Restaurants get creative with March Madness promotions

Every year, March Madness overtakes basketball junkies and casual fans alike for three weeks, presenting restaurants with the opportunity to increase their marketing presence and sales.

Only a few chains, like Domino’s Pizza and Buffalo Wild Wings, have taken on the significant expense of officially sponsoring the men’s NCAA basketball tournament, which tips off on March 19. But several other brands have planned creative March Madness promotions by thinking a little unconventionally.

Ann Arbor, Mich.-based Domino’s, the official pizza sponsor of the NCAA tournament, once again will offer its March Madness Perfect Combo for $19.99, which includes two medium one-topping pizzas, a 16-piece order of Parmesan Bread Bites, one order of Cinna Stix and a two-liter bottle of soda.

Buffalo Wild Wings, the Minneapolis-based casual-dining chain dubbed “the official hangout of March Madness,” has debuted new commercials for this year’s tournament. It will also run an augmented-reality “pop a shot” game on a new smartphone app, meant to encourage more guests to visit its restaurants during tournament games.

Hooters, Little Caesars and Freebirds World Burrito are among other chains looking to net some March Madness action.