Marketing

How restaurants can use direct mail to boost visits

Rising costs may make you think to limit your marketing spend. Instead, seize the chance to drive response with guests.

Aug. 8, 2022

Jack in the Box welcomes back most famous employee Mark Hamill

Before he was Luke Skywalker, Hamill was fired by the chain for using a clown voice while manning the drive-thru — a role he resumed for a campaign stunt.

By Chris Kelly • Aug. 1, 2022

Explore the 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

Chipotle's Buy the Dip game will give away $200K in crypto

The stock market simulation game follows the chain's acceptance of cryptocurrency payments and enables players to win digital currency or promo codes.

By Jessica Deyo • July 25, 2022

Chili's names George Felix as new CMO

The executive previously held leadership roles at Pizza Hut, KFC and Tinder, with his latest appointment arriving at a time of rebuilding for Chili’s. 

By Sara Karlovitch • July 20, 2022

El Torito's parent company launches loyalty program across brands

Xperience Restaurant Group’s rewards offering allows customers at Chevys, El Torito and Acapulco to accrue and spend points across brands. 

By Aneurin Canham-Clyne • July 19, 2022

Latent loyalty: How restaurants can improve customer retention and profits through a digital-first loyalty program

Restaurants need the right partners to help them identify customers offering them promotions that lead to increased loyalty.

July 11, 2022

Report: 38% of consumers interested in metaverse would add restaurant purchases to experience

Twenty percent of consumers are familiar with the metaverse and 18% have participated in the virtual environment, Paytronix and PYMNTS research finds. 

By Alicia Kelso • July 7, 2022

Chipotle rolls up texting, sports and loyalty to drive results

Despite not being an official sponsor of the NBA, the chain hid a code in its TV ads during the Finals that loyalty members could text to unlock a special offer.

By Robert Williams • July 5, 2022

McDonald's franchisees ditch Dollar Drinks as inflation stings

Some stores have dropped the long-standing beverage promotion and are marketing value meals instead, The Wall Street Journal reports.

By Aneurin Canham-Clyne • July 5, 2022

McDonald's stakes out virtual summer camp in mobile app

Featuring merchandise, menu hacks and music performances, the 27-day effort offers another sign the chain views its app as a linchpin to winning Gen Z.

By Peter Adams • June 30, 2022

Sweetgreen launches digital feature to reward customers for meeting goals

Rewards and Challenges is part of the company’s strategy to test different loyalty elements as it works toward deploying a loyalty program in 2023. 

By Julie Littman • June 27, 2022

Wendy's streamlines national-to-local social advertising with Tiger Pistol

The QSR chain has teamed with the largest third-party publisher of collaborative social ads to transform its local ad strategy.

By Chris Kelly • June 21, 2022

McDonald's hosts marketing boot camp with nonprofit to diversify talent pipeline

Participants will operate a pop-up agency and have the opportunity to interview for positions with Wieden + Kennedy and The Golin Group.

By Chris Kelly • June 7, 2022

The restaurant industry is reaching a tipping point – here's what to do now

In an environment of rising prices, well-timed incentive marketing campaigns can inspire action with your guests.

June 6, 2022

Fueled up or out of gas?

How restaurants can best draw in additional foot traffic with a mix of strategic advertising strategies and promotions this summer.

May 31, 2022

Pizza Hut, Jimmy John's tie first metaverse experiments to real-world rewards

Visitors to the sandwich chain's virtual restaurant can build and order a "Metasandwich," while the pizza marketer is dropping into ComplexLand.

By Peter Adams • May 26, 2022

Carl's Jr. and Hardee's head to 'Jurassic World' as $500M brand transformation looms

Chief Brand Officer Chad Crawford details how the brands are leveraging digital content across Uber and Lyft vehicles, Snapchat, TikTok and Waze.

By Chris Kelly • May 26, 2022

Noodles & Company gamifies mobile rewards to boost loyalty

The chain saw a ninefold gain in click-through rates while generating $71 for every 100 emails it sent to app users via a loyalty promotion.

By Robert Williams • May 20, 2022

Domino's grants 'Stranger Things' fans 'mind-ordering' powers through new app

An immersive mobile experience tied to the Netflix show’s return uses facial recognition and eye-tracking technology to help users order pizza.

By Peter Adams • Updated May 17, 2022

Starbucks builds out 'third place' with foray into NFTs

As a means to build a community around coffee, the chain will link the upcoming digital tokens to exclusive content and perks.

By Natalie Koltun • May 6, 2022

Burger King taps new agencies after year of marketing tumult

Among other appointments, independent shop OKRP replaces WPP's David as the burger chain's creative agency in a bid for greater cultural relevancy. 

By Chris Kelly • May 5, 2022

Sweetgreen's ambassador team adds NBA's Devin Booker with TikTok-inspired spot

A celebrity-backed "Create Your Own" campaign looks to boost the chain's digital orders, which made up 65% of sales last quarter.

By Chris Kelly • May 3, 2022

Panera partners with T-Pain and Ntwrk to promote chicken sandwich

The rapper will host a day of merchandise drops on the shopping app, including a line of items branded with Panera’s logo and images of its chicken sandwich.

By Sara Karlovitch • May 2, 2022

McDonald's spotlights Latino film talent to boost industry representation

In partnership with "Encanto" star Stephanie Beatriz, the chain will give the winner of a short film contest a chance to work on initiatives and campaigns.

By Chris Kelly • April 28, 2022

KFC preps chicken bouquets alongside new 'Finger Lickin' Good' creative

Eyeing younger audiences, the Mother's Day promotion follows its first campaign under new AOR MullenLowe.

By Chris Kelly • April 27, 2022