Marketing Bites

The weekly column from Managing Editor Heather Lalley, looking at the restaurant industry's latest marketing gimmicks, trends and campaigns.

Marketing

Restaurants: Don’t let your marketing stunt land you in the doghouse

By Heather Lalley on May 15, 2024

Marketing Bites: How a hot dog chain’s Bluey promo went awry. Plus: Zaxby’s partners with MrBeast and Popeyes jabs Chick-fil-A.

Marketing

How Chick-fil-A’s social media loss became El Pollo Loco’s gain

By Heather Lalley on May 08, 2024

Marketing Bites: When one chicken chain told influencer Miri the Siren she could no longer make videos, she found several others who are relishing the engagement her content brings.

Marketing

For restaurants, value messaging is more important than ever

By Heather Lalley on May 01, 2024

Marketing Bites: It’s been a rough start to the year for many chains. Plus: Restaurants celebrate moms, nurses and more in May.

Marketing

April 20 gives restaurants a new meaning for 'in the weeds'

By Heather Lalley on Apr. 18, 2024

Marketing Bites: As recreational marijuana is legalized in more states and consumers relax their attitudes around the drug, restaurants large and small are having some fun on 4-20, widely considered a national day of pot celebration.

Marketing

David Chang and the case of the chili crunch trademark

By Heather Lalley on Apr. 10, 2024

Marketing Bites: The celebrity chef is getting some less-than-positive press this week. Plus, Chipotle burritos don the green jacket and Wow Bao’s metaverse debut.

Marketing

Shake Shack wants a spring in its step

By Heather Lalley on Apr. 03, 2024

Marketing Bites: The burger chain is counting down to warmer weather, restaurants look to soften the Tax Day blow and Cava turns to TikTok for menu inspiration.

Marketing

Beware the menu fools of April

By Heather Lalley on Mar. 27, 2024

Marketing Bites: April Fools’ Day is nigh, and nary a restaurant chain marketer can be trusted.

Marketing

Restaurants brighten menus with total solar eclipse specials

By Heather Lalley on Mar. 21, 2024

Marketing Bites: Not wanting to miss out on a marketing opportunity that won’t come around again for 20 years, big chains and indies are getting in on the celestial action.

Marketing