenty-seven percent of guests surveyed by Toast said they plan to order more takeout and 23% said they plan to order more delivery compared to before the novel coronavirus pandemic, suggesting online ordering demand will only grow.

By Alicia Kelso • Aug. 04, 2020

Chipotle debuts branded apparel dyed with recycled avocados

Available at a microsite, the line supports sustainability at a time when fast fashion is often associated with negatively impacting the environment.

By Dianna Christie • Aug. 04, 2020

Domino's promotes Art D'Elia to marketing chief

The move comes as the chain is reaping the benefits of a strong digital focus as stay-at-home orders prompt consumers to order in rather than dine out.

By Dianna Christie • Aug. 03, 2020

McDonald's boosts marketing budget by $200M to drive recovery

The increase comes after the company slashed marketing spend by 70% in Q2, giving it a "sizable marketing war chest" for the remainder of the year. 

By Robert Williams • July 30, 2020

Popeyes urges fans to prank family members with autocorrect campaign

In a ploy to turn pizza lovers into fried chicken fans, the QSR is asking people to edit "pizza" into "Popeyes instead of pizza" using the autocorrect feature on smartphones.

By Robert Williams • July 28, 2020

Starbucks will add more ways to pay, earn rewards this fall

Loyalty members will no longer have to use the Starbucks card to collect rewards, and can instead opt for cash, credit/debit cards and mobile wallets.

By Alicia Kelso • July 22, 2020

Wendy's launches loyalty program as part of digital growth

The initiative, which will reward customers no matter how they order, is part of the chain's plans to make digital sales 10% of overall sales by 2024. 

By Julie Littman • July 22, 2020

DoorDash launches 'Without Restaurants' campaign to help ailing eateries

As part of the #GotMyStartChallenge on social media, celebrities like comedian George Lopez explain how restaurants shaped their careers.

By Robert Williams • July 21, 2020

Dunkin' commits to P&G cleaning products to lure customers back inside

Co-branded stickers will appear on front doors, drive-thrus and in restrooms of participating locations to indicate frequent cleaning with brands like Comet.

By Dianna Christie • July 17, 2020

Kura Sushi reports $9.2M net loss in Q3

The sushi chain was hit hard by the COVID-19 crisis, bypassing analysts' predictions of $6.5 million lost.

By Alicia Kelso • July 16, 2020

Deep Dive

9 campaigns that show how mobile marketers pivoted in the pandemic during H1

The year's best campaigns so far, including marketing by Chipotle and KFC, came in the wake of the pandemic's changes to the landscape as marketers rushed to meet consumers in digital channels.

By Chris Kelly , Chantal Tode , Peter Adams • July 16, 2020

Burger King explains dangers of cow farts in video starring viral yodeling kid

An educational spot promotes new low-methane emission beef burgers from the chain that's steadily introduced more meatless options.

By Peter Adams • July 14, 2020