El Pollo Loco rolls out updated, tier-based rewards program

In its first major loyalty revamp since launching the program in 2017, the QSR offers 12 different rewards available within four point levels.

By Julie Littman • April 4, 2023

Noodles & Company adds daily perks to rewards program

The fast casual brand will offer daily perks, like discounts, free upgrades and add-ons, along with existing rewards benefits like early access to menu items.

By Julie Littman • April 3, 2023

Shake Shack powers up ‘Super Mario Bros.’ activation

In advance of the new movie about the Nintendo icons, the chain's DUMBO location will offer special menu items, merchandise and more.

By Chris Kelly • March 30, 2023

KFC nuggets open new front in chicken wars

The nuggets will be available nationwide on March 27 following “wildly successful” market tests in North Carolina. 

By Aneurin Canham-Clyne • March 23, 2023

Panera tests Amazon One palm scanners at 2 cafes

Panera will expand the tech to between 10 and 20 cafes depending on the reception of the initial test, which links Amazon’s palm scanning technology to its loyalty program.

By Aneurin Canham-Clyne • March 22, 2023

Chick-fil-A to roll out updates to rewards program in April

Chick-fil-A One, which has over 50 million members, will offer new items and increased points for redemption on some items starting April 4.

By Julie Littman • March 17, 2023

Subway brings back Footlong Pass subscription

The chain, which sold out 10,000 subscriptions in August in under six hours, is now offering 250,000 passes to rewards members for April redemption. 

By Julie Littman • March 17, 2023

Cinnaholic debuts points-based loyalty program

The 82-unit cinnamon roll brand plans to open 25 units in 2023, and is offering customers a number of minor rewards to incentivize enrollment.

By Aneurin Canham-Clyne • March 14, 2023

Noodles & Company to test dynamic pricing

Digital menu boards will offer not only flexibility in promotions and featured items at the fast casual chain, but could also allow for pricing tweaks.

By Aneurin Canham-Clyne • March 10, 2023

Habit Burger names first global CMO

Jack Hinchliffe, who won awards for marketing at KFC U.K. and Ireland, has moved to the burger chain as Yum Brands looks to keep up rapid growth.

By Aneurin Canham-Clyne • March 9, 2023

Church’s Texas Chicken adds global CMO amid new leadership push

Natalia Franco, who started her role on Monday, joins a slew of recent corporate hires including CFO, CEO and procurement VP. 

By Julie Littman • March 7, 2023

Chipotle adding TikTok viral fajita quesadilla to digital menu

The menu item, which began as a menu hack video on the social media platform, will be available starting Thursday.

By Julie Littman • Feb. 27, 2023

Panera adds annual membership, $0 delivery to drinks subscription

The plan offers customers a roughly 17% discount on the Unlimited Sip Club, whose members account for about 25% of the chain’s traffic. 

By Aneurin Canham-Clyne • Feb. 23, 2023

Shake Shack serves up fine dining experience with White Truffle Menu

Ten Shake Shack restaurants are taking reservations for a prix fixe tasting menu that costs $20 per person.

By Julie Littman • Feb. 22, 2023

Whataburger expands rewards, switches to points-for-dollars model

The chain’s new loyalty program offers customers 10 points per $1 spent, and appears to have a general discount rate between 5.8% and 8.3%.

By Aneurin Canham-Clyne • Updated Feb. 16, 2023

Burger King is fighting to boost sales, restaurant margins

The chain says its $400 million Reclaim The Flame brand overhaul is improving sales and profits despite franchisee difficulties.

By Aneurin Canham-Clyne • Feb. 15, 2023

McDonald’s readies first-ever duo meal with Cardi B and Offset

Timed to Valentine's Day, the effort includes tie-ups with dating apps and a kiss cam billboard in Times Square.

By Chris Kelly , Emma Liem Beckett • Feb. 13, 2023

Yum sales boosted by Pizza Hut Melts, Taco Bell Mexican Pizza

Value-heavy menu items were key to driving visits among lower-income diners, Yum CEO David Gibbs said on the company’s Q4 earnings call.

By Aneurin Canham-Clyne • Feb. 8, 2023

Buffalo Wild Wings promotes Tristan Meline to CMO

The full-service chain promoted the VP of brand management to CMO several months after shifting Buffalo Wild Wings’ previous CMO to Arby’s.

By Aneurin Canham-Clyne • Feb. 7, 2023

Wendy’s first to test Roku, DoorDash deal around shoppable TV ads

The first-of-its-kind partnership lets DoorDash merchants place click-to-order offers within Roku ads that they can attribute, target and measure.

By Chris Kelly • Feb. 7, 2023

Dunkin’ doubles down on loyalty with exclusive latte

Months after retooling its rewards program, the chain has added the Brownie Batter Signature Latte, its first beverage available only to loyalty members.

By Aneurin Canham-Clyne • Feb. 1, 2023

Brinker adds marketing VP at Chili’s

Jesse Johnson enters the newly created role after a stint at Wieden + Kennedy, where he worked on major ad campaigns for KFC and Procter & Gamble.

By Aneurin Canham-Clyne • Jan. 18, 2023

McDonald’s ‘tech-forward’ Lunar New Year push features AI-powered ad

In collaboration with creator Karen X Cheng, the fast food giant is returning to the metaverse and releasing an AR filter on Instagram.

By Chris Kelly • Jan. 12, 2023

Denny’s taps CEC Entertainment exec as CMO

Sherri Landry succeeds John Dillon, who was promoted to president of the chain in the fall, and will be tasked with amplifying Denny’s cultural relevance. 

By Emma Liem Beckett • Jan. 10, 2023

Burger King taps longtime PepsiCo veteran as CMO

Most recently CMO of Mountain Dew, Pat O'Toole will help grow traffic, accelerate sales and support the chain's Reclaim the Flame plan.

By Chris Kelly • Jan. 10, 2023