Dunkin' offers drive-thru weddings for Valentine's Day

Interest remains strong in the romantic holiday but marketing must reflect how consumers plan to celebrate differently because of the ongoing pandemic. 

By Robert Williams • Jan. 29, 2021

DoorDash rides with Daveed Diggs, 'Sesame Street' for first Super Bowl ad

A reimagination of the "People in Your Neighborhood" song from the children's show highlights all the things that people can order via the app.

By Robert Williams • Jan. 25, 2021

Chipotle's debut Super Bowl spot highlights support for local farmers

The ad's themes reflect how Chipotle believes the coronavirus has changed consumer behavior, with a greater importance on community.

By Robert Williams • Jan. 25, 2021

IHOP adds burritos and bowls to meet off-premise demand

The causal chain's off-premise comp sales increased 154% during Q3, and the new more portable items are meant to be ideal for takeout and delivery. 

By Alicia Kelso • Jan. 20, 2021

Checkers & Rally's CMO on 'crunching' 2020 and being nimble in the new year

QSR veteran Dwayne Chambers explained how an in-house marketing team and the restaurant's drive-thru concept helped the chain score a record year.

By Chris Kelly • Jan. 14, 2021

White Castle revamps Valentine's Day event with drive-in, carhop service

Fans of the burger chain can book time for a socially distanced date through the OpenTable website or app.

By Robert Williams • Jan. 13, 2021

Burger King prioritizes digital with first rebrand in more than 20 years

With its all-encompassing visual update, the QSR chain also seeks to demonstrate its improvements to food quality and sustainability.

By Chris Kelly • Jan. 7, 2021

DoorDash drivers can now earn cash rewards

The benefits are part of the company's $12 million Dasher Rewards Program, which was announced in November, that offers additional incentives to the most active couriers.

By Alicia Kelso • Jan. 6, 2021

McDonald's stirs up chicken sandwich wars with 3 new entries

The sandwiches fulfill franchisees' demand for competitive new chicken offerings to better compete with Chick-fil-A, which the National Owners Association listed as a top priority in 2019. 

By Emma Liem Beckett • Jan. 5, 2021

How Sonic Drive-In swapped its iconic pitchmen for a 'pandemic-proof' campaign

Chief marketing officer Lori Abou Habib explains how the QSR shifted its focus from its long-running "Two Guys" to real families — right before COVID-19 upended the year.

By Chris Kelly • Dec. 23, 2020

Burger King sends customers $1 via Venmo to push new value menu

The $1 Your Way menu features a lineup of Burger King items all priced at $1, including the brand's take on the bacon cheeseburger and its Chicken Jr. sandwich.

By Peter Adams • Dec. 22, 2020

Starbucks suspends traffic-driving Happy Hours

The coffee chain has canceled at least three events and plans to reassess the promotion's safety in January. Last December, Happy Hours drove 11% traffic increases. 

By Alicia Kelso • Dec. 16, 2020

Grubhub offers free delivery in Chicago, NYC during winter

Through mid-March, the aggregator will offer its Grubhub+ subscription program to customers for free. It will also include local partner restaurants in the program at no additional cost.

By Julie Littman • Dec. 16, 2020

Uber now lets businesses offer branded vouchers for rides, meals

Companies can offer vouchers that show their logo, giving them a way to create branded experiences that serve as another touch point with customers.

By Robert Williams • Dec. 15, 2020

Panera, Pepsi bite into virtual pizza party trend

Starring comedian King Bach, the push spoofs pandemic-spurred trends like virtual parties and cocktail hours on videoconferencing services such as Zoom.

By Robert Williams • Dec. 14, 2020

Wendy's teams with Uber Eats on customized menus for Twitch gamers

The burger chain's "Never Stop Gaming Menu" includes combinations of items selected by five of the platform's most popular streamers.

By Robert Williams • Dec. 10, 2020

KFC gets steamy with Lifetime movie starring Mario Lopez as Col. Sanders

"A Recipe For Seduction" ties to a promotion with Uber Eats, as the marketer looks to link an ambitious original content play with commerce.

By Peter Adams • Dec. 7, 2020

McDonald's gives away McRibs to fans who shave their beards

The chain asks people to post photos of their clean-shaven faces to social media after observing No-Shave November to raise awareness about cancer.

By Robert Williams • Dec. 1, 2020

How QSRs can pivot their marketing to join the holiday conversation

Less travel and in-person shopping could mean fewer moments for fast food, but savvy restaurant brands still have opportunities to join in on the season.

By Chris Kelly • Nov. 25, 2020

Dunkin' pushes for TikTok followers with return of branded onesies

After its recent holiday merch drop mostly sold out, the brand is promising to bring back last year's onesie if it reaches two million TikTok followers.

By Robert Williams • Nov. 20, 2020

Chipotle turns fans into 'royalty' with TikTok challenge

The chain's latest campaign on the embattled video app gives users a chance to win $10,000 and turn their go-to orders into a temporary menu item.

By Robert Williams • Nov. 18, 2020

Over 30% of diners plan to cater a holiday meal, survey finds

Fifty-three percent of consumers also plan to buy a restaurant holiday gift card this season, according to a Tripleseat survey.

By Alicia Kelso • Nov. 18, 2020

Consumers expected to spend 29% more on restaurant gift cards, study says

Fifty-two percent of consumers plan to double their gift card purchases during the holidays, a trend that could help restaurants incentivize more diners to order out during the slow winter months.

By Alicia Kelso • Nov. 10, 2020

Arby's flips viral TikTok videos into special menu item

Inspiration for the campaign stems from a video of a user saying his new flat-screen TV only displayed a message from Arby's.

By Robert Williams • Nov. 9, 2020

Starbucks brews buzz for mobile ordering in new holiday campaign

With the tagline "Festive is a tap away, download the app today," the effort touts mobile ordering as the pandemic dissuades people from lingering in coffee houses.

By Robert Williams • Nov. 5, 2020