Marketing: Page 3

  • Four McDonald's figurines designed by Cactus Plant Flea Market encircle a Happy Meal placed on a red table against a sky-blue backdrop.
    Image attribution tooltip
    Permission granted by McDonald's USA

    Deja vu? McDonald’s adult Happy Meals raise specter of past promos run awry

    Kotaku pointed to posts from overwhelmed employees on Reddit and TikTok, while a budding resale market underpins strong demand for the meals.

    By Peter Adams • Updated Oct. 10, 2022
  • A picture of branding on a Dunkin' location
    Image attribution tooltip
    Courtesy of Dunkin'

    Dunkin’ rewards members can now earn points twice as fast

    The chain’s new offering, Dunkin’ Rewards, lowers the threshold to start redeeming points and increases flexibility in how customers can use rewards. 

    By • Oct. 7, 2022
  • A group of diverse young people eat Burger King in front of a grey house.
    Image attribution tooltip
    Courtesy of Burger King

    Burger King crowns the consumer king with new ‘You Rule’ tagline

    A new campaign debuting Oct. 10 puts the focus on customized orders and is part of a larger brand revitalization effort meant to combat sluggish sales.

    By Sara Karlovitch • Oct. 7, 2022
  • Revamped Jamba smoothie-making robot
    Image attribution tooltip
    Permission granted by Jamba by Blendid

    Jamba gives smoothie robot human-esque makeover

    The first revamped bot debuted at the Ackerman Student Union on UCLA’s campus in Los Angeles, and will soon roll out to more locations.

    By • Oct. 6, 2022
  • An image fo Arby's incoming CMO, Rita Patel
    Image attribution tooltip
    Courtesy of Arby's

    Inspire moves Buffalo Wild Wings CMO to Arby’s

    Rita Patel will be responsible for the brand’s strategy, menu changes, advertising and marketing communications.

    By • Oct. 5, 2022
  • Pete Davidson for Taco Bell
    Image attribution tooltip
    Courtesy of Taco Bell

    Pete Davidson pairs new Taco Bell breakfast item with an apology

    The Breakfast Crunchwrap reflects an effort by the QSR to reach consumers looking for comfort and familiarity in the morning.

    By Sara Karlovitch • Oct. 4, 2022
  • Four McDonald's figurines designed by Cactus Plant Flea Market encircle a Happy Meal placed on a red table against a sky-blue backdrop.
    Image attribution tooltip
    Permission granted by McDonald's USA

    McDonald’s repackages Happy Meals for adults with cult streetwear label

    Meant to invoke nostalgia, the menu bundles come with unique art and collectible figurines as the chain tries to align with pop culture tastemakers.

    By Peter Adams • Sept. 30, 2022
  • One of P.F. Chang's flagship locations.
    Image attribution tooltip
    Courtesy of P.F. Chang's

    P.F. Chang’s adds subscription tier to loyalty program

    The monthly $6.99 service, which offers rewards and unlimited delivery, is one of few such programs among casual chains, CEO Damola Adamolekun said.

    By • Sept. 28, 2022
  • Image from Sonic's "Mmm Sonic" campaign
    Image attribution tooltip
    Courtesy of Sonic

    Why Sonic drove away from in-car commercials for its latest campaign

    CMO Lori Abou Habib explains the food-focused change and how the QSR has benefited from parent Inspire Brands' bespoke media unit within Publicis.

    By Chris Kelly • Sept. 28, 2022
  • A selection of Carl's Jr. and Hardee's food with new branding
    Image attribution tooltip
    Courtesy of CKE Restaurants Holdings, Inc.

    Carl’s Jr., Hardee’s refresh brand identity with flavor as inspiration

    The changes will debut in an ad campaign and come months after parent company CKE announced plans for a $500 million brand transformation.

    By Chris Kelly • Sept. 23, 2022
  • Dunkin's digital store
    Image attribution tooltip
    Permission granted by Dunkin'

    Dunkin’ promotes architect behind next-gen push to CMO

    Jill McVicar Nelson, who’s been with Dunkin’ since 2011, has spearheaded several menu offerings targeted at the “next generation of guests.”

    By Peter Adams • Sept. 22, 2022
  • The image shows a row of drinks, including coffee and soda, available through Panera's Unlimited Sip Club
    Image attribution tooltip
    Courtesy of Panera

    Panera will allow loyalty customers to choose rewards

    MyPanera members, who already receive perks based on frequency of visits, spend and preferences, will have multiple options to redeem instead of pre-selected rewards. 

    By • Sept. 20, 2022
  • Starbucks Pumpkin Spice Latte
    Image attribution tooltip
    Courtesy of Starbucks

    Report: Starbucks, Dunkin’ score traffic bump from pumpkin spice lattes

    Placer.ai finds visits at Starbucks and Dunkin’ rose nearly 26% and nearly 10%, respectively, in the week following their fall menu launches.

    By Alicia Kelso • Sept. 20, 2022
  • Singer Chloë Bailey blows a gum bubble as part of a Trident campaign
    Image attribution tooltip
    Courtesy of Mondelēz International, Inc.

    Why brands are creating original songs for TikTok

    McDonald's, Pizza Hut and Trident are among the marketers updating a cultural tactic for the top social platform.

    By Chris Kelly • Sept. 19, 2022
  • White Castle launched a loyalty program nationwide September 2020.
    Image attribution tooltip
    Courtesy of White Caslte

    Study: Consumers return to dine-in and want loyalty programs

    Nearly 90% of diners are interested in joining a loyalty program, especially if it offers savings, as inflation impacts spending, a TouchBistro survey finds. 

    By Alicia Kelso • Sept. 15, 2022
  • Chipotle Garlic Guajillo Steak metaverse
    Image attribution tooltip
    Courtesy of Chipotle

    Chipotle launches its Garlic Guajillo Steak in the metaverse

    The chain says the menu item, which will debut in the Chipotle Grill Simulator on Roblox, is the first from a restaurant brand to launch in the metaverse.

    By Alicia Kelso • Sept. 13, 2022
  • Burger King gets a fresh look
    Image attribution tooltip
    Courtesy of Burger King

    RBI announces $400M marketing and remodel overhaul for Burger King

    The company’s programs, Fuel the Flame and Royal Reset, aim to modernize the brand and remodel 800 restaurants by the end of 2025.

    By • Sept. 12, 2022
  • A promotional image for Starbucks NFT marketplace, Starbucks Odyssey.
    Image attribution tooltip
    Courtesy of Starbucks

    Starbucks is launching an NFT marketplace

    Starbucks Odyssey will let users buy tokens and accrue loyalty rewards to unlock access to real-life and digital events, like virtual cocktail classes.

    By • Sept. 12, 2022
  • A green co-branded Wendy's and 'Rick and Morty' logo and Uber Eats bag flank cartoon versions of new sandwiches and drinks from the restaurant chain.
    Image attribution tooltip
    Permission granted by Wendy's

    Wendy’s latest ‘Rick and Morty’ crossover opens portal to Uber Eats

    Delivery continues to be a focus of the partnership as the reference-heavy Adult Swim series enshrines its place in the pop culture conversation.

    By Peter Adams • Sept. 7, 2022
  • A person holds a smartphone showing the Starbucks app
    Image attribution tooltip
    Courtesy of Starbucks

    What Starbucks’ bet on NFTs says about the future of loyalty

    The chain's renowned rewards program adds a buzzy new value-grab, potentially laying a course for other marketers to follow.

    By Aaron Baar • Sept. 6, 2022
  • Image attribution tooltip
    Scott Olson via Getty Images

    Survey: 88% of restaurant operators have neutral or positive outlook for 2023

    Most operators say customers haven't reacted much to price changes, though 91% have raised prices, according to a Rewards Network report.

    By • Sept. 6, 2022
  • An image of a white and red restaurant with Krystal on the signage
    Image attribution tooltip
    Permission granted by Krystal

    Krystal’s prototypes spark new life for once-bankrupt brand

    Two years after a new owner bought Krystal out of Chapter 11, the brand plans to scale to 500 restaurants by 2027.

    By • Sept. 1, 2022
  • An image of a building with "Rubio's Coastal Grill" on the outside.
    Image attribution tooltip
    Permission granted by Rubio's Coastal Grill

    Rubio’s Coastal Grill introduces a new rewards program

    Rubio’s Rewards allows customers to cash in points in exchange for free menu items, with diners earning 10 points for every dollar spent. 

    By Alicia Kelso • Aug. 31, 2022
  • McDonald's Black & Positively Golden Change Leaders
    Image attribution tooltip
    Courtesy of McDonald's

    McDonald’s launches new program to support Black community leaders

    The chain will select 10 applicants to receive financial resources and advertising support for their community-driven missions. 

    By Alicia Kelso • Aug. 29, 2022
  • NFL quarterback Matthew Stafford stands and holds a Little Caesars pizza box
    Image attribution tooltip
    Courtesy of Little Caesars Pizza

    Little Caesars deepens new NFL deal with TV spot, promotion

    Amid its first moves as official pizza of the league, the chain partnered with Super Bowl-winning quarterback Matthew Stafford for a TV spot.

    By Chris Kelly • Aug. 29, 2022