Marketing
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Courtesy of Fuzzy's Taco Shop
Fuzzy’s Taco Shop taps Applebee’s vet as CMO
In his new role, Patrick Kirk will oversee all aspects of marketing, including advertising, digital marketing and culinary and beverage innovation.
By Julie Littman • April 23, 2024 -
Permission granted by MOD Pizza
Mod Pizza hires Raising Cane’s exec as CMO
Jennifer Anderson brings nearly two decades of marketing and culinary experience to her new position, where she will oversee digital marketing, menu development and consumer insights and engagement.
By Julie Littman • April 17, 2024 -
Explore the Trendline➔
Permission granted by Homeroom
TrendlineIndependent 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 -
Courtesy of Krispy Kreme
Krispy Kreme switching to points-based loyalty scheme
Loyalty members will earn 10 points for every dollar spent starting April 23 as the chain shifts away from a consistent 8.3% discount rate on rewards.
By Aneurin Canham-Clyne • April 17, 2024 -
Courtesy of Team Whistle
Applebee’s taps NFL star as undercover server to promote new burger
To promote the menu item, the chain partnered with Team Whistle on an episode of “Undercover Athlete” that features wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk.
By Jessica Deyo • April 15, 2024 -
Permission granted by Wow Bao
Wow Bao links restaurant rewards to Roblox in platform-first integration
Metaverse hype may have dissipated, but brands remain interested in leveraging games like Roblox to connect with Gen Z and Gen Alpha.
By Peter Adams • April 11, 2024 -
Patpitchaya via Getty Images
Dynamic pricing firm Juicer snags $5.3M in funding
Restaurant pricing tools may help operators boost sales in lagging dayparts, but consumer sensitivity about these applications is still powerful.
By Aneurin Canham-Clyne • April 10, 2024 -
Courtesy of KFC
KFC adds $4.99 meal deal through year’s end
As restaurants across the board face dwindling traffic, the chicken chain is leaning on aggressive discounting to draw customers.
By Aneurin Canham-Clyne • April 8, 2024 -
Courtesy of Tekken 8
Chipotle levels up gaming efforts with Tekken 8 in-game perks, menu item
As an official partner of the fighting game, Chipotle will also make Tekken 8 the title game for the return of its Challenger Series esports competition.
By Jessica Deyo • April 8, 2024 -
Courtesy of Chipotle
Chipotle dishes out $1M in free burritos with Burrito Vault mobile game
Timed to National Burrito Day, the interactive web game tasked consumers to correctly guess two exact order combinations to score a promotional code.
By Aaron Baar • April 4, 2024 -
Courtesy of Papa Johns
Q&AHow Papa Johns’ new brand platform connects pizza to marketing transformation
CMO Mark Shambura delves into the “Better Get You Some” campaign, the evolution of the chief marketer role and the chain’s commitment to DEI.
By Chris Kelly • April 2, 2024 -
Brandon Bell via Getty Images
McDonald’s, NielsenIQ team for Cultural Relevance ad-testing module
By analyzing the role and effectiveness of cultural factors in content, this solution can help advertisers deliver more impactful and inclusive ads.
By Jessica Deyo • March 27, 2024 -
Thai Phi Le/Restaurant Dive
OpinionDynamic offers done right: Why Wendy’s was on the right track
Unlike surge pricing, dynamic pricing can enhance brand loyalty and foster a sense of community engagement beyond traditional marketing methods, writes Catherine Tabor, founder and CEO of Sparkfly.
By Catherine Tabor • March 20, 2024 -
Courtesy of Starbucks, Joshua Trujillo
Starbucks adds regional CEOs, eliminates CMO post
The chain added CEOs for its North America and international divisions to give those regions more autonomy as it pursues its ambitious reinvention plan.
By Aneurin Canham-Clyne • March 19, 2024 -
Courtesy of Starbucks
Starbucks shutters NFT beta test
On March 31, Starbucks Odyssey Beta — a major restaurant effort to capitalize on Web3 hype — will end 18 months after it was announced.
By Aneurin Canham-Clyne • March 18, 2024 -
Permission granted by Noodles & Company
Noodles & Company names Drew Madsen CEO, preps for menu overhaul
After three quarters of sliding sales, Madsen will oversee menu changes and digital strategies to woo lapsed and new customers after a tough year.
By Aneurin Canham-Clyne • March 8, 2024 -
Courtesy of Starbucks
Starbucks debuts 2 iced lavender drinks for spring
The matcha and latte LTOs aren’t part of the new beverage platforms announced earlier this year, but capitalize on growing sales of cold beverages and tea-based lattes.
By Aneurin Canham-Clyne • March 7, 2024 -
Permission granted by Tri Star Energy
Twice Daily expands made-to-order menu
The retailer has added wraps to its custom foodservice program, which expanded to all 200-plus locations last year.
By Brett Dworski • March 5, 2024 -
Courtesy of Chipotle
These 4 restaurant companies totaled $50B in 2023 digital sales
Yum, Restaurant Brands International, Wendy’s and Chipotle continue to invest in consumer-facing features including app enhancements, loyalty offerings and kiosks to grow their digital mixes.
By Julie Littman • March 1, 2024 -
Justin Sullivan via Getty Images
Chuck E. Cheese tests tiered subscription service in CA, AZ
The membership, which will be trialed at 13 stores, offers customers free game play points and steep discounts on food and beverage options.
By Aneurin Canham-Clyne • Updated March 1, 2024 -
Permission granted by Berry Global
Wendy’s backtracks on dynamic pricing
The company said Tuesday that it would not charge higher prices during peak hours. This statement follows widespread consumer backlash on social media in response to mention of a dynamic pricing test in its Q4 earnings call.
By Aneurin Canham-Clyne • Feb. 28, 2024 -
Courtesy of Domino's
Domino’s loyalty relaunch draws 2M new members
Strengthened by its emergency pizza marketing stunt, Domino’s updated rewards program helped bolster traffic and comparable sales.
By Aneurin Canham-Clyne • Feb. 26, 2024 -
Permission granted by Focus Brands
Focus Brands renames itself GoTo Foods
The name change is designed to highlight the value its brand portfolio, including Moe’s Southwest Grill, Auntie Anne’s, Carvel and Cinnabon, offers to consumers and franchisees.
By Aneurin Canham-Clyne • Feb. 20, 2024 -
Courtesy of Starbucks
Starbucks, Bank of America tie up loyalty programs
Eligible Bank of America card holders can link their Starbucks rewards account to earn 2% cashback on qualifying purchases and one star for every $2 spent at the coffee chain.
By Aneurin Canham-Clyne • Feb. 15, 2024 -
Permission granted by Whataburger
Whataburger hires CMO
Scott Hudler joins the chain effective Feb. 21 and has significant experience leading restaurant marketing at Torchy’s Tacos and Dunkin’.
By Aneurin Canham-Clyne • Feb. 15, 2024 -
Courtesy of Wendy's
Wendy’s to spend $55M on breakfast ads
The burger chain hopes the marketing push will boost North American sales in the daypart to $6,000 a week per restaurant.
By Aneurin Canham-Clyne • Feb. 15, 2024
