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On the Border live-streams concertsOn the Border live-streams concerts

Mexican concept broadcasts first July music series systemwide

Ron Ruggless, Senior Editor

July 5, 2016

2 Min Read
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On The Border Mexican Grill & Cantina is expanding the reach of its inaugural July concert series through audio-live streams to its domestic system and Facebook Live broadcasts to others who might not be in a restaurant.

The Dallas-based casual-dining brand, is broadcasting concerts at restaurants in five separate cities to its entire system through YouTube and PlayNetwork, the chain’s in-store music provider, and to individuals through a Facebook Live steam.

“Summer is the bull’s eye time of year for our brand,” said Ashley Zickefoose, chief marketing officer for On the Border, in an interview Friday at the inaugural concert at the On the Border in Addison, Texas. “We have patios, and a lot of other brands don’t have patios.”

The live music fit well into the patio energy of the brand, Zickefoose said, and the company tapped “into the power of technology” to expand the concert series reach.

On the Border created a private YouTube channel, and that channel is plugged into the PlayNetwork system in each of the stores to audio-stream the music live, Zickefoose explained.

On the Board used Facebook Live “so guests could view the concert on their phone or mobile devices,” she said.

The first concert was July 1 at the Addison restaurant with the local groups Rise & Shine as well as Charley Crockett. Additional concerts are planned for: July 8 in San Diego, Calif.; July 15 in Bedford, Texas; July 22 in Princton, N.J.; and July 29 in Naperville, Ill.

In addition to concerts, On the Border teamed with the Avocados from Mexico trade group and Budweiser to provide special deals on $2.50 appetizer guacamole and $2.50 Estrella Jalisco beer in most locations.

The concert promotion was expanded with a micro website, and hashtags #RocktheBorder #PatiOTB.

On The Border is owned by Border Holdings LLC and has more than 150 restaurants in 34 states, Puerto Rico, Asia and the Middle East.

Contact Ron Ruggless at [email protected]
Follow him on Twitter: @RonRuggless

About the Author

Ron Ruggless

Senior Editor, Nation’s Restaurant News / Restaurant Hospitality

Ron Ruggless serves as a senior editor for Informa Connect’s Nation’s Restaurant News (NRN.com) and Restaurant Hospitality (Restaurant-Hospitality.com) online and print platforms. He joined NRN in 1992 after working 10 years in various roles at the Dallas Times Herald newspaper, including restaurant critic, assistant business editor, food editor and lifestyle editor. He also edited several printings of the Zagat Dining Guide for Dallas-Fort Worth, and his articles and photographs have appeared in Food & Wine, Food Network and Self magazines. 

Ron Ruggless’ areas of expertise include foodservice mergers, acquisitions, operations, supply chain, research and development and marketing. 

Ron Ruggless is a frequent moderator and panelist at industry events ranging from the Multi-Unit Foodservice Operators (MUFSO) conference to RestaurantSpaces, the Council of Hospitality and Restaurant Trainers, the National Restaurant Association’s Marketing Executives Group, local restaurant associations and the Horeca Professional Expo in Madrid, Spain.

Ron Ruggless’ experience:

Regional and Senior Editor, Informa Connect’s Nation’s Restaurant News and Restaurant Hospitality (1992 to present)

Features Editor – Dallas Times Herald (1989-1991)

Restaurant Critic and Food Editor – Dallas Times Herald (1987-1988)

Editing Roles – Dallas Times Herald (1982-1987)

Editing Roles – Charlotte (N.C.) Observer (1980-1982)

Editing Roles – Omaha (Neb.) World-Herald (1978-1980)

Email: [email protected]

Social media:

Twitter@RonRuggless

LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/ronruggless

Instagram: @RonRuggless

TikTok: @RonRuggless

 

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