Marketing

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

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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

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

Taco Bell takes drag brunch on tour at Cantina locations

The experiential concept came from Live Más Pride, an LGBT employee resource group, and caters to the brand's most loyal rewards members.

By Peter Adams • April 25, 2022

Burger King offers free fries every week to loyalty members

Royal Perks members can access the offering for the rest of 2022, which could differentiate Burger King from rivals who charge subscriptions for free food.

By Aneurin Canham-Clyne • April 25, 2022

Managing your online reputation during a global crisis

If your restaurant is impacted due to its name or presumed affiliation with an ongoing conflict, such as the Russian invasion of Ukraine, you need to act quickly, writes Monica Ho, CMO of SOCi Inc.

By Monica Ho • April 21, 2022

Burger King ponders confusing times as plant-based push continues

The effort promotes plant-based chicken nuggets by highlighting daily paradoxes and comes amid the chain's creative review.

By Chris Kelly • April 21, 2022

Restaurants leverage delivery boom to reach 4/20 enthusiasts

Promotions from Jack in the Box, Wingstop and others cater to stoners at home as weed experiences wider legalization and mainstream acceptance.

By Peter Adams • April 19, 2022

Panera expands beverage subscription to include all self-serve drinks

For $10.99 per month, customers can access free self-serve drinks. To help inaugurate the program, the company is debuting caffeinated lemonades.

By Aneurin Canham-Clyne • April 19, 2022

Why McDonald's leveraged buzzy Szechuan sauce to boost its app

Promotions like the recent mobile-only offer for Szechuan sauce can onboard more app users and deliver insights into consumer spending habits.

By Robert Williams • April 18, 2022

Gen Z is attracted to flexible restaurant jobs. But what makes them stay?

Positive corporate culture and authentic, charitable missions may be better means to retain these young workers than increased hourly rates amid the Great Resignation, writes Tim Weiderhoft, CEO of Wow Wow Hawaiian Lemonade.

By Tim Weiderhoft • April 14, 2022

Yelp adds eco-friendly business search filter

Searchable attributes like "provides reusable tableware" or "bring your own container allowed" will make it easier for consumers to find businesses that have adopted sustainable practices, the company said.

By Alicia Kelso • April 13, 2022

Baskin-Robbins scoops up brand refresh

The 77-year-old chain encourages people to appreciate life's moments through the tagline "Seize the Yay," an ad campaign, new flavors and merchandise.

By Natalie Koltun • April 12, 2022

IHOP opens International Bank of Pancakes with sunny influencer push

The brand's first loyalty program — which doles out crypto-inspired PanCoins — is supported by creators known for their sense of joy.

By Peter Adams • April 11, 2022

Chipotle lets Roblox players roll virtual burritos into real food

The chain claims the activation is the first time a brand has let users of the metaverse platform exchange in-experience currency for real-world items.

By Chris Kelly • April 5, 2022

Get your slice of the pie

As we enter year three of the pandemic, restaurants are still experimenting with the perfect recipe for boosting customer traffic and profits. Yet one subsection of the industry made it through these tumultuous years largely unscathed: pizzerias.

April 4, 2022

Wendy's opens metaverse restaurant in Horizon Worlds

Teaming with the QSR chain is a major play by Meta to achieve its vision for connecting brands and consumers on a platform it sees as a top priority.

By Chris Kelly • March 31, 2022

Pizza Hut rides 'struggle bus' with experiential push

After a stop at the Final Four, the bus will support college students during exams and host a special episode of Betches dating podcast "U UP?"

By Chris Kelly • March 30, 2022

4 ways data is helping restaurants reinvent themselves in 2022

The value of building long-term relationships with diners can be the difference between meaningful growth or a struggling business, writes Dan Silver, SVP of marketing at GroundTruth.

By Dan Silver • March 28, 2022

Dunkin' CMO departs after 9 months

While Rafael Acevedo's tenure was short, changes overseen by the executive — including naming Anomaly creative AOR — could carry a lasting impact.

By Peter Adams • March 28, 2022