Baskin-Robbins teams with Netflix for 'Stranger Things'-inspired ice cream truck

Inspired by the show's Scoops Ahoy Ice Cream parlor, the activation is the latest brand partnership to bring the hit show to life.

By Dianna Christe • May 30, 2019

Sweetgreen unveils Pride-focused marketing campaign

The chain is also rolling out its first national print and marketing campaign this summer, and plans to donate $1 from every bowl sold on June 2 to a homeless assistance program targeting LGBTQ+ youth.

By Lauren Manning • May 29, 2019

Chipotle integrates Twitter with SMS to dole out free burritos to basketball fans

Every time announcers say the word "free" on-air during official NBA game coverage, attentive followers have a chance to score a meal.

By Peter Adams • May 29, 2019

Stop & Shop kicks off a food truck tour

The grocer joins a handful of restaurants, such as Red Robin and Auntie Anne's, using food trucks to market products to customers.

By Jennifer Sweeney • May 28, 2019

Burger King hosts 'Whopper Loans' contest to drive app orders

Customers who order food from the BK mobile app could win up to $100,000 to pay down their student debt.

By Robert Williams • May 24, 2019

Jimmy John's adds limited-time wine pairing

The sandwich chain joins the likes of Dunkin' and IHOP with the creation of a specialty alcoholic beverage meant to pair with new menu items. 

By Lauren Manning • May 23, 2019

DoorDash emulates restaurant pop-up trend in first integrated campaign

The multichannel effort launched Monday, showcasing national merchant partners like The Cheesecake Factory, Wendy's and Chipotle.  

By Peter Adams • May 20, 2019

Wendy's teams with GasBuddy to reach Memorial Day road-trippers

A new Badges feature on the app lets advertisers reach drivers based on their location.

By Robert Williams • May 20, 2019

Wingstop lets fans 'video bomb' its TV ad

Attendees were filmed using a custom video app and transposed into 15-second ads, with content appearing on a Times Square billboard and social media. 

By Robert Williams • May 17, 2019

Taco Bell is opening a hotel in brand's biggest lifestyle play

The "tacoasis" in Palm Springs, California, will include a pool, on-site salon and gift shop offering exclusive merchandise.

By Peter Adams • May 16, 2019

KFC's Spotify playlist curates hip-hop songs that mention the brand

Underscoring the brand's role in pop culture, the playlist is being promoted via street-based marketing in Paris.

By Barry Levine • May 14, 2019

Noodles & Company launches personalized nutrition calculator

The tool is available on the restaurant's website and mobile app, and allows diners to create dishes that are in line with keto, paleo, vegetarian and other lifestyle diets.

By Alicia Kelso • May 9, 2019

Chick-fil-A has the strongest QSR brand personality, study says

A Zion & Zion report ranked major fast food chains on five personality dimensions, placing Sonic and Dairy Queen close behind the chicken chain while Papa John's and Burger King earned low marks.

By Lauren Manning • May 9, 2019

Why restaurants need big data to succeed

As consumer restaurant spending grows, operators should build loyalty by leveraging key information about diner behavior, location and order preferences, says IgnitionOne COO Christopher Hansen.

By Chris Hansen • May 8, 2019

Google Lens can tell diners what to order at restaurants

Consumers can point their phone camera at a menu and the mobile feature will highlight popular meals with ratings and reviews from online platforms, a development that could reduce restaurants' control of their messaging.  

By Alicia Kelso • May 8, 2019

Google Maps trials crowdsourced images of restaurant dishes

The new app feature appears to aggregate photos of meals from submissions and reviews to match an image to a menu offering.

By Lauren Manning • May 7, 2019

Burger King campaign jabs at McDonald's Happy Meals

The chain's Real Meals come in different "moods" such as Blue and DGAF and encourages diners to fight pressures to appear happy. 

By Alicia Kelso • May 2, 2019

Denny's promotes brand revamp in multicultural push

In addition to its tech-focused overhaul geared towards millennials, a new multimedia campaign will target African-American and Hispanic diners. 

By Lauren Manning • May 2, 2019

Hardee's celebrates meat-only sandwich by planting 10M vegetables

The QSR brought back a popular roast beef sandwich with its tongue-in-cheek "Save the Veggies" campaign.

By Chris Kelly • April 30, 2019

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