McDonald's hosts marketing boot camp with nonprofit to diversify talent pipeline

Participants will operate a pop-up agency and have the opportunity to interview for positions with Wieden + Kennedy and The Golin Group.

By Chris Kelly • June 7, 2022

The restaurant industry is reaching a tipping point – here's what to do now

In an environment of rising prices, well-timed incentive marketing campaigns can inspire action with your guests.

June 6, 2022

Fueled up or out of gas?

How restaurants can best draw in additional foot traffic with a mix of strategic advertising strategies and promotions this summer.

May 31, 2022

Pizza Hut, Jimmy John's tie first metaverse experiments to real-world rewards

Visitors to the sandwich chain's virtual restaurant can build and order a "Metasandwich," while the pizza marketer is dropping into ComplexLand.

By Peter Adams • May 26, 2022

Carl's Jr. and Hardee's head to 'Jurassic World' as $500M brand transformation looms

Chief Brand Officer Chad Crawford details how the brands are leveraging digital content across Uber and Lyft vehicles, Snapchat, TikTok and Waze.

By Chris Kelly • May 26, 2022

Noodles & Company gamifies mobile rewards to boost loyalty

The chain saw a ninefold gain in click-through rates while generating $71 for every 100 emails it sent to app users via a loyalty promotion.

By Robert Williams • May 20, 2022

Domino's grants 'Stranger Things' fans 'mind-ordering' powers through new app

An immersive mobile experience tied to the Netflix show’s return uses facial recognition and eye-tracking technology to help users order pizza.

By Peter Adams • Updated May 17, 2022

Starbucks builds out 'third place' with foray into NFTs

As a means to build a community around coffee, the chain will link the upcoming digital tokens to exclusive content and perks.

By Natalie Black (Koltun) • May 6, 2022

Burger King taps new agencies after year of marketing tumult

Among other appointments, independent shop OKRP replaces WPP's David as the burger chain's creative agency in a bid for greater cultural relevancy. 

By Chris Kelly • May 5, 2022

Sweetgreen's ambassador team adds NBA's Devin Booker with TikTok-inspired spot

A celebrity-backed "Create Your Own" campaign looks to boost the chain's digital orders, which made up 65% of sales last quarter.

By Chris Kelly • May 3, 2022

Panera partners with T-Pain and Ntwrk to promote chicken sandwich

The rapper will host a day of merchandise drops on the shopping app, including a line of items branded with Panera’s logo and images of its chicken sandwich.

By Sara Karlovitch • May 2, 2022

McDonald's spotlights Latino film talent to boost industry representation

In partnership with "Encanto" star Stephanie Beatriz, the chain will give the winner of a short film contest a chance to work on initiatives and campaigns.

By Chris Kelly • April 28, 2022

KFC preps chicken bouquets alongside new 'Finger Lickin' Good' creative

Eyeing younger audiences, the Mother's Day promotion follows its first campaign under new AOR MullenLowe.

By Chris Kelly • April 27, 2022

Taco Bell takes drag brunch on tour at Cantina locations

The experiential concept came from Live Más Pride, an LGBT employee resource group, and caters to the brand's most loyal rewards members.

By Peter Adams • April 25, 2022

Burger King offers free fries every week to loyalty members

Royal Perks members can access the offering for the rest of 2022, which could differentiate Burger King from rivals who charge subscriptions for free food.

By Aneurin Canham-Clyne • April 25, 2022

Managing your online reputation during a global crisis

If your restaurant is impacted due to its name or presumed affiliation with an ongoing conflict, such as the Russian invasion of Ukraine, you need to act quickly, writes Monica Ho, CMO of SOCi Inc.

By Monica Ho • April 21, 2022

Burger King ponders confusing times as plant-based push continues

The effort promotes plant-based chicken nuggets by highlighting daily paradoxes and comes amid the chain's creative review.

By Chris Kelly • April 21, 2022

Restaurants leverage delivery boom to reach 4/20 enthusiasts

Promotions from Jack in the Box, Wingstop and others cater to stoners at home as weed experiences wider legalization and mainstream acceptance.

By Peter Adams • April 19, 2022

Panera expands beverage subscription to include all self-serve drinks

For $10.99 per month, customers can access free self-serve drinks. To help inaugurate the program, the company is debuting caffeinated lemonades.

By Aneurin Canham-Clyne • April 19, 2022

Why McDonald’s leveraged buzzy Szechuan sauce to boost its app

Promotions like the recent mobile-only offer for Szechuan sauce can onboard more app users and deliver insights into consumer spending habits.

By Robert Williams • April 18, 2022

Gen Z is attracted to flexible restaurant jobs. But what makes them stay?

Positive corporate culture and authentic, charitable missions may be better means to retain these young workers than increased hourly rates amid the Great Resignation, writes Tim Weiderhoft, CEO of Wow Wow Hawaiian Lemonade.

By Tim Weiderhoft • April 14, 2022

Yelp adds eco-friendly business search filter

Searchable attributes like "provides reusable tableware" or "bring your own container allowed" will make it easier for consumers to find businesses that have adopted sustainable practices, the company said.

By Alicia Kelso • April 13, 2022

Baskin-Robbins scoops up brand refresh

The 77-year-old chain encourages people to appreciate life's moments through the tagline "Seize the Yay," an ad campaign, new flavors and merchandise.

By Natalie Black (Koltun) • April 12, 2022

IHOP opens International Bank of Pancakes with sunny influencer push

The brand's first loyalty program — which doles out crypto-inspired PanCoins — is supported by creators known for their sense of joy.

By Peter Adams • April 11, 2022

Chipotle lets Roblox players roll virtual burritos into real food

The chain claims the activation is the first time a brand has let users of the metaverse platform exchange in-experience currency for real-world items.

By Chris Kelly • April 5, 2022