ST. LOUIS Mo. The 1,945-unit Hardee’s quick-service chain is trying cell-phone-delivered coupons in Indianapolis and St. Louis in a bid to boost traffic without the usual promotional costs.
Consumers can access digital buy-one-get-one-free coupons via their cellphones or web-equipped PDAs after downloading software from the coupon vendor's website. They can show the code on their mobile-device screen to a casher at the 114 participating Hardee’s units to get their free Hardee’s Buffalo Chicken Sandwich, Monster Biscuit or Large Chili Fries.
Hardee’s was interested in trying mobile coupons for two reasons, according to executive vice president of marketing Brad Haley. “One is the sales building potential and the other is the cost-avoidance piece,” or eliminating the expenses of printing and distributing conventional coupons, he said.
Hardee’s, based here, is a division of Carpinteria, Calif.-based CKE Restaurants Inc., which is also the parent of the Carl’s Jr. burger chain.