Marketing

Burger King trolls Chick-fil-A with LGBTQ donations during Pride

The latest escalation of the chicken sandwich wars is a not-so-subtle dig at a company with a history of donating to anti-LGBTQ charities.

By Chris Kelly • June 09, 2021

Sponsored by Atmosphere

The secret sauce to attracting (and keeping) customers? Your TV

The restaurant industry must figure out how to tactfully attract and maintain customers in the face of rapidly changing guidelines and increased competition.

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

Report: Chick-fil-A triples Popeyes' share of chicken sandwich delivery spend

Almost two years after the chicken sandwich wars began, Edison Trends data shows Chick-fil-A captured 41% of money spent, followed by McDonald's and then Popeyes.

By Emma Liem Beckett • June 04, 2021

Delivery companies settle allegations of discrimination in Arizona

The state's attorney general's office claimed promotions offered by DoorDash, Uber Eats and Postmates to waive delivery fees for Black-owned merchants in 2020 discriminated against non-Black-owned restaurants and their patrons.

By Julie Littman • June 04, 2021

McDonald's doubles down on inclusivity with multichannel Pride push

The chain's latest investments in DEI include a virtual celebration on LGBTQ+ TV network Revry and sponsorships in Out Magazine.

By Asa Hiken • June 04, 2021

Sponsored by BentoBox

How to choose a restaurant website design company

Learn how a 100%-hospitality-focused website design company benefits new restaurants.

Sweetgreen refreshes brand identity to spotlight sustainability, focus on 'real food'

The overhaul has been in the works for the past year and is now being implemented across marketing and advertising, social media, physical store design, digital signage, packaging and employee uniforms.

By Peter Adams • May 27, 2021

Q&A

Why Chipotle tapped Discord in its push for fresh recruitment tactics

Chipotle's Director of Talent Acquisition Michael Miller dishes on the burrito giant's hiring event hosted by the instant messaging platform. 

By Katie Clarey • May 26, 2021

Yelp adds LGBTQ-owned business search filter

Searches for LGBTQ-owned businesses on the platform jumped by more than 150% in April versus one year ago.

By Alicia Kelso • May 24, 2021

Donatos turns to 'dinnerviews' to find job applicants

The "dinnerviews" consist of walk-in interviews that don't require an appointment, at which jobs can be offered "on the spot." Applicants will then receive a certificate for a free, large one-topping pizza.

By Kathryn Moody • May 24, 2021

Sponsored by Lamb Weston®

How hashtag holiday-themed limited-time offers can help boost your bottom line

A great way to develop a successful LTO program is by aligning it with hashtag holidays.

McDonald's sued for $10B in damages over alleged racial stereotyping

Allen Media Group claims McDonald's operates a tiered advertising structure that differentiates on the basis of race, an accusation that arrived the same day the chain committed to double its investment in diverse media partners.

By Peter Adams • UPDATED: May 21, 2021 at 9:54 a.m.

Chuck E. Cheese debuts mobile app and rewards program

The eatertainment chain is angling to lure customers with an omnichannel approach that provides incentives for in-store, online and mobile orders. 

By Alicia Kelso • May 20, 2021

Deep Dive

Yum ramps up transformation with new tech deals. How will they impact marketing?

Broader trends in the QSR category and changing media consumption habits could herald a bigger focus on performance marketing, experts suggest.

By Peter Adams • May 17, 2021

Sponsored by Waze

Road trip! How restaurants can reach visitors and locals on the move

As people begin to plan their summer vacations,  here are three insights restaurants can use to get in front of tourists and locals alike. 

Celebrities bring sizzle to new virtual restaurant brands from Nextbite

The SoftBank-backed startup launched a taqueria brand with comedian George Lopez and a "munchie menu" concept with rapper Wiz Khalifa.

By Chris Kelly • May 14, 2021

McDonald's deploys marketing muscle for vaccine awareness in tie-in with Biden admin

The brand's Times Square billboards, McCafé cups and delivery order seal stickers will supply information on vaccines and use art from the national "We Can Do This" campaign.

By Peter Adams • May 11, 2021

McDonald's Q1 bolstered by chicken sandwich, marketing investments

The chain also generated nearly $1.5 billion in digital sales for the period and has over 20 million active app users, which could boost its loyalty program once it comes out of test mode.

By Alicia Kelso • April 30, 2021

Taco Bell turns the moon into a billboard for its first global campaign

While the Taco Moon deal looks to drive in-store traffic when the third-quarter moon is visible, the campaign also pushes the chain's web and app offerings.

By Chris Kelly • April 28, 2021

Domino's resurrects '80s brand icon the Noid to spotlight autonomous delivery

The chain is rolling the dice on Nuro's driverless delivery vehicles taking off in a meaningful way as COVID-19 drives up demand for contactless options.

By Peter Adams • April 26, 2021

Sponsored by Lamb Weston®

How LTOs can help refresh your menu

Learn about the power of LTOs and strategies for building a successful LTO offer.

KFC's US marketing chief, who helped modernize brand with off-the-wall creative, departs

The news marks the second CMO exit from a Yum Brands chain after George Felix left Pizza Hut for Tinder earlier this month.

By Peter Adams • April 16, 2021

Uber Eats is latest app to tap Stories trend

In early tests, 13% of users who clicked through a restaurant's Stories placed an order in the same session.

By Chris Kelly • April 16, 2021

Yelp adds new search filters for Asian-owned businesses

Anti-Asian hate crimes rose in 2020, but support for these businesses is increasing, with searches rising 130% in February on Yelp's platform. 

By Julie Littman • April 07, 2021

Pizza Hut CMO exits amid larger overhaul to marketing operations

The second retooling of marketing leadership in barely over a year speaks to potential COVID-19 pressures, but also comes as Yum Brands is ramping up digital transformation.

By Peter Adams • UPDATED: April 13, 2021 at 10:41 a.m.