What restaurants need to know about Valentine’s Day BOGO, marketing and menu items

Last year’s holiday drove a 34% lift in restaurant food sales compared to the daily average for the year, a boost operators can recreate, writes Julie Gregg, director of market insights and competitive intelligence at Toast.

By Julie Gregg • Feb. 8, 2024

How Burger King’s AI-generated Whoppers reflect the brand’s heritage

CMO Pat O'Toole explains how the brand leaned into the buzzy tech with a focus on customized orders in an experience created by Media.Monks.

By Chris Kelly • Feb. 8, 2024

Sweetgreen adds annual loyalty subscription for $100

Enrollment in the company’s rewards program was up 25% during the back half of 2023, and an annual option could further accelerate membership growth.

By Aneurin Canham-Clyne • Feb. 2, 2024

Starbucks says ‘misperceptions’ of Middle East stance dragged US traffic

Visits to the coffee chain took a hit last quarter after customers called for a boycott of the brand when it sued Workers United over social media posts concerning Palestine.

By Aneurin Canham-Clyne • Feb. 2, 2024

Starbucks to capitalize on record loyalty membership with app improvements

Starbucks Reward members spent more than ever during Q1 2024, as the company looks to incentivize further patronage with greater personalization.

By Bryan Wassel • Feb. 1, 2024

McDonald’s Hamburglar hits the road in getaway vehicle for menu revamp

Consumers can keep an eye for a custom Burgercuda muscle car for the chance to win gift cards and mascot-themed merchandise.

By Peter Adams • Jan. 31, 2024

IHOP launches pancake of the month deal

The chain will offer a new pancake LTO every month, and loyalty members who partake are eligible for significant rewards.

By Aneurin Canham-Clyne • Jan. 29, 2024

Potbelly expands loyalty redemption options

The sandwich chain added dessert and side items to its redemption options and implemented spend-based tiers in its rewards platform. 

By Aneurin Canham-Clyne • Jan. 23, 2024

Taco Bell stages Las Vegas fan experience ahead of Super Bowl LVIII

A gathering in the style of tech conferences will preview new products and partnerships coming in 2024, all against a big game backdrop.

By Peter Adams • Jan. 12, 2024

How Papa Johns plans to boost margins, store-level profitability

The second phase of the pizza chain’s Back to Better initiative will focus on a new nationwide marketing strategy, development incentives for franchisees and supply chain improvements in North America.

By Julie Littman • Jan. 10, 2024

Taco Bell expands value menu

In a bid to boost value and increase digital engagement, Taco Bell is adding six value items and a veggie combo.

By Aneurin Canham-Clyne • Jan. 8, 2024

Kraft Heinz partners with Taco Bell on kits bringing restaurant chain’s offerings to the home

The offerings — the first of several Taco Bell at Home innovations planned for this year by the long-time collaborators — will be sold at Walmart.

By Christopher Doering • Jan. 4, 2024

Personalization will rule restaurant loyalty programs in 2024

Major chains are using real-time consumer data and artificial intelligence to provide more personalized perks, which may grow engagement even as diners’ emotional attachment to brands dips. 

By Danielle McLean • Jan. 4, 2024

Starbucks will accept diners’ personal mugs for drive-thru, app orders

The chain has implemented new equipment and standardized its process for fulfilling personal cup orders following a 200 drive-thru-store test last year. 

By Aneurin Canham-Clyne • Jan. 3, 2024

Chipotle curates workouts on Strava to support New Year’s resolutions

Fitness enthusiasts can run or walk various route segments on Strava that end at Chipotle restaurants for a chance to win free Lifestyle Bowls.

By Aaron Baar • Jan. 2, 2024

Burger King turns hangovers into discounts with facial recognition

In the tradition of its “Whopper Detour” and “Burn that Ad” campaigns, the chain’s latest stunt uses mobile technology to drive engagement.

By Chris Kelly • Dec. 21, 2023

How c-stores are using food, merch and more to boost holiday traffic

Whether it’s festive coffees, ugly sweaters or even a seasonally themed pic from Wally’s photo booth, c-stores are taking a variety of approaches to engaging customers.

By Christine Blank • Dec. 19, 2023

Papa Johns taps The Martin Agency, Carat in agency shakeup

Both shops pitched the pizza chain on insight-driven strategies that can drive cultural relevance and improve areas like targeting and loyalty.  

By Chris Kelly • Dec. 13, 2023

Pizza Hut celebrates delivery drivers with QR code doormat and free pizza

Delivery drivers who see the Reverse Delivery doormat displayed on a doorstep can scan the QR code to receive a courtesy pizza.

By Jessica Deyo • Dec. 11, 2023

Why Domino’s is awarding half a million dollars in snow plowing grants

Chief Brand Officer Kate Trumbull explained how the chain’s latest effort shows off an "experienced by few, seen by many" ethos.

By Chris Kelly • Dec. 4, 2023

Make your restaurant the entertainment go-to place with DIRECTV FOR BUSINESS

Ensure your restaurant is set up to keep your guests coming back week after week, season after season.

Dec. 4, 2023

McDonald’s reinvents McNugget Buddies for streetwear-minded adults

For its latest nostalgia play, the chain teamed with multifaceted artist and influencer Kerwin Frost to put a new spin on the iconic collectibles.

By Chris Kelly • Nov. 30, 2023

Subway will bring footlong cookie to permanent menu

When the sandwich chain debuted the oblong dessert at a Miami “Cookieway” pop-up last year, supply ran out in less than two hours.

By Aneurin Canham-Clyne • Nov. 29, 2023

Don’t miss out! Bring two exclusive NFL games and more premium content to your guests with EverPass Media

Learn how your business can stream exclusive NFL games, Big Ten basketball and more through Peacock Sports Pass via EverPass Media.

Nov. 27, 2023

Are celebrity-backed virtual brands worth the risks?

A string of messy and high-profile lawsuits over MrBeast Burger have put the category’s challenges under a spotlight, but experts say there may be opportunity in an omnichannel second act for virtual brands.

By Aneurin Canham-Clyne • Nov. 20, 2023