LOS ANGELES Chipotle Mexican Grill was the only multiple-category winner at the 2007 Eat & Ear Awards for excellence in television and radio advertising held Oct. 1 at the Hyatt Regency Century Plaza hotel here. —
PepsiCo Foodservice sponsored the awards presentation, held in conjunction with the Multi-Unit Foodservice Operators conference staged by Nation’s Restaurant News. Scott Siers, PepsiCo’s vice president of industry relations and business development, teamed with NRN Online executive editor Peter Romeo to present winners with their plaques. —
Denver-based Chipotle took home honors for the best single radio commercial from a company with more than $500 million in annual sales for its “Call Me Avocado” spot. Jim Adams, the chain’s executive director of marketing, made a second trip to the stage when Chipotle claimed the prize for best radio ad produced for less than $3,500: “You Can Choose.” —
Following are winners for other categories, based on the chain or company’s reported annual sales, and the title of the winning commercial or a sample commercial from a campaign: —
Best single TV commercial for sales of more than $500 million: Boston Pizza International of Richmond, British Columbia, “Simply Italian.” — Best TV campaign for sales of more than $500 million: Red Robin Gourmet Burgers Inc. of Greenwood Village, Colo., including “Dye Pack.” — Best single TV commercial for sales of between $100 million and $500 million: Bojangles’ Restaurants Inc. of Charlotte, N.C., “Dream, Jeff Gordon.” — Best single radio spot for sales of between $100 million and $500 million: CiCi’s Pizza of Coppell, Texas, “Royalty.” — Best TV campaign for sales of between $100 million and $500 million: Taco Bueno Restaurants of Farmers Branch, Texas, including “Campout.” — Best radio ad campaign for sales of between $100 million and $500 million: Don Pablo’s of Madison, Ga., including “All U Can Eat.” — Best single TV commercial for sales of less than $100 million: Quaker Steak & Lube of Sharon, Pa., “Checkered Plate Specials.” — Best single radio spot for sales of less than $100 million: Hacienda Mexican Restaurants of South Bend, Ind., “The Office.” — Best TV campaign for sales of less than $100 million: Bono’s Pit Bar-B-Q of Jacksonville, Fla., including “Euphoria, Conductor.” — Best radio campaign for sales of less than $100 million: Farmer Boys Foods Inc. of Riverside, Calif., including “Dear Farmer Boys.” — Best use of humor in a TV commercial: Melting Pot Restaurants of Tampa, Fla., “Boardroom.” — Best use of humor in a radio commercial: Buffalo Wild Wings Inc. of Minneapolis, “Six Degrees.” — Best TV commercial produced for $10,000 or less: Freebirds World Burritos of College Station, Texas, “Camping.” —
