Marketing
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Courtesy of Popeyes
Popeyes calls truce to chicken sandwich wars with nugget launch campaign
After instigating a frenzy with its chicken sandwich launch, the chain will donate 1 million nuggets — including those from rivals — to promote its new offering.
By Chris Kelly • July 28, 2021 -
McDonald's creates team to elevate diner experiences
Golden Arches veteran Manu Steijaert will lead the customer experience division in the new position of EVP and global chief customer officer effective Aug. 1.
By Emma Liem Beckett • July 26, 2021 -
Explore the Trendline➔
Permission granted by Homeroom
TrendlineIndependent 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 -
Courtesy of Shake Shack
Shake Shack to invest over $10M in employees
The money will go toward raises, sign-on and retention bonuses and leadership development programs over the next 12 months as restaurant chains battle the labor crisis.
By Emma Liem Beckett • July 22, 2021 -
Courtesy of e.l.f. cosmetics
6 campaigns that stood out amid H1 growth in mobile usage, app spending
Popular apps in the audio, social and video categories are driving growth and helping brands like Chipotle, McDonald's and Burger King reach people.
By Robert Williams • July 14, 2021 -
McDonald's franchisees boosting pay, rolling out child and elder care benefits
Operators surveyed more than 5,000 employees to determine what new offerings, such as tuition coverage and child care, would be most attractive.
By Emma Liem Beckett • UPDATED: July 13, 2021 at 12:25 p.m. -
Courtesy of Panera Bread
Panera tailors swimwear collection to those who eat soup in hot weather
The Swim Soup line's focus on e-commerce aligns with how Dunkin' and McDonald's are attempting to grow loyalty and build out a lifestyle positioning with devoted followers.
By Peter Adams • July 12, 2021 -
Permission granted by Chipotle Mexican Grill
Chipotle hides giveaway codes in NBA Finals ads for a 'game within the game'
The TV spots show the brand drawing a clearer link to its mobile business and building on a popular "Freeting" promotion from 2019.
By Peter Adams • July 08, 2021 -
Permission granted by Alexander Mann Solutions
Report: 47% of diners use at least one loyalty program
The share of consumers using restaurant rewards increased 12% between Jan. 22 and April 22, research from Paytronix and PYMNTS finds.
By Alicia Kelso • June 30, 2021 -
Permission granted by Wendy's
Q&AWendy's CMO on Twitter snark, 'Rick and Morty' and building a $1B breakfast business
Carl Loredo, the chain's marketing chief since 2019, said his overall vision is unchanged by the pandemic, while tactics are evolving to meet tech needs.
By Peter Adams • June 29, 2021 -
Courtesy of Domino's Pizza
Domino's lets customers bet on speediness of carside delivery with DraftKings tie-up
The challenge lets DraftKings users predict whether orders will actually show up in under two minutes for a chance to win a share of a $200,000 pot.
By Peter Adams • June 28, 2021 -
iStock / Jacob Blund
Sponsored by BentoBoxHow to write a restaurant business plan
Learn what to include in a successful restaurant business plan (and get a free template).
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Courtesy of Sweetgreen
How Sweetgreen's in-house agency helps deliver healthy messages
Executive Creative Director Thomas Wilder details his move from the agency world to the fast casual chain and why tennis star Naomi Osaka is a perfect ambassador for the brand, even when facing controversy.
By Chris Kelly • June 25, 2021 -
Courtesy of Chipotle Mexican Grill, Inc.
Chipotle drives interest in loyalty program with racing video game
The lo-fi racing game promotes a new update to Chipotle Rewards and will dole out prizes to select winners, including a 2021 Tesla Model 3.
By Asa Hiken • June 23, 2021 -
OpenTable launches initiative to combat diner no-shows
As part of its "Show-Up for Restaurants" campaign, the booking platform will offer the ability to label a diner as a potential no-show based on past activity.
By Alicia Kelso • June 22, 2021 -
Courtesy of Dunkin'
Dunkin' taps Coke marketing vet as US CMO following two-year search
Rafael Acevedo will shepherd a wide range of marketing functions, including digital initiatives, as the chain navigates the pandemic reopening.
By Peter Adams • UPDATED: June 22, 2021 at 9 a.m. -
Permission granted by Planalytics
Sponsored by Planalytics4 ways restaurants leverage weather analytics
No other external factor changes consumer demand as frequently, immediately and meaningfully as the weather.
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Courtesy of Popeyes
Popeyes launches its first loyalty program
The move comes as Popeyes' digital sales make up about 14% of total sales in the U.S. and have contributed to the chain's continued double-digit same-store sales growth throughout the COVID-19 crisis.
By Alicia Kelso • June 17, 2021 -
Courtesy of KFC Canada
How Yum Brands generates sales, cultural impact with a three-pronged marketing framework
Former CEO Greg Creed and CMO Ken Muench went deep on an R.E.D. strategy — also the subject of their new book — that has turned brands like Taco Bell into category trendsetters.
By Peter Adams • June 17, 2021 -
Courtesy of Jack in the Box
Jack in the Box duets with Jason Derulo on virtual restaurant brand
One in a Milli will be exclusively available to diners in Los Angeles via Uber Eats, and launches as the chain plans to open up to eight ghost kitchens in three states through Reef Technology this summer.
By Chris Kelly • June 15, 2021 -
Retrieved from Chipotle Mexican Grill, Inc. on June 14, 2021
Chipotle airs first national TV ad starring athlete as hype around Olympics builds
A spot featuring soccer player Julie Ertz promotes the brand's largest celebrity-curated menu to date, which is only available on digital and mobile channels.
By Peter Adams • June 14, 2021 -
Permission granted by BentoBox / Evan Sung
Sponsored by BentoBoxThe 9 essential elements of a restaurant website
How does your restaurant’s website stack up? Learn the nine essential elements of a restaurant website.
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Courtesy of Burger King
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 -
andresr via Getty Images
Sponsored by AtmosphereThe 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.
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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 -
Permission granted by DoorDash
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
