Marketing
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Courtesy of McDonald's
McDonald’s amplifies mobile app with Pokémon Happy Meal
The burger chain is again wedding pop culture and nostalgia with a Happy Meal box inclusive of a Pokémon booster pack, poster and sticker sheet.
By Jessica Deyo • Jan. 22, 2025 -
Permission granted by Panera Bread
Panera hires marketing, culinary executives
Robin Seward joins the chain as senior vice president, brand and innovation, while Scott Uehlein was hired as vice president of culinary.
By Julie Littman • Jan. 14, 2025 -
Robert Way via Getty Images
Baskin-Robbins’ new loyalty program aims to balance simplicity and variety
Baskin-Robbins Rewards, which launched in December, aims to make it easy for customers to earn rewards while offering a variety of redemption options.
By Bryan Wassel • Updated Jan. 15, 2025 -
Courtesy of Papa Johns
Why Papa Johns wants market density, not more territories
The pizza chain’s biggest growth opportunities lie in markets where it already has a presence, executives told investors in December.
By Aneurin Canham-Clyne • Jan. 13, 2025 -
Spencer Platt via Getty Images
Starbucks hands Anomaly US creative duties in blow to WPP: report
WPP, which only won the account in October, established a bespoke Team Starbucks unit to support the coffee chain’s turnaround plan.
By Peter Adams • Jan. 9, 2025 -
Courtesy of Taco Bell
Taco Bell adds $5 and $9 meal combos
A year after launching its $7 Luxe Cravings Boxes, Taco Bell is building out its value combo offerings with a cheaper choice and a more premium option.
By Aneurin Canham-Clyne • Jan. 7, 2025 -
Courtesy of McDonald's
McDonald’s value menu launch gets inspirational boost from John Cena
The actor-wrestler appears in new ads that turn into a oddball spiel about the transformational power of the McValue platform.
By Peter Adams • Jan. 7, 2025 -
Courtesy of Subway
Subway launches sub of the day deal
After the early end of its $6.99 meal, Subway is stepping back into the value wars with a meal deal for every day of the week.
By Aneurin Canham-Clyne • Jan. 6, 2025 -
Courtesy of Del Taco
Del Taco adds new burritos and value bundles
The chain’s same-store sales shrank considerably last quarter, though its value messaging may be starting to work, company leadership said.
By Aneurin Canham-Clyne • Jan. 3, 2025 -
Retrieved from Dunkin on January 02, 2025
Dunkin’ gets racy with Sabrina Carpenter in ‘Shake That Ess’ campaign
Carpenter’s hit single “Espresso” served as inspiration for a new limited-time beverage that is accompanied by ads punning on profanity.
By Peter Adams • Jan. 3, 2025 -
Courtesy of Domino's Pizza
Q&ADomino’s CMO on how Emergency Pizzas meet consumers where they are
Kate Trumbull and Matt Talbot, co-founder of the brand’s AOR WorkInProgress, explain how last year’s marketing efforts set up the chain for 2025.
By Chris Kelly • Jan. 2, 2025 -
Courtesy of Starbucks
Inside Starbucks’ very long, very bad 2024
Traffic declines and labor strife kept the chain mired in trouble despite a CEO switch up and product launches aimed at reviving its fortunes.
By Aneurin Canham-Clyne • Jan. 2, 2025 -
Courtesy of Momofuku
Deep DiveFrom restaurant to retail: How Michelin-starred brands are infiltrating the grocery store
The channel provides establishments such as Momofuku and Carbone with new revenue streams and an opportunity to connect more consumers.
By Chris Casey • Dec. 20, 2024 -
Joel Carillet via Getty Images
Restaurant gift card sales up 17% during Thanksgiving weekend: report
In addition to gift card sales growth, Patronix reported an uptick in in-store purchases versus digital compared to the same period last year.
By Julie Littman • Dec. 20, 2024 -
Neal McNeil via Getty Images
FTC excludes restaurants from junk fee rule
In another regulatory victory for restaurants, the Federal Trade Commission backtracked on including restaurant fees in its price transparency rule.
By Aneurin Canham-Clyne • Dec. 19, 2024 -
Courtesy of Taco Bell
Taco Bell adds chicken nuggets to menu
The nationwide rollout, which will happen Thursday, follows successful regional market tests in Minneapolis and Houston.
By Aneurin Canham-Clyne • Dec. 18, 2024 -
Courtesy of P.F. Chang's
P.F. Chang’s finds new CMO in Ticketmaster, PepsiCo marketer
Sonika Patel is tasked with providing strategic vision and execution across all brand and digital marketing touchpoints for the casual dining chain.
By Chris Kelly • Dec. 17, 2024 -
Courtesy of Papa Johns
Why Todd Penegor wants Papa Johns to make more pizzas
Menu innovation may drive customer trial, but that doesn’t strengthen the brand’s core appeal, the chain’s CEO said during an investor event.
By Aneurin Canham-Clyne • Dec. 12, 2024 -
Permission granted by 7 Brew
7 Brew hires KFC vet as first CMO
Nick Chavez joins the fast-growing brand after three years at KFC U.S. and will help with restaurant launches and expand the coffee chain’s loyalty program.
By Julie Littman • Dec. 11, 2024 -
Permission granted by Yelp
Yelp enhances platform with more personalized home feeds
The review platform added over 20 features, such as AI-powered review insights and enhancements to its business product suite.
By Julie Littman • Dec. 10, 2024 -
Courtesy of Smashburger
Smashburger’s CMO on righting the brand’s course with a new visual identity
New chief marketer Thomas Prather says the fast casual chain was “adrift” after adjustments made during the pandemic period.
By Chris Kelly • Dec. 9, 2024 -
Permission granted by Taco Bell Corp.
Taco Bell’s drive-thru cameras give diners a shot at Super Bowl cameos
Rewards members who stop by the touring camera stations to snap a pic have a chance to be featured in the brand’s big game ad.
By Peter Adams • Dec. 3, 2024 -
Courtesy of Maggiano's Little Italy
Maggiano’s appoints KFC exec to marketing role
Mike Wesley, who spent 14 years in marketing positions at the fried chicken brand, will help the casual chain amplify brand awareness and drive marketing and promotional activities.
By Julie Littman • Dec. 2, 2024 -
Permission granted by GoTo Foods
GoTo Foods names former IHOP exec as chief commercial officer
Kieran Donahue will oversee various aspects of the commercial division, including marketing, branding and consumer insights and analytics.
By Julie Littman • Nov. 19, 2024 -
Courtesy of Peet's Coffee
Deep DiveHow do coffee chains design, market and analyze their seasonal LTOs?
While flexibility is important, many brands plan coffee LTOs more than a year in advance, meaning next year’s holiday drinks are already in the works at places like Peet’s and Dutch Bros.
By Aneurin Canham-Clyne • Nov. 19, 2024
