Marketing
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Chili’s rides with NASCAR, Lifetime to push margaritas with music, TV
Two very different campaigns look to broaden the company’s consumer base in an effort to continue its wave of success.
By Sara Karlovitch • Feb. 13, 2025 -
Popeyes will remodel stores and beef up ad spending
Restaurant Brands International will add equipment, ranging from a cloud-based point-of-sales system to an automated batter-maker, at the chicken chain’s U.S. stores.
By Aneurin Canham-Clyne • Feb. 12, 2025 -
McDonald’s will bring back snackwraps, chicken strips to boost sales
The Golden Arches will emphasize menu innovation in the chicken category this year to recover traffic momentum that was stalled by its E. coli outbreak.
By Aneurin Canham-Clyne • Feb. 10, 2025 -
Yum Brands to scale loyalty, personalization in 2025
Taco Bell’s parent company is leveraging loyalty programs and AI-driven personalization in pursuit of higher digital sales.
By Bryan Wassel • Feb. 7, 2025 -
Starbucks says ‘Hello Again’ by advertising around the Super Bowl
A new spot and a free coffee promotion on the Monday after the big game are part of the chain’s marketing-powered turnaround plan.
By Chris Kelly • Feb. 5, 2025 -
Just Salad hires marketing, CX and development chiefs
The appointments come shortly after the chain opened its first drive-thru restaurant as part of a growth push.
By Aneurin Canham-Clyne • Feb. 4, 2025 -
Q&A
Dunkin’ CMO on building a ‘cinematic universe’ to capture attention
Jill McVicar Nelson explains what the brand has learned from its Super Bowl ads and how it’s facing uneasiness around TikTok’s future.
By Chris Kelly • Jan. 30, 2025 -
Shake Shack appoints 2 marketing execs
The fast casual chain created the roles of chief growth officer and chief communications officer as it prepares for the departure of CMO Jay Livingston.
By Aneurin Canham-Clyne • Jan. 30, 2025 -
Starbucks eyes return to premium identity as traffic slide continues
A shift away from discounting and a 30% reduction in SKUs could refocus the brand’s identity and premium market positioning in the next several quarters.
By Aneurin Canham-Clyne • Jan. 29, 2025 -
McDonald’s chief marketer steps down, company veteran steps into role
Tariq Hassan will stay on to support the transition as Alyssa Buetikofer, CMO for the brand in Canada, returns to the U.S. business on Feb. 15.
By Chris Kelly • Jan. 28, 2025 -
McDonald’s amplifies mobile app with Pokémon Happy Meal
The burger chain is again wedding pop culture and nostalgia with a Happy Meal box inclusive of a Pokémon booster pack, poster and sticker sheet.
By Jessica Deyo • Jan. 22, 2025 -
Panera hires marketing, culinary executives
Robin Seward joins the chain as senior vice president, brand and innovation, while Scott Uehlein was hired as vice president of culinary.
By Julie Littman • Jan. 14, 2025 -
Baskin-Robbins’ new loyalty program aims to balance simplicity and variety
Baskin-Robbins Rewards, which launched in December, aims to make it easy for customers to earn rewards while offering a variety of redemption options.
By Bryan Wassel • Updated Jan. 15, 2025 -
Why Papa Johns wants market density, not more territories
The pizza chain’s biggest growth opportunities lie in markets where it already has a presence, executives told investors in December.
By Aneurin Canham-Clyne • Jan. 13, 2025 -
Starbucks hands Anomaly US creative duties in blow to WPP: report
WPP, which only won the account in October, established a bespoke Team Starbucks unit to support the coffee chain’s turnaround plan.
By Peter Adams • Jan. 9, 2025 -
Taco Bell adds $5 and $9 meal combos
A year after launching its $7 Luxe Cravings Boxes, Taco Bell is building out its value combo offerings with a cheaper choice and a more premium option.
By Aneurin Canham-Clyne • Jan. 7, 2025 -
McDonald’s value menu launch gets inspirational boost from John Cena
The actor-wrestler appears in new ads that turn into a oddball spiel about the transformational power of the McValue platform.
By Peter Adams • Jan. 7, 2025 -
Subway launches sub of the day deal
After the early end of its $6.99 meal, Subway is stepping back into the value wars with a meal deal for every day of the week.
By Aneurin Canham-Clyne • Jan. 6, 2025 -
Del Taco adds new burritos and value bundles
The chain’s same-store sales shrank considerably last quarter, though its value messaging may be starting to work, company leadership said.
By Aneurin Canham-Clyne • Jan. 3, 2025 -
Retrieved from Dunkin on January 02, 2025
Dunkin’ gets racy with Sabrina Carpenter in ‘Shake That Ess’ campaign
Carpenter’s hit single “Espresso” served as inspiration for a new limited-time beverage that is accompanied by ads punning on profanity.
By Peter Adams • Jan. 3, 2025 -
Q&A
Domino’s CMO on how Emergency Pizzas meet consumers where they are
Kate Trumbull and Matt Talbot, co-founder of the brand’s AOR WorkInProgress, explain how last year’s marketing efforts set up the chain for 2025.
By Chris Kelly • Jan. 2, 2025 -
Inside Starbucks’ very long, very bad 2024
Traffic declines and labor strife kept the chain mired in trouble despite a CEO switch up and product launches aimed at reviving its fortunes.
By Aneurin Canham-Clyne • Jan. 2, 2025 -
Deep Dive
From restaurant to retail: How Michelin-starred brands are infiltrating the grocery store
The channel provides establishments such as Momofuku and Carbone with new revenue streams and an opportunity to connect more consumers.
By Chris Casey • Dec. 20, 2024 -
Restaurant gift card sales up 17% during Thanksgiving weekend: report
In addition to gift card sales growth, Patronix reported an uptick in in-store purchases versus digital compared to the same period last year.
By Julie Littman • Dec. 20, 2024 -
FTC excludes restaurants from junk fee rule
In another regulatory victory for restaurants, the Federal Trade Commission backtracked on including restaurant fees in its price transparency rule.
By Aneurin Canham-Clyne • Dec. 19, 2024