Starbucks boosts loyalty membership by 13% following switch to spend-based program

Rewards members made up 41% of U.S. sales last quarter, pointing to how the coffee chain's mobile strategy helps to solidify relationships with key customers and drive repeat sales.

By Robert Williams • April 29, 2019

Ad Age: Taco Bell sponsors Bleacher Report's NBA-focused Instagram account

The fast food chain is the first to sponsor House of Highlights on a weekly basis.

By Robert Williams • April 29, 2019

KFC drops sexy Mother's Day video

Dessert biscuits from Cinnabon and a video starring a Colonel Sanders-inspired Chippendales dancer ripping off his shirt are part of the push for one of the chain's busiest days of the year.

By Dianna Christe • April 26, 2019

Chipotle doubles digital sales in Q1

The fast casual chain's sales comps for the period were up nearly 10% thanks to rapid growth from its new loyalty program and ongoing promotions and marketing initiatives. 

By Julie Littman • April 25, 2019

How do you create an air of authenticity when your brand is virtual?

With online ordering revolutionizing the takeaway food industry, "virtual restaurants" still need a physical presence to put a human face to their brand, argues James Rix, CEO of Crowdify Global.

By James Rix • April 22, 2019

45% of diners have tried a restaurant because of social media

A new study from marketing agency MGH revealed that 74% of U.S. consumers are more likely to visit or order from an establishment that engages with its social media fans. 

By Alicia Kelso • April 22, 2019

Taco Bell pens open letter pushing fans to take down Taco Tuesday

The "Taco reBELLion" campaign appears to parody the recent spate of cause-driven, politically charged marketing from other brands.

By Peter Adams • April 18, 2019

Having to share personal data turns consumers away from loyalty programs, study says

Conversely, 76% of surveyed Americans said they would be more likely to join a program that required just their name and phone number.

By Laura Klepacki and Emma Liem • April 18, 2019

Dunkin' pilots multi-tender options for loyalty program

Allowing customers to earn rewards no matter how they pay should keep the brand competitive while Starbucks and others revamp their programs to make it easier to earn points.

By Lauren Manning • April 17, 2019

Rethinking the brand experience beyond space and size

Without designing for experience, an overemphasis on size will leave customers hungry for more, says innovation agency T3's president Ben Gaddis.

By Ben Gaddis • April 12, 2019

KFC parodies influencers with CGI hipster Colonel Sanders

The chain handed its Instagram account over to the "Virtual Influencer Colonel" and partnered with Dr. Pepper, TurboTax and Old Spice for the campaign.

By Robert Williams • April 11, 2019

Caffè Nero cracks open Easter egg hunt for app users

The campaign returns for a second year after spurring 100,000 app downloads and 300,000 "egg-agements" in 2018.

By Robert Williams • April 11, 2019

Dig Inn lands $20M led by Danny Meyer-backed investor, will expand into full-service

The farm-to-table plans to open a sit-down location in New York City, in a move that bucks the industry trend of casual dining chain's launching fast casual concepts to drive growth. 

By Kevin Whiteley • April 10, 2019

Benihana enters sports arenas with AEG partnership

The restaurant is bringing its teppanyaki tables and performing chefs to 400- and 550-square-foot units in Dignity Health Sports Park and Sprint Center as casual chains look to nontraditional channels for growth.

By Kevin Whiteley • April 8, 2019

Taco Bell launches 'hiring parties' to beef up labor force

The Mexican QSR is using a different approach to hire workers in a tight labor market, hosting 600 events where prospective workers can partake in on-the-spot interviews and speak with employees and managers. 

By Emma Liem Beckett • April 5, 2019

Subway launches sandwich created with Tastemade data

The media brand's data-driven insights will help the chain offer locally relevant menu items for U.S. diners, such as the Green Goddess Tuna Melt. 

By Lauren Manning • April 4, 2019

Restaurant operators chase delivery, value menus to drive growth

A TD Bank survey found that 71% of franchisees feel pressure to expand and plan to turn to delivery, value meals, remodeling and mobile technology to boost performance.

By Alicia Kelso • April 3, 2019

Chipotle spurs 5x surge in loyalty app downloads, analyst says

Within a week of the nationwide rollout​, Chipotle Rewards registered its one-millionth member, according to an industry analyst at Barclays Capital.

By Robert Williams • April 3, 2019

Taco Bell launches vegetarian menu nationwide

Months after an April pilot at 200 Dallas stores, the chain will add a dedicated vegetarian menu to its revamped menu that will be released on Thursday.

By Kevin Whiteley • Updated Sept. 11, 2019

Burger King will roll out Impossible Whoppers nationwide

Burger King will be the largest chain to offer the product systemwide, a move that could spur rival burger brands to launch plant-based patties of their own. 

By Kevin Whiteley • Updated April 29, 2019

Major League Baseball quietly resumes Papa John's partnership

Bringing back its "Papa Slam" promotion alongside the MLB season may be what the beleaguered pizza chain needs to help boost declining sales. 

By Alicia Kelso • April 1, 2019

McDonald's makes millennial black consumers top priority with extensive 'campaign movement'

"Black & Positively Golden" is the chain's most significant effort targeted at African-Americans in 16 years and specifically courts younger consumers.

By Peter Adams • April 1, 2019

Buffalo Wild Wings shames fans on Instagram for not watching March Madness

The full-service chain is increasing its brand awareness through a new campaign that targets Instagram users hesitant to watch the NCAA tournament. 

By Robert Williams • March 29, 2019

Dunkin' and Peeps hit the road for spring-themed campaign

Dunkin's coffee car and the Peepsmobile will journey together through New England to dish out new marshmallow-flavored coffee and Peeps doughnuts.

By Erica Sweeney • March 29, 2019

Can a new CMO provide Papa John's the boost it needs?

After nearly a year without a top marketing executive, Karlin Linhardt will take over the role at the pizza chain where he will help differentiate the brand.

By Alicia Kelso • March 29, 2019