Why QSR loyalty marketing misses 95% of diners and what to do about it

You know great loyalty programs can pay off for QSRs. But what many operators don't know is how many customers even the greatest loyalty initiatives miss. This…

Smokey Bones, virtual brands name marketing lead

March 18, 2021

Smokey Bones — which operates the casual dining restaurant of the same name as well as two virtual kitchen brands — The Wing Experience and The Burger…

How COVID-19 forced The Halal Guys to change marketing tactics

Ahmed Abouelenein, CEO of The Halal Guys, discusses how the New York-based chain's marketing tactics differ from pre-pandemic days.

How to Build a Digital Commerce Flywheel

There continues to be a disconnect between the digital and physical operations of most businesses. The pandemic has accelerated the adoption of technology that…

Pizza operators making Pi Day a numbers game

March 12, 2021

That annual celebration of the circle — or at least the ratio of a circle's circumference to its diameter (3.14) — is about to happen Sunday, March 14. The…

Did Uber Eats' Super Bowl ad miss the mark?

by Vanessa Montalbano

When Willy Solis, an Uber Eats driver from Denton, Texas, saw the company's $5.5 million commercial on Super Bowl night, he thought it was "kind of disgusting."

20 Fast Casual Brands to Watch in 2021

Although the pandemic has forced thousands of brands — old and new — to shutter, the newbies on our list of “20 Fast Casual Brands to Watch” are finding ways…

DoorDash, Chiney Ogwumike celebrate women-owned restaurants

March 8, 2021

DoorDash is partnering with Chiney Ogwumike, a WNBA all-star and television personality, to promote Made by Women, a digital in-app platform that champions…

Online Grocery Soars as Customer Satisfaction Falls

The growth of online food ordering is nothing short of staggering. In March 2020, consumers shifted the ways they shopped overnight - and there has been no…

Chipotle, E.l.f. Cosmetics launch makeup collection

March 4, 2021

Thanks to a partnership between E.l.f. Cosmetics and Chipotle, burrito fans can get their hands on Chipotle-inspired makeup palettes, which include eye shadow…

ParTech adds Lunchbox to POS ecosystem

February 26, 2021

ParTech Inc., a provider of POS software for the restaurant and retail industries, is weaving Lunchbox, a suite of online ordering tools, to its expanding…

A New Way to Work With Third-Party Partners

Many restaurants have chosen to use strictly in-store drivers, while others have chosen to rely on third-party providers. 2021 is ripe for a hybrid trend to…

I Heart Mac & Cheese revs up marketing efforts with NASCAR deal

February 19, 2021

Florida-based I Heart Mac & Cheese and More is making its racing debut Friday at the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series Race at the Daytona International…

Webinar explores how to use text message marketing

February 18, 2021

Text messaging is one of the hottest ways to market a foodservice brand, which explains why a recent webinar hosted by VIPinsiders and RepeatMD drew a record…

Chipotle debuts 'OMG, Chipotle is my life' T-shirt, bowl

February 18, 2021

Chipotle Mexican Grill is teaming up with 12-year-old Roy Murray, also known as the "Chipotle Is My Life" kid, for a limited-edition apparel drop, including…

El Pollo Loco commissions mural celebrating Black History Month

February 18, 2021

El Pollo Loco Inc. has commissioned a mural to celebrate Black History Month on the wall of its Vernon Avenue restaurant in South Los Angeles. The restaurant…

90% Open Rate? Why Your Brand Needs Text Message Marketing in 2021

In this webinar, VIPinsiders gives you a winning game plan to effectively use text message marketing in 2021.

Sweetgreen creating in-house agency

February 12, 2021

Sweetgreen has tapped Thomas Wilder, a former partner and creative director of Collins, a communications and design firm in New York City, as its first…

Virtual experiences + '90s nostalgia = perfect Valentine's Day for Shake Shack, Panera

by Cherryh Cansler — Publisher, FastCasual.com

Shake Shack and Panera bread are combining virtual experiences with '90s nostalgia to win customers' hearts on Valentine's Day.

'Boy Meets World' stars reunite for Panera commercial

February 9, 2021

Nearly 70% of Americans would be happy to receive comfort food instead of flowers for Valentine's Day this year and nearly 60% said they'd preferred it over a…